1. Sociology – The Study of Social Structure
Why is it unique – always focuses on the social or group level

2. Social Sciences
Sociology – studies human social behavior from a group perspective
Anthropology – studies culture, beliefs, and material traits of groups in pre literate societies
Psychology – mental and emotional processes
Economics – production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
Political Science – organization, administration and history of governments
History – past events in human societies

3. Why are patterns important
Social structure – is the patterned interaction of people in social relationships (This is what sociologists pay attention to)
Sociologists assume that social relationships are not determined by the particular characteristics of the individuals involved
Ex. Emile Durkheim used Bronze as an example of this
Ex. Mob mentality – people doing things they normally would not
Tragedy or Joy can change group behavior
Ex. Aggie Bonfire collapsing

5. Why do People Conform? All groups encourage conformity
All members think, feel, and behave in similar ways
Ex. Diet, dress, religion, attitudes toward family

6. The Sociological Imagination
People don’t make decisions in isolation
Ex. Family size in America
Sociological imagination helps us understand the effects of events on our daily lives
With this understanding we are better prepared to make our own decisions rather than conform
Sociological Imagination challenges conventional social wisdom
Conventional wisdom – ideas people assume are true
Ex. Newspaper article against welfare

7. Origins of Sociology
Began in late 19th Century Europe after the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution

8. Auguste Comte (1798 – 1857) French
Recognized as the father of Sociology
Believed scientific study of society was needed for societies to advance
Coined the term Sociology
Positivism – scientific observation to study social behavior
Distinguished b/w social statics ( stability and order) and social dynamics (social change

9. Harriet Martieau (1802 – 1876) English
Middle class origins and became a writer as a source of personal income
As a child she lost her much of her sense of taste, smell , and sound
Best known for her translation of Comte’s book Positive Philosophy
Wrote Society in America, which, established her as a pioneering feminist theorist
She linked slavery to the oppression of women

10. Herbert Spencer (1820 – 1903) English
Compared Society to the human body to explain social stability
Introduced the term Social Darwinism
Evolutionary social change led to progress – provided people did not interfere
Opposed social reform b/c it interfered with the selection process

11. Karl Marx (1818 – 1883) German Did not consider himself a sociologist
Believed that social scientists should try to change the world rather than study it
Thought that all industrial societies would eventually have only 2 class (bourgeoisie and proletariat)
Class conflict drove society
Ultimately the proletariat would overthrow the bourgeoisie and a classless (communist) society would emerge

12. Emile Durkheim (1858 – 1917) French
1st to teach a university sociology course
Pre-industrial societies were based on mechanical solidarity
Widespread consensus of values and beliefs, strong social pressure to conform, and dependence on family and tradition
Industrial societies were based on organic solidarity
Social interdependency based on a web of highly specialized roles. These roles make people dependent on one another for goods and services
Introduced the use of statistical techniques in his research on suicide
Showed that human social behavior must be explained by social factors rather than psychological ones

13. Max Weber (1864 – 1920) German
A university professor trained in law and economics
Had a complete mental breakdown, but was able to recover do to some of his best work
Wrote about the nature of power, religions of the world, the nature of social class, and the nature of bureaucracy
Believed in the method verstehen
Understanding the social behavior of others by putting yourself mentally in their place
Identified rationalization as a key influence in the change from preindustrial to industrial society
Ex. Agriculture being based in science rather than luck, or magic

14. Sociology in America Majority of all sociologists are from the U.S.
1892 – University of Chicago opened the 1st sociology department
Was the leader until WWII
After WWII departments at Harvard, Columbia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Stanford, and U.C. Berkeley emerged as leaders

15. Jane Addams (1860 – 1935)
Co-founded the Hull House in Chicago’s slums, where people who needed refuge – immigrants, the sick, poor, or elderly could find help
Had sociologist form University of Chicago visit to see first hand the exploitation of the lower class
Active in women’s suffrage and peace movements
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931
The only sociologist to win this prize

16. W.E.B DuBois (1868 – 1963) African American
Ph.D from Harvard in 1895
Experienced racial discrimination and segregation 1st hand
Analyzed the sophisticated social structures of black communities
1st in Philly then later in many other places including other countries
Active in the Pan African Movement

17. Theoretical Perspectives
A set of assumptions about an area of study believed true
Competing, even conflicting theories usually exist at the same time (just like in physics and chemistry)
3 overarching theoretical perspectives
Functionalism
Conflict Theory
Symbolic interactionism

18. Functionalism Emphasizes the contributions of each part of society
Sees all parts of society as an integrated whole
A change to one will change the others
Ex. Industrial revolution
Assumes a trend to return to stability after some upheaval and will be similar to what it was
Ex. Student protests in the 60’s

20. Functionalism cont.
Believes most parts of society work to promote survival and well being, otherwise it would disappear
Robert Merton (1996)
Manifest functions – intended and recognized
Latent functions – unintended and unrecognized
Dysfunction – elements w/ negative consequences

21. Conflict Perspective
Emphasizes conflict, competition, change, and constraint
Opposite of functionalism
Groups and societies compete as they attempt to preserve and promote their own special values and interests
Those with the most power get the largest share of valuables
Social change happens b/c a shift in power
Ex. Woman’s rights

23. Symbolic Interactionism
Charles Horton Cooley & George Herbert Mead created symbolic interactionism
Herbert Blumer coined the term symbolic interactionism and outlined 3 assumptions
The meanings of symbols are learned by viewing others reactions to them
Once the meaning of a symbol is learned we base behavior on them
Symbols permit people to have internal conversations, thus allowing them to act the way others expect & the way they expect others to act
Erving Goffman introduced dramaturgy
Like actors people present themselves through dress, gestures and tone of voice
Presentation of self or impression management