1. Theories of Sociology “the brain of it all”

2. Objectives: At the end of this unit students will be able to: O Identify and explain the three major sociological theories as well as all important vocabulary associated with those theories. (social darwinism, function, dysfunctional, manifest function, latent function, symbol) O Identify sociology as a social science as well as be able to explain how it applies to as well as is different from other social sciences. O Explain what the sociological imagination is as well as its impact our their lives today.

3. Helps us view the world from a different “perspective”

4. Understanding how we can make a difference… Video Clip

5. Elevator Ride O Article in your perception packet.

6. 3 Perspectives of Sociology O - Conflict Perspective O - Functionalist Perspective O - Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

7. Why study Sociology? O Gain a new perspective on, or view of, yourself and the world around you. DON’T JUST EAT THE ICING ON THE CAKE, LOOK WHAT’S INSIDE…..

8. Sociological Perspectives O Sociological Perspective: looking at social life in a scientific systematic way, rather than depending on common-sense explanations. O Look beyond commonly held beliefs to the hidden meanings behind human actions. DON’T JUST EAT THE ICING ON THE CAKE, LOOK WHAT’S INSIDE…..

9. How do you make the world better? O How do you affect the miniature earth that you live in? O “Be the change you want to see in the world” O http://www.stservicemovie.com/ http://www.stservicemovie.com/

10. TOUGH QUESTION #1: O Question 1: If you knew a woman who was pregnant, who had 8 kids already, three who were deaf, two who were blind, one mentally retarded and she had syphilis; would you recommend that she have an abortion?

11. TOUGH QUESTION #1 If you said yes, you just killed Beethoven. (he was the baby)

12. TOUGH QUESTION #2: O Question 2: It is time to elect a new world leader, and your vote counts. Here are the facts about the three leading candidates : O Candidate A: Associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologists. He’s had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day. O Candidate B: He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a quart of whisky every evening. O Candidate C: He is a decorated war hero. He’s a vegetarian, doesn’t smoke, drinks an occassional beer and hasn’t had any extramarital affairs. O Which of these candidates would be your choice?

13. TOUGH QUESTION #2 O Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt O Candidate B is Winston Churchill O Candidate C is Adolph Hitler

14. How does this affect your perception? O ENVIRONMENT – what do you see? O How does a sociologist use these clues to identify problems and offer potential solutions? O Broken Window Theory O George Kelling O (Urban Sociologist)

15. BROKEN WINDOW THEORY - O Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it's unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside. O Or consider a sidewalk. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of trash from take-out restaurants there or breaking into cars.

16. Sociological Perspective O Someone who can’t find a job is………… O Homelessness is the result of……………… O Immigrants come here because……………

17. Sociological Perspective O Individual Responsibilities Societal Responsibilities

18. Sociological Imagination O Ability to see the connection between the larger world and your personal life. O “The capacity to range from the most impersonal and remote topics to the most intimate features of the human self – and to see the relations between the two.” O All good sociologists and students of sociology must possess this ability. You will use this throughout the entire semester in this class. Lets try it right now!!! (Illustration Activity)

19. Can you visualize a connection? Use your imagination…..sociological, that is…

20. Sociological Imagination DID YOU KNOW?

21. The Family of Social Sciences O Introduction to the Social Sciences: O Anthropology – comparative study of past and present cultures O Most similar to sociology O Psychology – deals with the behavior and thinking of organisms O Economics – study of the choices people make in an effort to satisfy their needs and wants. O Political Science – The examination of organization and operation of governments. O History – the study of past events O Sociology – the study of human society and social behavior

22. Conflict Perspective O Focus on the forces in society that promote competition and change O View social life as a competing power struggle among competing social groups O Karl Marx – groups in society are engaged in a continuous power struggle for control of scarce resources O Haves vs. Have nots O A few power elite make all the choices….?

23. Conflict Theory O Conflict may occur over differences in values & interests O Conflict may range from hostility, tension, competition, and rivalry to outright violence O Conflict with outside forces binds group members together O Conflict over issues may lead to positive social change

24. Functionalist Perspective O View society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system O Survive on consensus – meaning most people agree on what is good for society, and then work together to ensure that the social system runs smoothly. O Founders – Comte, Spencer

25. HUMAN BODY EXAMPLE Normal vs. Abnormal Structure & Function

26. Types of Functions: O Manifest Function – O Intended and recognized O Latent Function – O Unintended & recognized Applications – What are the functions of…..

27. Applying Functionalism O Manifest - O Latent Functions- O Latent Dysfunctions

28. High School – in general O Manifest - O Latent -

29. What is the function of Higher School? MANIFEST FUNCTION (intended) O Transmission of culture O Facilitating class / racial / ethnic integration O Creates a informed citizenry O Produce cognitive skills O Screening, sorting, selecting talent O Developing new knowledge

30. What is the function of Higher School? LATENT FUNCTION (unintended) O Delaying entry into the workplace O Babysitting so parents can work O Teaching discipline & obedience O Reproduction of social class

31. Education - Crash & Burn Miss South Carolina Video Clip

32. Interactionist O Focuses on how individuals interact with one another in Society, and the shared meanings they place on their own actions and the actions of others. O MEANS OF COMMUNICATION!! O Primary groups are the most impactful (family, peer group, school mates, coworkers) O Bottom line – life wouldn’t make sense SYMBOLIC

33. Symbols in everyday life O Without symbols – there would be no aunts, dads, employers, teachers, or even brothers or sisters. O Symbols define what our relationships are. O Behavior – different among parents, peers, boyfriend / girlfriend?

34. O Simple Symbols Scenario: Suppose that you are head over heels in love with someone and are going to marry this person tomorrow. The night before your wedding, your mother confides in you that she had a child before she married, and gave it up for adoption. She then tells you that she has just discovered that the person you are going to marry is this child. How does this symbol change your mind?

35. Interactionist Perspective contd. O Use of Symbols – O Physical Objects, gestures, words, and events. O Examples?

36. FIRE!!

37. Symbols O United States

38. Symbols with cross cultural meanings O Example: Meaning?

39. Symbols Satanic? Peace? Nuclear Disarmament?

41. “Miss”use of Symbols – Why? O Just don’t do it…..

42. Isn’t Sociology Sweet? O We must look deeper into understanding situations around us…..let’s not get “stuck” On the ride……. Clip