1. The Big 5

2. The Founders of Sociology
August Comte (French) ( )
Father of Sociology
Humanity can be bettered through science and its application to society.
Social Dynamics
Scientific method
Order and Change

3. The Founders of Sociology
Herbert Spencer (German) (1820 – 1903)
Society is like living organism.
Social Darwinism

4. The Founders of Sociology
Karl Marx ( 1818 – 1883) German
Basis of society is economic organization.
Divided society
Those who own means of production
Those who own their labor
Imbalance of power leads to conflict
Conflict leads to change

5. The Founders of Sociology
Emile Durkheim (1858 – 1917) French
Apply methods of science to study society (stats)
Society as a system of functional parts
Social Integration (glue)
Values and beliefs
Your connection to society relates to your actions.
Suicide those more connected are less likely to kill themselves.

6. The Founders of Sociology
Max Weber ( 1864 – 1920)
Groups within society
Did not believe economics was central force, but that it was religion instead.
Example:
Durkheimer and Marx would view a family as a structure – father, mother, children, each linked in certain physical or legal ways.
Weber would view the family as a set of actions – the action of living together and sharing activities.
Verstehen
Ideal Type
Work and ideas partnered with Durkheim

7. Opening Question:
On a blank sheet of paper (that you will turn in today)
Which of the 5 philosophers do you think was most rational in his analysis of society?
What are three reasons for your choice?

8. Different Perspectives
Functionalist
(Structural Functionalist)
Conflict Theory
Interactionist
(Symbolic Interactionist)

9. Functionalism
View society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system.
Society is held together through consensus
Function: things that make positive contributions
Dysfunction: Things that make negative contributions

10. Functionalism
Manifest function: Intended and recognized consequence of some element of society
Latent function: Unintended and unrecognizable consequence of an element of society

11. Conflict Theory
Marx
Focuses on the forces that promote competition and change
How do those who possess more power in society exercise control over those with less power

12. Conflict Theory
Competition over resources is the basis for all conflict
Change is inevitable

13. Interactionist
Weber
Focus on how individuals interact with one another in society
Social Psychology
How do individuals respond in everyday situations
Looks at pieces of big picture

14. Interactionist Role of Symbols Members agree on the meaning of symbols
Often called Symbolic Interactionist
Studies child development, relationships within groups, mate selection etc.
Popular within the U.S.

15. Your task today:
You are to try to explain how each perspective would view and explain the following aspects of society.
They are given to you on your sheet. Answer as completely as possible.

16. School What would Functionalism say? What would Conflict theory say?
What would Interactionist say?

17. A Worker strike What would Functionalism say?
What would Conflict theory say?
What would Interactionist say?

18. Iraq War What would Functionalism say? What would Conflict theory say?
What would Interactionist say?

19. Homelessness in America
What would Functionalism say?
What would Conflict theory say?
What would Interactionist say?

20. Sporting events What would Functionalism say?
What would Conflict theory say?
What would Interactionist say?

21. Drug use What would Functionalism say? What would Conflict theory say?
What would Interactionist say?

22. Religion What would Functionalism say? What would Conflict theory say?
What would Interactionist say?

23. Gangs What would Functionalism say? What would Conflict theory say?
What would Interactionist say?

24. Your idea here: _________
What would Functionalism say?
What would Conflict theory say?
What would Interactionist say?

25. Exit Question:
Which perspective seems like the most rational when viewing aspects of society?
What are three reasons for your choice?
Turn in your sheet with your questions before you leave!