1. The Sociological Imagination

2. Introduction C. Wright Mills (1916-1962) coined the phrase “sociological imagination” “The ability to see the connection between personal troubles and social structures” Neither the life of a individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both

3. Examples: When (socio-economic) classes rise or fall, a man is employed or unemployed; When the rate of investment goes up or down, a man prospers or goes broke (i.e. stock market) When war breaks out, a man leaves his job as an insurance agent and goes to work in a missile factory

4. Origins The sociological imagination was born when three modern revolutions pushed people to think about society in entirely new ways

5. Origins The Scientific Revolution (1550) Encouraged the view that sound conclusions about the workings of society must be based on solid evidence, not just speculation

6. Origins The Democratic Revolution (1750) Suggested that people are responsible for organizing society Human intervention can therefore solve some social problems (THINK! How do we act on this today here in the US?) Society can experience massive change in a short period of time (American Revolution) Most importantly: People control society

7. Origins The Industrial Revolution (1780) Created lots of serious, new social problems (i.e. over-crowding in cities, child labor, pollution) Presented social thinkers with pressing new social problems Their response….? ….the sociological imagination How can an individual help society as a whole?