THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSEPCTIVE: PART II LECTURE 3 07/06/2015

Agenda The Origins of Sociology Divisions within Sociology Classical Sociological Theorists and their Theories Class Activity: Comparing and Contrasting Theoretical Explanations for a Social Problem

When was sociology ‘born?’ Sociology is a relatively ‘young’ discipline (19th Century Invention) But…. Questions about society have existed since antiquity Proto-sociological perspectives used to understand Ancient Greek Society Plato’s The Republic Non-Western cultures Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406) and ‘social cohesion’

So when was sociology born? Sociology as philosophy Antiquity Sociology as science 19th Century

Auguste Comte and Positivism Auguste Comte (1798-1857) was the first draft a method for studying society “Social Physics” was the name Comte gave this study (we now know it as sociology) Emphasized positivism (i.e. the perspective that sense perceptions are the only way to really gain knowledge in any valid way) Argued for the use of the scientific method when explaining society Went so far as to claim that we can understand society by Unlocking ‘social equations’

Martineau makes sociology accessible to English Speakers Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) Translated Comte’s work into English Wrote the first sociological methods book How to Observe Morals and Manners Critiqued the institution of marriage and set groundwork for future English feminist social scientists

Spencer makes sociology appealing to the British and Americans Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) Society as evolving ‘organism’ “Survival of the fittest” The Study of Sociology and The Principles of Sociology Set sociology as a serious discipline in the English-speaking world

The Big 3/4 Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) Karl Marx (1818-1883) Structural Functionalism Karl Marx (1818-1883) Conflict Theory Max Weber (1864-1920) Verstehen “The Iron Cage” Georg Simmel (1858-1918)’ Social interactions

Micro and Macro Perspectives Distinguish between MICROsociology and MACROsociology A microsociologist cares about….? Small-scale questions Social interactions A macrosociologist cares about….? Large questions Society-wide social dynamics

Key Theories: Structural Functionalism The theory that various social institutions and processes in society exist to serve some important (or necessary) function to keep society running The goal of society is to maintain equilibrium Everything has a manifest function and latent function Manifest= obvious, intended function Latent= less-obvious, often unintended function

Manifest and Latent functions of…

Pros and Cons to Structural Functionalism Grand theory Includes all social institutions Focus on societal stability Cons Does not focus on individuals (ignores them) Social ills that exist in society serve a purpose and our necessary The only time something is ‘bad’ is when it creates dysfunction in society

Conflict Theory The theory that conflict between competing interests is the basic, animating force of social change and society in general Focus on class divisions and power differentials Inequality is unfair and should be eradicated Feminist theory as a type of conflict theory

Pros and Cons of Conflict Theory Allows for praxis or practical action that is taken on the basis of intellectual or theoretical understanding Advocates for justice and equality for all Cons Ignores the aspects of society that work well May overstate the reason for inequality Conflates equity with inequality

Symbolic Interactionism A micro-level theory in which shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions form the basic motivations behind people’s action America’s theoretical contribution Basic tenets We act toward things on the basis of their meanings Meanings are created through interactions Meanings can change through interactions

Pros and Cons of Symbolic Interactionism Focus on individuals as actors Ever-changing Cons Ignores structures Unscientific Limited when explaining society as a whole

Postmodernism A condition characterized by a questioning of the notion of progress and history, the replacement of narrative with pastiche, and multiple, perhaps even conflicting identities resulting from disjointed affiliations What???? Essentially, Social reality is constantly in flux. Always changing.

Pros and Cons of Postmodernism Provides an alternative point of view Largely focused on individual interpretation Cons Rejects the idea of facts and reality Prevents obtaining the goal of science: generalizability

For next time… Skim all of Chapter 2 (43-69) Pay particular attention to the distinction between Quantitative Methods and Qualitative Methods, Inductive vs. Deductive approaches, distinction between correlation and causation, and the types of data collection For our class activity, come ready to discuss a research question regarding a social issue/phenomenon and how you would go about answering that question in a scientific way For example, “Are female professors viewed differently than male professors? If so, why?” Quote of the day: “If someone shows you who they are, believe them.” Maya Angelou