Introduction to Sociology

What is Sociology? The study of society and how people interact Relatively young – only about 200 years old

History of Sociology Industrial Revolution (Great Britain) Enlightenment French Revolution/American Revolution

Economic Change Chaos to Industrial Revolution Feudalism to Capitalism, Imperialism Agriculture to manufacturing Farm to city (urbanization) Peasant to laborer Family to factory

Political Change French/American Revolution Monarchy to Republic disappearance of Imperialism/ Colonialism Less focus on God and more focus on individualism (Enlightenment)

All of these things bring about change! Family Religion Politics Economy

Types of Human Societies Hunting and gathering societies are societies in which all of the dietary intake of the members of the society is obtained by some combination of hunting, trapping, collecting shellfish, fishing and collecting edible plant materials.

Types of Human Societies Horticultural societies are those societies in which the major portion of the dietary intake of the members is obtained from crops which are grown on land which is cleared by the slash and burn technique.

Types of Human Societies Pastoral societies are societies in which the major portion of the livelihood of members is derived from the products obtained from herds of domesticated animals.

Types of Human Societies Agrarian societies are societies which are based upon crops which are produced in conjunction with the use of the plow technique. The relatively high level of agricultural productivity in this type of society provides a situation favorable for the development of complex systems of social stratification and large permanent cities.

Types of Human Societies Industrial Societies began to emerge with the so called Industrial Revolution which is generally agreed to have its origins with the invention of the steam engine (actually several improvements in the already existing steam engine) by James Watt in or around 1769 in England. Industrial societies combine science and technology with the utilization of energy to run machines.

Types of Human Societies The Postindustrial society is characterized by the use of electronic manipulation and transmission of information. The advent of radio followed by the television, along with the development and evolution of the computer, are fundamental technological developments associated with the development of the postindustrial society.