What is “sociology”?

Sociology is the systematic study of social behavior and human groups.

…says our book. It goes on to say that sociology: “…focuses primarily on the influence of social relationships on people’s [=individuals’] attitudes and behavior, and on how societies are established and change.”

It is also possible, though, to answer the question “What is sociology It is also possible, though, to answer the question “What is sociology?” by saying that… “Sociology” is a late-comer among the social sciences; It is a cluster of heterogeneous research programs and theories that splits into a large number of sub-disciplines, (Anthropology, Economics, Political Sciences, Psychology But preserves a sense of unity by invoking a shared heritage.

In other words, Similar to how people maintain their unity by telling themselves stories of shared experiences and genealogies that trace a common origin, Sciences also have their narratives of how they became what they are. And this is the story of sociology in its briefest version:

Origins of Sociology Sociology did not emerge as a distinct discipline until the 19th century The rise of the discipline can be attributed to the following; Imperialism Europeans conquered many parts of the world. They were exposed to radically different cultures. Startled by contrasting ways of life, they began to ask why cultures differed.

Origins of Sociology 2. Scientific Revolution/ Enlightenment; reason and rationality use of scientific tools to inquire into social facts, began to replace religious, traditional forms of authority 3. Industrial Revolution Industrialization and Capitalism were changing economic patterns, growth of cities 4. The Political Revolution more democratic values and standards were being adopted

Sociological Perspective Seeing the general in the particular Seeing the strange in the familiar A collective view beyond the individual view Peter Berger (1963:23) “the first wisdom of sociology is this—things are not what they seem…Social reality turns out to have many layers of meaning.”

The Sociological Perspective OBSERVATIONS ARE CERTAINLY IMPACTED BY THE PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES THROUGH WHICH PEOPLE COME TO VIEW THE WORLD 2 2 3 3 3 3 3

THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE: PETER BERGER SEE THE GENERAL IN THE PARTICULAR General Social Patterns in the Behavior of Particular Individuals Individuals are unique…but Society’s social forces shape us into “KINDS” of people Consider these People more likely to kill themselves People more likely to go and succeed in college and enjoy a favorable quality of life 7 10

Seeing the General in the Particular 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 African Americans Whites 10.9 20.2 6.2 12.4 1.9 4.9 Males Both Sexes Females RATE OF DEATH BY SUICIDE By Race and Sex U.S. Bureau of the Census What Social Forces are at work here? PER 100,000 PERSONS 9 12

Individual in Social Context Durkheim’s Study of Suicide More likely to commit Male protestants who were wealthy and unmarried had higher suicide rate Less Likely to commit Male Jews and Catholics who were poor and married Being Catholic and Group-Oriented One of the basic findings: WHY? the differences between these groups had to do with “social integration” Those with strong social ties had less of a chance of committing suicide

SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION Need for an approach that united the different camps or “schools” of sociology, Took a holistic view of society and social issues The use of what has been termed, by C. Wright Mills, the “sociological imagination” —which is a mindset that seeks to understand the individual as the product of his and her social worlds, and seeks to understand the peculiarities and histories of such social worlds.

To apply the “sociological imagination” is to… …observe people’s behavior, beliefs, and attitudes under the aspect of how they are shaped by their social contexts. To do this, we need to be able to… — view our own society as an outsider would and — compare various social worlds, and various sets of behavior, beliefs, and attitudes, to one another.

Sociological Imagination: (Mills 1959 [2000]) Sociological Imagination: “...the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and the wider society.” The sociological imagination helps us to grasp the relationship between history and biography links between history and biography links between public issues and personal troubles 15

Sociologists French philosopher Auguste Comte (1798-1857) coins the term “sociology” («sociologie»).

German Philosopher & Activist Karl Marx (1818-1883) Sought to explain changes in society by materialist conception of history- social changes being brought about by economic influences, not ideas or values Conflict between classes (refer video: 5-500) Means of production in the hands of elite Workers own none- paid low wages and horrible work condition Eventual result is class conflict Communist Manifesto (1848) With this, the sociological perspective is born

“Nicht das Sein bestimmt das Bewusstsein, sondern das Bewusstsein bestimmt das Sein.” (And now shut up, all you naïve philosophers—and let ME tell you what the world is really like, and what history has been all about. In other words, let MY ideas define existence…)

…back to our little genealogy. So we said that… 1) French philosopher Auguste Comte (1798-1857) introduces the term «sociology». 2) German philosophy-student and rebel-rouser Karl Marx (1818-1883) decrees that „human existence determines human consciousness˝—so that rather than to understand “The Human Being” as an abstract concept, we should strive to understand how real people are shaped by their place in society. …and now let’s go on:

French anthropologist Émile Durkheim (1858-1917) Established sociology as a science by objectively studying social facts- e.g. suicide Believed shared values and customs hold societies together Division of labor replacing religion as primary basis of social cohesion Discussed Anomie, loss of moral controls, standards and despair

German Economist Max Weber (1864-1920) Influenced by Marx but differed on some points Rejected Materialist Conception of History Class conflict less significant Economic factors important, as well as Ideas and Values ---> social change Capitalism promoted by Christianity especially, Protestantism (China, India, Germany) Rationalization- Science and Bureaucracy; organization of social, economic life according to principles of efficiency and technological know-how

US-American sociologist Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) Interprets society as a system of regular social behavior, Develops tools to understand each sub-system’s structural function within the larger system—i.e. its role in the maintenance of society as a whole.

SOCIAL PARADIGMS THEORY: A statement of how and why facts are related PARADIGM: A set of fundamental assumptions that guide thinking DOWN WITH PEOPLE PEOPLE HOLD DIFFERING OPINIONS ABOUT THEIR SOCIAL WORLD WE ALL COME FROM DIFFERENT SOCIAL EXPERIENCES AND THEY BIAS OUR ASSUMPTIONS UP WITH PEOPLE 8 9 9 9 9 9 9

Major Theoretical Perspectives Theory View of Society Functionalism Composed of interrelated parts that work together to maintain stability. Conflict Society is characterized by social inequality; social life is a struggle for scarce resources. Symbolic Interactionism Behavior is learned in interaction with other people. Which one is best? Why did SI begin in US? 24

Major Theoretical Perspectives: Functionalism How is social order maintained? Subsystems/institutions have functions; mutually interdependent Concern for social order, stability, and integration What function does this play? Manifest and Latent functions Dysfunctions Social change occurs through evolution 26

STRUCTURAL -FUNCTIONALISM THE BASICS Macro-oriented (large-scale) paradigm Views society as a complex system with many interdependent parts The parts work together to promote social stability and order Major changes to the system’s parts is not required or desired; system seeks to maintain it’s equilibrium KEY ELEMENTS: SOCIAL STRUCTURE Refers to relatively stable patterns of social behavior found in social institutions SOCIAL FUNCTION Refers to the consequences of social patterns for society 9 10 10 10 10 10 10

A macro-oriented paradigm THE BASICS: A macro-oriented paradigm Views society as a structured system based on inequality Social Conflict between groups over scarce resources is the norm KEY ELEMENTS: Society is structured in ways to benefit a few at the expense of the majority Actors such as race, sex, class, and age are linked to Social Inequality Dominant group VS. minority group relations Incompatible interests and major differences 10 11 11 11 11 11 11

THE CONFLICT PARADIGM

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM SYMBOLIC INTERACTION IS A MICRO-ORIENTED PARADIGM, WHICH MEANS IT IS EFFECTIVELY USED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNDERSTAND SMALLER-SCALE SOCIAL PHENOMENA BASICS: The view that society is the product of everyday interactions How, and in what way, do people interpret and negotiate their surroundings? PRINCIPLES: Society is a complex mosaic of understanding that emerges from the very process of interacting 11 12 12 12 12 12 12

THINK IN TERMS OF FAMILY, THE ECONOMY, RELIGION, THE LEGAL SYSTEM, AND SCHOOL THINK IN TERMS OF LAWS, VALUES, NORMS, TRADITIONS, SOCIAL EXPECATIONS, ROLES, STATUSES, AND BELIEF SYSTEMS.

SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY!