Introduction to Sociology

What is Sociology? The study of human society including social organization and social action The study of human society including social organization and social action

SociologyDefinition: The systematic study of human society and social interaction.

A society is a large social grouping that shares the same geographical territory and is subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.

The Sociological Imagination Is a way of looking at our experiences in light of what is going on in the social world around us. Is a way of looking at our experiences in light of what is going on in the social world around us. …like a snow globe or view from space.

Sociology is not common sense Social Science Social Science Scientific Method Scientific Method Identify the problem Identify the problem Formulate hypothesis Formulate hypothesis Gather data Gather data Analyze data Analyze data

5 Key Concepts Social Structure Social Structure Social Action Social Action Functional Integration Functional Integration Power Power Culture Culture

5 Key Concepts Social Structure Social Structure Patterns of social relationships Patterns of social relationships Marriage, employment, etc. Marriage, employment, etc. Patterns of social position Patterns of social position President, priest, etc. President, priest, etc. Patterns of numbers of people Patterns of numbers of people Size of countries, populations, etc. Size of countries, populations, etc.

5 Key Concepts Social Action Social Action Things people do to bring about change Things people do to bring about change Functional Integration Functional Integration Parts work together to make a whole Parts work together to make a whole Power Power Capacity of one group/person to get another to do it’s will Capacity of one group/person to get another to do it’s will DirectIndirect MicroMacro

5 Key Concepts Culture Culture Language, norms, values, beliefs, knowledge, symbols that make up a way of life Language, norms, values, beliefs, knowledge, symbols that make up a way of life

5 Key Concepts Pick a social issue and analyze…

3 Prominent Sociological Theories Symbolic Interactionist Theory Symbolic Interactionist Theory How do people manage in groups? How do people manage in groups? Functionalist Theory Functionalist Theory How is society structured so that tasks necessary for existence are accomplished? How is society structured so that tasks necessary for existence are accomplished? Conflict Theory Conflict Theory How is power used and maintained? How is power used and maintained?

Origins of Sociology 1700s 1700s American Revolution American Revolution French Revolution French Revolution 1800s 1800s Industrial Revolution Industrial Revolution

Important People Adam Smith Adam Smith Rational choice theory Rational choice theory People make choices on the basis of rational cost-benefit analysis People make choices on the basis of rational cost-benefit analysis Self interest leads to efficient production of the goods consumers want and a rise in wealth Self interest leads to efficient production of the goods consumers want and a rise in wealth Society is self-regulating Society is self-regulating All parts, acting in their own interest, are meshed together to form integrated whole for the common good. All parts, acting in their own interest, are meshed together to form integrated whole for the common good.

Important People Jeremy Bentham Jeremy Bentham Disagreed with Smith… Disagreed with Smith… Visible Hand is the best way Visible Hand is the best way

Important People August Comte August Comte Father of sociology Father of sociology Founded and named sociology Founded and named sociology Social Statics Social Statics Those aspects of social life that have to do with social order and stability Those aspects of social life that have to do with social order and stability Social Dynamics Social Dynamics Those aspects of social life that have to do with social change and institutional development Those aspects of social life that have to do with social change and institutional development

Important People Karl Marx Karl Marx Father of Communism Father of Communism Conflict Theory Conflict Theory Economy is basis of social structure Economy is basis of social structure Capitalists/Bourgeoisie Vs. Workers / Proletariat Capitalists/Bourgeoisie Vs. Workers / Proletariat Conflict is the engine of history Conflict is the engine of history

Important People Herbert Spencer Herbert Spencer Evolution explains change Evolution explains change Change occurs as members adapt to changes in the natural environment or social environment Change occurs as members adapt to changes in the natural environment or social environment Organic Analogy Organic Analogy All of society should be studied, not just the parts….like a human body All of society should be studied, not just the parts….like a human body Social Darwinism Social Darwinism Society should not be interfered with Society should not be interfered with

Important People Emile Durkheim Emile Durkheim Social integration is basis of society Social integration is basis of society Functionalist Theory Functionalist Theory Society is greater than it’s parts Society is greater than it’s parts

Important People George Herbert Mead George Herbert Mead Symbolic Interactionist Theory Symbolic Interactionist Theory Perception is reality Perception is reality Sense of self is obtained through social interaction Sense of self is obtained through social interaction Focus on small groups and the individual as well as on symbols such as body language Focus on small groups and the individual as well as on symbols such as body language

Important People Max Weber Max Weber Functionalist Theory and Conflict Theory Functionalist Theory and Conflict Theory Verstehen Verstehen Focus on large groups Focus on large groups Said to be in a debate with the ghost of Karl Marx Said to be in a debate with the ghost of Karl Marx Marx - cultural change follows economic change Marx - cultural change follows economic change Weber - economic change follows cultural change Weber - economic change follows cultural change