NOTE: To change the image on this slide, select the picture and delete it. Then click the Pictures icon in the placeholder to insert your own image. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES The Human Way Ch. 2

We will learn to:  use correctly the terminology of the Social Sciences  evaluate major contributions to the understanding of self from leading thinkers from each of the areas of study  define concepts that are central to the social sciences  be able to formulate questions for research and inquiry relating to the various areas of concern in the social sciences.

Sociology: A wide range of topics for research  Relationships between ethnic groups  Relationships between social classes  Gender roles and expectations  The family  Criminology and defiance  Structure of the workplace

Schools of Thought  Functionalist School (Comte, Durkheim & Parsons)  Conflict School (Marx)  Symbolic Interactionist (Weber)

Functionalist School  Auguste Comte  Emile Durkheim  Talcott Parsons  It’s best to study society as an organic system, like the human body.  Analogy: each organ in one’s body performs a function, functionalists believe that our institutions perform specific functions  When all parts of society are working well together, the interests and needs of all are met & protected.  Focus: large-scale patterns in each institution & relationships among institutions

The Conflict School: Karl Marx, & others later “neo-Marxists”  Our most significant human characteristic  ability to produce goods to meet the needs and wants of people  Interested in: how society is structured around the forces of production, they argue that a class conflict is created over the struggle to control these forces and gain a monopoly of power/resources.  Conflict:  Bourgeoisie vs. Proletariat (Ruling Class vs. Workers)  Conflict Theorists look at the social patterns that develop as classes oppose each other

Symbolic Interactionism: Max Weber  The most significant human characteristic: the ability to reason  Make independent choices, react to stimuli in ways that provide meaning to people personally  Ability to reason  sense of “self” and “others”  A sense of personal identity, and who others are  Helps to create rules, values, norms that make up society  how to live our daily lives  Focus: small scale patterns, roles we play depending on our audience