1. T HE E SSENCE OF S OCIOLOGY An Introduction to Sociology

2. E SSENTIAL Q UESTIONS Why do we study sociology? How did modern sociology develop? Why is it important to develop sociological imagination? How does an individual think like a sociologist? What theoretical perspectives shape the study of society? Why is it important to view the world from multiple perspectives? What is sociology? What is sociological imagination? How does sociology differ from the other social sciences? What methods do sociologists use to study social phenomena? Who are the founders of sociology? What theoretical perspectives shape the study of society? How does student research support the unit?

3. G OALS TO BE MET The learner will develop a sociological point of view. Objectives 1.01 Discuss the origins of sociology. 1.02 Describe similarities and differences between sociology and the other social sciences. 1.03 Identify the relationship between the study of sociology, society, and culture. 1.04 Define and apply key concepts used in sociology to understand human society and interaction. 1.05 Differentiate among the various sociological perspectives or theories on social life and formulate a personal perspective. 1.06 Differentiate among the various sociological research methods.

4. W HAT IS S OCIOLOGY ? What is your BEST definition of “sociology”?

5. W HAT IS S OCIOLOGY ? Sociology – The systematic, scientific study of human society. ( Sociology – A Brief Introduction ) Sociology – The Social science that studies human society and social behavior. ( Sociology textbook ) Sociology - the science or study of the origin, development, organization, and functioning of human society; the science of the fundamental laws of social relations, institutions, etc. ( dictionary.com ) Sociology – The study of society. It is a social science which uses various methods of empirical (based on observation rather than theory) investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity. ( wikipedia.org ) What is the main concept of each definition?

6. W HAT IS S OCIOLOGY ? A type of social science (discipline that studies social behavior or institutions and functions of human society in a scientific manner) Focuses on Social interaction – how people relate to one other and influence each other’s behavior Social phenomena – observable facts or events that involve human society

7. S OCIOLOGICAL P ERSPECTIVE Definition: Point of view that highlights how society affects the experiences of individuals Problems we face are not only the results of personal choices but reflect the operation of society itself C. Wright Mills used the sociological imagination (ability to see connection between the larger world and your personal life) to show how personal experience is shaped by social forces and to distinguish between personal troubles and public issues. Helps us understand social reasons to things, like why people commit suicide, etc. Ex: Overspending can be seen as a personal problem or a public issue Macro view – Large scale aspects of society (Athens Drive High School or Raleigh, NC) Micro view – Immediate situation where people interact with each other (ex: Miss H’s class)

8. S OCIAL S CIENCE Anthropology – Comparative study of past and present cultures (Simple and less advanced societies). Psychology – deals with the behavior and thinking of organisms (focuses on individual rather than group) Economics – Study of choices people make in an effort to satisfy their needs and wants. Political Science – Examination of the organization and operation of governments History – Study of past events

9. G ROUP A CTIVITY Each group will be assigned a particular social science (history, economics, sociology, psychology, or political science). Imagine that your group represents a team of social scientists in your assigned field. Develop a list of 5 to 7 questions that your team would have about the scenario below. Consider what would interest you as historians, economists, sociologists, psychologists, or political scientists about this topic. What questions would you have? Develop your best possible explanation for why the scenario has occurred. Be prepared to share your list with the class and expect feedback about the validity of your questions. We will compare and contrast the questions and explanations as a class. Scenario Currently, in Wake County, there is an achievement gap between white and African American students.

10. H ISTORY AND D EVELOPMENT OF S OCIOLOGY Began in the 19 th Century – mainly in France, Germany, and England Reasons for development Rapid social and political changes that took place in Europe as a result of the Industrial Revolution Factory replaced the home Rapid growth of urban populations American Revolution French Revolution Early sociologists wanted to improve society Developed more during the 1950s and again during the 1960s as more societal problems arose

11. M AJOR S OCIOLOGICAL A PPROACHES

12. L ITTLE R ED R IDING H OOD – R EVISITED Tell me the basic story of Red Riding Hood, both content and the message(s) the story is supposed to send Here is the story from a different point of view After I finish reading: Summarize the differences between the two stories Why do you think there are differences? Which story do you believe? Explain.

13. S TRUCTURAL F UNCTIONALISM ( S PENCER AND D URKHEIM ) Macro View Focuses on social order Emphasizes how parts of society (ex: family) contribute to the overall society Sees society as a complex system of interrelated parts that work together Argues that social order is based on social consensus (members of society agree on what is good and cooperate to achieve it) Parts of society all depend on each other Ex: Government, Schools, Taxes, People, etc. Interested in in discovering functions of specific types of behavior Function – Consequence that an element of society produces for the maintenance of its social system. Manifest function – intended Latent function – unintended Dysfunctional – Harmful Ex: Functions of Religion. What are some functions of religion? Criticism Neglects negative functions (ex: divorce) Doesn’t allow people to take an active role in changing their environment

14. C ONFLICT T HEORY (M ARX ) Macro View Society is always changing and marked by conflict Society is divided by inequality and conflict Social conflict between social classes is the key force in society Divided into the “haves” and “have nots” Elite control the poor and weak Criticism Overly negative view of society Difficulty in predicting exactly where those cracks in a given society are and when they occur View positive aspects of society (civil rights) as capitalistic designs to control the masses, not to preserve society and social order Feminist Theory is part of this

15. F EMINIST T HEORY Study of social life and human experience from the standpoint of women Sees women as less than and subordinate to men Focus on how patriarchal societies are set up in ways that disadvantage women Women are subordinate to men because they are oppressed Want to improve women’s lives How race, class, ethnicity, and age intersect with gender Types of Feminists Liberal – trace problems to socialization Socialist – Sees capitalism’s need for profits as reason for subordinating women Radical – trace women’s problems to men’s aggressive nature Criticism Over-emphasis on patriarchy

16. S YMBOLIC I NTERACTIONISM (W EBER ) Micro Level Focus on details of everyday life, interaction between people, and the ways meaning is assigned to human interaction Social interaction is shaped by subjective interpretations of things (ex: symbols, words, language, etc) Understanding of individual and group interaction Criticism Lacks “big picture” Miss larger issues of society (ex: quality of marriage Downplays the influence of social forces and institutions on individual interactions

17. I LLUSTRATING THE T HREE P ERSPECTIVES Using Sports

18. F UNCTIONALIST P ERSPECTIVE Sports are beneficial to society because: They contribute to success in other areas of life They enhance health and happiness The contribute to social order and stability

19. C ONFLICT P ERSPECTIVE Sports are harmful to society because: They act as a drug that numbs the poor’s sense of dissatisfaction Encourages deviant behavior by overemphasizing winning Reinforces social, gender, and racial inequalities Team owners receive huge profits and tax breaks while fans and most players have little Sports are seen mostly as a man’s world, leaving women out Racism comes into sports by actually segregating blacks in certain playing positions and continuing poverty among African Americans

20. S YMBOLIC I NTERACTIONISM Studies how: Athletes and others behave, including the role of beliefs on winning Athletes define themselves Beliefs about sports influence black and women athletes

21. C ONCLUSION By combining the 3 perspectives together, sociologists can achieve a fuller and more balanced view of sports and other social activities

22. S CHOOLS OF S OCIOLOGY A CTIVITY Objective: In order to enhance understanding of sociological perspectives, one can assign groups with each of the following perspectives: Functionalism Conflict Symbolic Interactionism Each group will be given a social problem to evaluate using the three perspectives. Students will explain how each perspective would address the social problem. Social Problems: Homelessness Rape Poverty Unemployment Racism Sexism High School Dropouts Teen Pregnancy