1. Sociology Definition - The systematic study of human society and social interaction.

2. Social Riddles Sociology is the search for solutions of social riddles Social Riddles are perplexing questions that don’t have obvious answers – or the obvious answers are: 1) wrong, 2) simplistic, or 3) unquestioned

3. Sociology Systematic study of human societies with scientific methods It involves –Reflection –Observation –Description –Comparison Social influences in relationships, groups, societies, and social change

4. 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.

5. Sociological Imagination The ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and the larger society. Private v. Public Issues

6. Stereotypes

7. Cultural Universals Societies develop common practices, including: Athletic sports Cooking Funeral ceremonies Medicine Sexual restrictions

8. Development of Culture Around the World Globalization, Diffusion, and Technology Diffusion: process by which a cultural item spreads from group to group or society to society McDonaldization: process through which the principles of the fast-food industry have come to dominate certain sectors of society

12. Three Types of Riddles Riddles of Organization –Why does poverty persist? Riddle of Comparison –Why don’t we eat hamsters? (labels) Riddle of Contradiction –Is murder always murder?

13. The Grand Riddle How much freedom do we have to shape ourselves and our culture? –Are we only products of our culture? –Are we all independent to change?