1. An Introduction to Sociology

3. What is Sociology?
Sociology is the study of human interaction, social groups, and society
Experiences are the most important part of interaction. Sociology studies how we act and react to the experiences we have with the world around us.
Sociology is based on our perspective (point of view)

4. When did Sociology Begin?
Developed between 1780 and 1838
Auguste Comte “Father of Sociology”
Philosophers looking for a way to study
How society is held together
How society changes
How society can be improved
Sociological Theory
Theory: how and why facts are related
Sociological Theory: explains social behavior in the real world

5. Sociological and Global Perspective
Sociology teaches us that…
We should challenge commonly held beliefs
Where we live makes a great difference in shaping our lives
Thinking globally is a good way to learn more about ourselves
Problems we face in the United States are more serious elsewhere
Societies are increasingly interconnected.

6. Personal Choice in Social Context
Sociologists understand that human behavior is simply a matter of what people decide to do based on what society wants
Examples:
Clothes: What do I wear today?
Friends/Cliques: Who should I hang out with?

7. Using the Sociological Perspective
Social Marginality:
Being on the outside of the mainstreams of social, political or economic life
People on the margin of mainstream beliefs are better able to use the sociological perspective or see things from another person’s point of view.

8. The Study of Sociology Develop Generalizations:
Sociologists identify general social patterns in the behavior of particular individuals
Sociologists look at personal choice in social context:
Individuals are unique (choices) but, society’s social forces (circumstances) shape us into “types” of people (conformity)
This is different from stereotyping

9. What is a Stereotype? Generalizations are not stereotypes Stereotype:
Exaggerated description applied to every person in some category
Generalization:
Perceiving of a similarity or relation between different groups of people

10. Approaches to Sociology
Perspectives of Human Interaction

11. Structural-Functional Approach
Definition:
Society is a complex system whose parts work together to help the society function
Elements:
Social Structure: how society is set up
Social Function: how society works
Can overlook that society is not always stable and orderly
Descriptive word(s):
Structure and Function

12. Social Conflict Approach
Definition:
Society contains inequalities that generate conflict and change
Elements:
Social Class, Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Age
Unequal distribution of wealth, power, education, and prestige
Does not always acknowledge shared values and interdependence of a society
Descriptive Word(s):
Inequality

13. Symbolic-Interaction Approach
Definition:
Society is a product of everyday interactions of individuals
Elements:
Macro-level orientation: focus out
Micro-level orientation: focus in
Can overlook widespread influence of culture, class, race, or gender
Descriptive Word(s):
Experiences

15. Applying Sociological Perspective in Sports What is the structure and function of a team? Does race play a part in professional sports? How do interactions on the field impact the fans at home?

16. Discuss…
How are societies all over the world increasingly connected and what are the consequences of these links?
Describe an incident in which you were a new member of a group and in which your marginality made it easier for you to observe something about that group which was not evident to those who had been in it longer.
What sociological insights can the three theoretical approaches give us about the American educational system?