1. Founders of Sociology
SOCI 1010 Unit #1

2. Auguste Comte 1798 - 1857 Founder of sociology Coined term “sociology”
Advocated applying
the scientific method
to the social world

3. Herbert Spencer
Evolutionary theorist -societies evolve from lower to higher forms
Coined term “survival of the fittest”
Known for social Darwinism

4. Karl Marx 1818 - 1883 German philosopher Conflict theory founder
Class conflict - key

5. Emile Durkheim 1858 - 1917 French Sociologist 1st Sociology Professor
Work on suicide
A founder of functional perspective

6. Max Weber 1864 - 1920 German sociologist
Viewed religion as a key force in social change
Famous for work on bureaucracy
Sociologists need to be value-free

7. Review Who Am I? 1. I coined the term “sociology.”
2. I am the founder of conflict theory.
3. I advocated “value-free” research and investigated bureaucracy.
4. I was the first professor of sociology.