1. Introduction to Sociology

6. Student Introductions
Your background
Motivation
Future plans

7. Triangle of respect

8. Syllabus Course calendar Student assessment Grading Policies:
Withdrawal
Failure of course
Late work
Finals

9. How to succeed in this class
Commitment
Motivation
Completing work
Being engaged in your success
Communication

10. What is Sociology

11. Studying patterns

12. History of Sociology

13. Comte – the father of Sociology
How to study Society
Natural science as a model to understand how societies change
Positivism – scientific method to study society
Study of patterns
Example - Marriage

14. Karl Marx How societies change? – struggle between classes
How classes are formed - who controls means of production
Industrial revolution and growth of capitalism
How it affected soceiteis – inequality
A solution – communism – no private ownership of property
His economic predictions did not come true, but his ideas of social conflict are still one of the major theories in sociology

15. Emile Durkheim First sociology department
Study of social change – how societies transform from primitive to modern
He was influenced by the ideas of positivism - study of society based on objective “Social facts”
What keeps the societies stable – Social norms
How society shapes human behavior – are we puppets of the society
Study of suicide

16. Group Discussion : Suicide Rates What are the patterns. Why
Group Discussion : Suicide Rates What are the patterns? Why? What is the explanation?