1. Welcome to Comparative Sociology
Dr Pam Lowe

2. Introduction to the Module
Introductions
What is comparative sociology?
Why is it important?
What comes next?

3. What is comparative sociology?
To some extent most sociology is comparative
Generally it refers to the comparison of large structures and process.
Types of capitalism
Nation-states
Cultures
Health and welfare systems
It takes a macro view, often using ‘ideal types’

4. Ideal Types Concept developed by Max Weber
A way of defining social science concept
Key aspects of behaviour or institutions are focused on to build a coherent model of a concept
Used because it can help explain or compare a concept
Will not perfectly represent the social world

5. Constructing an ideal type
With the people sitting next to you, discuss an ideal type of a university

6. Comparative methods Comparing similar cases
Study of democratic systems might look at two countries with proportionate representation
Comparing contrasting cases
Study of economic impact within post-colonial counties might look at India and Zimbabwe

7. What to compare?
Comparative research needs to have valid reasons for both choosing:
The units of comparison
Which counties, institutions etc
The indicators chosen can be compared
Wealth, health, population

8. Units of comparison
The choice of units is a crucial area and needs justification:
Britain and France have many things in common, so comparison of mortality and morbidity is valid
Comparing mortality and morbidity between Britain and Ethiopia would be unlikely to reveal anything interesting

9. Comparative health systems
Hospital resources in Europe and Ethiopia

10. Indicators chosen The indicators chosen need to be comparable
Do the statistics measure the same thing?
What counts as being sick?
Is the indicator culturally specific
What is a family?

11. Comparing higher education
Using the discussion of ideal types discuss with the people what the problems in choosing units of comparison or indicators in a comparative study of higher education.

12. Why is comparative sociology important?
It adds to our understanding of structures and processes
It illuminates differences
It allows us to understand our own society better

13. Structures and processes
Why do similar structures impact differently on different peoples and places?
Why do societies change and why are they the same or different?
Can the solutions to some societies’ problems help others?

14. Illuminates differences
How do other nation-states organise for health and welfare
How do the systems they chose relate to other issues in their society
Economy
Family
What do these differences
tell us about their culture

15. Understanding ourselves
Are we in danger of developing ghetto’s?
Why is the NHS supported when public transport is not?
What will be the impact of higher university tuition fees?

16. Comparing higher education
Discuss with the people sitting next to you what benefits there might be in a comparative study of higher education.

17. What next?
Week 15 Different forms of capitalism, different forms of society
Week 16 Theories of Macro Cultural Differences
Week 17 Clash of cultures?
Week 18 Comparing welfare systems
Week 19 Comparing health systems
Week 20 Comparative gender inequality
Week 21 Comparative citizenship
Week 22 Comparative education
Week 23 Essay preparation
Week 24 Essay Submission

18. Course organisation Weekly lectures Fortnightly seminars
Module outline
Assessment by 2000 word essay due in week 12.
Essay questions will be given out later
Slides will go on blackboard after each lecture