1. The Beginnings of Sociology Social Context Social Context New industrial economy New industrial economy The growth of cities The growth of cities Political change Political change

2. Growth of Scientific Study Positivism Positivism a means of understanding the world through science a means of understanding the world through science Positivist thought had become an important aspect in the study of the physical world, so it made sense to apply it to the social world. Positivist thought had become an important aspect in the study of the physical world, so it made sense to apply it to the social world.

3. Auguste Comte Among the earliest theorists to use science to exam the social world. Among the earliest theorists to use science to exam the social world. Created the term “sociology” to describe the scientific study of society in 1838 Created the term “sociology” to describe the scientific study of society in 1838

4. Levels of Analysis Macrosociology – looks at the world on the large (global) scale Microsociology – looks at the world on a smaller scale; of from an individual perspective.

5. Macrosociology Functionalist Paradigm Functionalist Paradigm Conflict Paradigm Conflict Paradigm

6. The Functionalist Paradigm a framework that sees society as a complex system whose various parts work together to allow society to function a framework that sees society as a complex system whose various parts work together to allow society to function believes our lives are guided by social structure – stable patterns of social behavior believes our lives are guided by social structure – stable patterns of social behavior structures are understood through their social functions – consequences for the operation of society structures are understood through their social functions – consequences for the operation of society

7. Emile Durkhiem Stressed the use of social facts – aspects of social life that shape our actions as individuals Stressed the use of social facts – aspects of social life that shape our actions as individuals Organic Solidarity Organic Solidarity Anomie Anomie

8. Herbert Spencer Studied sociobiology Studied sociobiology Coined the term “survival of the fittest” Coined the term “survival of the fittest”

9. Robert K. Merton Developed the concepts of manifest and latent functions Developed the concepts of manifest and latent functions Manifest – the recognized and expected consequences of social patterns Manifest – the recognized and expected consequences of social patterns Latent – unexpected and often unrecognized consequences Latent – unexpected and often unrecognized consequences

10. Criticisms of the Functionalist Paradigm Structural-Functionalism glosses over issues of inequality Structural-Functionalism glosses over issues of inequality its focus on stability often ignores conflict and change its focus on stability often ignores conflict and change

11. Conflict Paradigm sees society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change sees society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change focuses on divisions through inequality focuses on divisions through inequality examines the unequal distribution of money, power, education, and social prestige examines the unequal distribution of money, power, education, and social prestige argues that social structure benefits some people depriving others argues that social structure benefits some people depriving others

12. Karl Marx Materialist conception of history Materialist conception of history Bourgeoisie and Proletariat Bourgeoisie and Proletariat Examined the role of Capitalism on social change Examined the role of Capitalism on social change

13. Criticism of Conflict Paradigm Doesn’t address shared values or interdependence that leads to unity Doesn’t address shared values or interdependence that leads to unity

14. Microsociology Symbolic Interactionist Paradigm Symbolic Interactionist Paradigm Focuses on social interaction in specific situations Focuses on social interaction in specific situations Sees society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals Sees society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals Shared reality – we construct our reality as we interact with one another Shared reality – we construct our reality as we interact with one another Definition of reality differs from one person to the next Definition of reality differs from one person to the next

15. Max Weber understand setting through point of view of those in it understand setting through point of view of those in it Studied bureaucracy Studied bureaucracy

16. George Herbert Mead We build our personalities through our social experiences We build our personalities through our social experiences

17. Criticism of Symbolic Interactionism Tends to overlook social structures and the widespread effects of culture. Tends to overlook social structures and the widespread effects of culture.

18. Other Important Paradigms Feminist theory Feminist theory As with all other sciences, the focal point of research had been men As with all other sciences, the focal point of research had been men focus is on the intersection of gender, race, and class focus is on the intersection of gender, race, and class Stresses advocacy for political and social activities Stresses advocacy for political and social activities

19. Other Important Paradigms Rational Choice Rational Choice If there could be only one explanation for the actions we take, it would be self-interest. If there could be only one explanation for the actions we take, it would be self-interest.

20. Other Important Paradigms Postmodern Postmodern There is no longer an historical context for our social development There is no longer an historical context for our social development Modern society is pluralistic and diverse Modern society is pluralistic and diverse

21. Often Forgotten Sociologists W. E. B. DuBois W. E. B. DuBois Harriet Martineau Harriet Martineau Jane Addams Jane Addams

22. W. E. B. DuBois First African American to earn a doctorate at Harvard First African American to earn a doctorate at Harvard Founding member of the NAACP Founding member of the NAACP Research addressed issues of race and conflict Research addressed issues of race and conflict

23. Harriet Martineau First woman sociologist First woman sociologist Argued that when studying any society, one must look at all aspects of it Argued that when studying any society, one must look at all aspects of it Said women’s lives must be studied Said women’s lives must be studied First to study issues such as marriage, children, race relations, and religious and domestic life First to study issues such as marriage, children, race relations, and religious and domestic life

24. Jane Addams Founded Hull House to assist immigrants Founded Hull House to assist immigrants Brought various groups of people (from poor immigrants to wealthy businessmen) together to discuss social issues. Brought various groups of people (from poor immigrants to wealthy businessmen) together to discuss social issues. Worked for women’s suffrage Worked for women’s suffrage Helped found the NAACP Helped found the NAACP Helped found the ACLU Helped found the ACLU Won the Nobel Peace Prize Won the Nobel Peace Prize