1. An Invitation to Sociology

2. The Sociological Perspective
Perspective - particular point of view
Example- your baby is cuter, brighter, etc. than your friends baby
Sociology - Scientific study of social structure (human social behavior)
Sociological Perspective - view that looks at behavior of GROUPS, not individuals example - relationship between women employment and family size

3. Social Sciences Sociology
Anthropology (investigates preliterate societies)
Psychology (human, mental and emotional processes)
Economics
Political Science (Government)
History

4. Social Structure
Patterned interaction of people in social relationships
Example - students and teachers relate in similar and patterned ways (in all societies)
Sociologists look at the power of groups and how behavior changes in different situations
Example - riot after championships, power of the group
Why conform (acceptance)
Sociological imagination - ability to see
the link between society and self
Challenges group assumptions
Example - married couples must have children

5. The Origin of Sociology
Auguste Comte “father of Sociology”
Positivism - knowledge should be derived from scientific observation (must be sure)
Looked at social statics (stability and order) and social dynamics (social change)

6. More sociologists
Harriet Martineau - emphasized sociology as a science and feminism
Herbert Spencer - Social Darwinism and evolution of social change
Karl Marx - social scientist that looked at changing society, concerned about poverty and working class

7. Marxism
Identified several social classes, but said eventually there would only be 2
Bourgeoisie (capitalists) - class that owns the wealth
Proletariat - work for the bourgeoisie
Class conflict - struggle that will always exist between the 2 groups

8. More sociologists
Emile Durkheim - 1st to use statistical methods to study groups, 1st to teach Sociology at a University
Mechanical solidarity - working societies / preindustrial societies, more conformity
Organic solidarity - industrial society, based on specialized roles

9. Last of sect. 2
Max Weber - humans react based on their understanding of the situation
Verstehen - putting yourself in the place of others
Rationalization - mind - set that emphasizes knowledge, reason and planning
Jane Addams - social reformer, spent her life working on social issues
Hull House in Chicago

10. Theoretical Perspectives
A set of assumptions accepted as true
3 perspectives:
1. FUNCTIONALISM - approach that emphasizes the contributions made by each part of society
- society may change but it will return to a stable state
- society is relatively whole
Society rests on consensus

11. 2 kinds of functions
1. Manifest function - intended and recognized (schools teach math)
2. Latent function - unintended and unrecognized (schools build relationships)
Dysfunction - negative consequences
DMV - are all rude people

12. 2nd Theoretical Perspective
2. CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE - approach that emphasizes conflict, competition and constraint
- society is inconsistent and subject to change
- involves coercing members in the group
- life is a competition
Power- ability to control others

13. 3rd Theoretical Perspective
3. SYMBOLIC INTERACTION - focuses on interactions based on shared symbols
Red light means stop
Guide behavior towards other reactions
Symbol - anything that stands for something else but has an agreed upon meaning
Flag and eagle - patriotism
DRAMATURGY - least thought of approach that depicts human interaction as theoretical