1. 1 Lesson 5: Personal Troubles and Public Issues SOCI 108 - Thinking Critically about Social Issues Spring 2012

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4. 4 The Sociological Imagination C. Wright Mills used the term sociological imagination to describe the ability to look at issues from a sociological perspective. Personal troubles versus public issues – Ex: unemployment, obesity

5. 5 The Sociological Perspective Incorporates Mills’ notion of the sociological imagination  The sociological perspective is a quality of the mind that allows us to understand the relationship between our particular situation in life and what is happening at a social level.

6. 6 The Sociological Perspective When using a sociological perspective, one focuses on the social context in which people live and how that social context has an impact on individuals ’ lives. This is the essence of what sociology does.

7. 7 Using the Sociological Perspective In small groups: How would you explain the following social problems using the sociological imagination/perspective? – Obesity – Homelessness/Poverty – Unemployment – Marriage – The metropolis – War