Introduction Introduction to Sociologyto Sociology
What is Sociology?What is Sociology?
The study of human society The study of human society including social organization including social organization and social actionand social action
SociologySociologyDefinition: Definition:
The The systematic systematic
study of study of human society human society
and social and social interaction.interaction.
A society is a large social grouping that shares the same geographical territory and is subject to the same political
authority and dominant cultural expectations.
The Sociological The Sociological ImaginationImagination
Is a way of looking at our Is a way of looking at our experiences in light of what is experiences in light of what is going on in the social world going on in the social world around us.around us.
……like a snow globe or view from like a snow globe or view from space.space.
Sociology is not common Sociology is not common sensesense
Social ScienceSocial ScienceScientific MethodScientific Method
Identify the problemIdentify the problemFormulate hypothesisFormulate hypothesisGather dataGather dataAnalyze dataAnalyze data
5 Key Concepts5 Key Concepts
Social StructureSocial Structure
Social ActionSocial Action
Functional IntegrationFunctional Integration
PowerPower
CultureCulture
5 Key Concepts5 Key Concepts
Social StructureSocial StructurePatterns of social relationshipsPatterns of social relationships
Marriage, employment, etc.Marriage, employment, etc.
Patterns of social positionPatterns of social position President, priest, etc.President, priest, etc.
Patterns of numbers of peoplePatterns of numbers of people Size of countries, populations, etc.Size of countries, populations, etc.
5 Key Concepts5 Key ConceptsSocial ActionSocial Action
Things people do to bring about changeThings people do to bring about change
Functional IntegrationFunctional IntegrationParts work together to make a wholeParts work together to make a whole
PowerPowerCapacity of one group/person to get another to Capacity of one group/person to get another to
do it’s will do it’s will DirectDirect IndirectIndirectMicroMicro MacroMacro
5 Key Concepts5 Key Concepts
CultureCultureLanguage, norms, values, beliefs, Language, norms, values, beliefs,
knowledge, symbols that make up a knowledge, symbols that make up a way of lifeway of life
5 Key Concepts5 Key Concepts
Pick a social issue and analyze…Pick a social issue and analyze…
3 Prominent 3 Prominent Sociological TheoriesSociological Theories
Symbolic Interactionist TheorySymbolic Interactionist TheoryHow do people manage in groups?How do people manage in groups?
Functionalist TheoryFunctionalist TheoryHow is society structured so that How is society structured so that
tasks necessary for existence are tasks necessary for existence are accomplished?accomplished?
Conflict TheoryConflict TheoryHow is power used and maintained?How is power used and maintained?
Origins of SociologyOrigins of Sociology
1700s1700sAmerican RevolutionAmerican RevolutionFrench RevolutionFrench Revolution
1800s1800sIndustrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution
Important PeopleImportant PeopleAdam SmithAdam Smith
1723 - 17901723 - 1790Rational choice theoryRational choice theory
People make choices on the basis of rational People make choices on the basis of rational cost-benefit analysiscost-benefit analysis
Self interest leads to efficient production of the Self interest leads to efficient production of the goods consumers want and a rise in wealthgoods consumers want and a rise in wealth
Society is self-regulatingSociety is self-regulatingAll parts, acting in their own interest, are All parts, acting in their own interest, are
meshed together to form integrated whole for meshed together to form integrated whole for the common good.the common good.
Important PeopleImportant People
Jeremy BenthamJeremy Bentham1748-18321748-1832Disagreed with Smith…Disagreed with Smith…
Visible Hand is the best wayVisible Hand is the best way
Important PeopleImportant PeopleAugust ComteAugust Comte
1798- 18541798- 1854Father of sociology Father of sociology
Founded and named sociologyFounded and named sociologySocial StaticsSocial Statics
Those aspects of social life that have to do Those aspects of social life that have to do with social order and stabilitywith social order and stability
Social DynamicsSocial DynamicsThose aspects of social life that have to do Those aspects of social life that have to do
with social change and institutional with social change and institutional developmentdevelopment
Important PeopleImportant People
Karl MarxKarl Marx1818-18831818-1883Father of CommunismFather of CommunismConflict TheoryConflict Theory
Economy is basis of Economy is basis of social structuresocial structure
Capitalists/Bourgeoisie Capitalists/Bourgeoisie Vs. Workers / ProletariatVs. Workers / Proletariat
Conflict is the engine of Conflict is the engine of historyhistory
Important PeopleImportant PeopleHerbert SpencerHerbert Spencer
1820 - 19031820 - 1903Evolution explains changeEvolution explains change
Change occurs as members adapt to changes Change occurs as members adapt to changes in the natural environment or social in the natural environment or social environmentenvironment
Organic AnalogyOrganic AnalogyAll of society should be studied, not just the All of society should be studied, not just the
parts….like a human bodyparts….like a human bodySocial DarwinismSocial Darwinism
Society should not be interfered withSociety should not be interfered with
Important PeopleImportant People
Emile DurkheimEmile Durkheim1858-19171858-1917Social integration is Social integration is
basis of societybasis of societyFunctionalist TheoryFunctionalist Theory
Society is greater Society is greater than it’s partsthan it’s parts
Important PeopleImportant People
George Herbert MeadGeorge Herbert Mead1863-19311863-1931Symbolic Interactionist TheorySymbolic Interactionist TheoryPerception is realityPerception is realitySense of self is obtained through Sense of self is obtained through
social interactionsocial interactionFocus on Focus on small groupssmall groups and the and the
individualindividual as well as on as well as on symbolssymbols such such as body languageas body language
Important PeopleImportant People
Max WeberMax Weber1864-19201864-1920Functionalist Theory and Conflict Functionalist Theory and Conflict
TheoryTheoryVerstehenVerstehenFocus on large groupsFocus on large groupsSaid to be in a debate with the Said to be in a debate with the
ghost of Karl Marxghost of Karl MarxMarx - cultural change follows Marx - cultural change follows
economic changeeconomic changeWeber - economic change follows Weber - economic change follows
cultural changecultural change