Introduction to Sociology

What makes you an individual?List ten things that shape who you are.1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Perspective What is it your perspective on the world? How does it affect who we are?

Corner Perspectives Move to the corner that best represents you

Corner A: Right- Handed

Corner B: Left-Handed

Corner A: MaleCorner B: Female

Find Your Corner Corner A: Oldest Child Corner B: Youngest Child Corner C: Only Child Corner D: Somewhere in the middle

Corner A: Have lived in another countryCorner B: Always lived in NevadaCorner C: Have lived in another state but not outside the US

Corner A: Immediate Family in the homeCorner B: Step family in the homeCorner C: Multi-generational home

How do you identify yourself:Corner A: HispanicCorner B: AsianCorner C: WhiteCorner D: African AmericanMiddle of the room: Other

Sociological Perspective Stresses the social contexts in which people live and

examines how these contexts influence people’s lives. Social Location- the corners in life where people are

located in a society. Consider how being identified with a group called

males or a group called females shapes our ideas of who we are and what we should attain in life.

Biography and History

The society in which we grow up, and our particular location in that society, lie at the center of what we do and how we think.

Sociological Perspective People around the globe take their particular views of

the world for granted. What is “normal” as… An American? As a Las Vegan? As a Palo student?

How have your social groups shaped your ideas and

desires?

Auguste Comte 1798-1857, French

Coined the terms sociology to describe the study of society

Focused on two areas of study -Social order and Social

Change “What creates order instead of

anarchy or chaos?” “What causes society to change?”

Herbert Spencer 1820-1903, English Societies evolve from lower (barbarian) to higher

(civilized) forms. As time passes, the most capable and intelligent (the

fittest) members of society survive while the less capable die out.

Strongly influenced by Darwin, an evolutionist from the 1800s.

Don’t help the lower classes – survival of the fittest SOCIAL DARWINISM

Karl Marx 1818-1883, German People should change society. The engine of human history is class

conflict The structure of society is influenced by

how its economy is organized Bourgeoisie- the capitalist- are locked in

conflict with the proletariat – the workers

This struggle will last until the proletariat unite in revolution

Goal is a classless society where you will work according to your ability and receive goods/services according to your needs.

Three Main Sociological Approaches

Functionalist Perspective

Based on ideas of Comte, Spencer, Durkheim Society is a set of interrelated parts that work together and

therefore create a stable social system Write 2 more facts regarding this perspective

Three Main Sociological Perspectives

Conflict Perspective

o Deals with the forces in society that promote change and competition

o Competition over resources creates social conflict

o Write 2 more facts regarding this perspective

Three Main Sociological Perspectives

Interactionist Perspective

Focus is on how individuals interact with each other in society

Interested in the role of symbols Focus on how individuals use symbols when interacting

Give 2 examples of symbols

Women of SociologySelect one of the following women. In 4-5 sentences give a brief overview of their life and discuss their contributions

to the early development of sociology.

Harriet Martineau – in book Jane Addams – in book Emily Greene Balch Jessie Bernard Florence Kelley

Chapter 1 Vocabulary – Unit 1

1. Sociology2. Social sciences3. Social interaction4. Social phenomena5. Sociological perspectives6. Sociological imagination7. Anthropology8. Psychology 9. Social psychology

10. Economics11. Political Science12. History

Chapter 1 Vocabulary 1 – Unit 21. Social Darwinism2. Function3. Verstehen4. Ideal type5. Theory6. 3 theories – in notes7. Dysfunctional8. Manifest function

9. Latent function10. Symbol11. Symbolic interaction12. Theoretical Perspective

Ticket out the doorThink about and respond either individually or with a partner…

How can sociology assist you in everyday life?

Seeing people as social beings Finding balance between personal desires and the demands or

expectations of your social environment Viewing your life within a larger social and historical context,

rather than just you as one individual in the world