SOCIOLOGY

The social science of human interactions.

CHAPTER 1 (the basics)

• Sociology is a study of social impacts on human behaviour.

• Research is used in order to accurately predict and make sense out of our social reality. Ch 1 covers research in some detail.

• Sociology arose in Europe during the mid 19th century. The happened through the expansion of the ‘’ sciences ‘’. This was the period of ‘’ Enlightenment ‘’ . Brought on by the Industrial Revolution and Colonialism. Your text goings into detail about this.

• Social Myths work to cloud out realities, curb out judgments even if there is odious evidence to prove other wise. ( Michael Shermer , Ted – talks)

• Our role in this course .... Is to become critical thinkers , dealing with facts as we analyze substantiated research findings.

Conspiracy theory's • The only theories that require little to no actual evidence.

• Are based on the natural human instinct to question and challenge authority.

• Other forms of falsely based belief systems are ….urban legends, gossip and stereotypes.

• Sociology is a science . We will deal only with information that is based on scientific fact and research only.

Putting Social Life into Perspective

• The Sociological Imagination

• Why Study Sociology?

• The Importance of a Global Sociological Perspective….

• The study of Micro and Macro perspectives

Micro and Macro

Micro Macro

Micro theories are small scale. Consider it a magnifying glass, when you look through it, you 'zoom' in to the society and see the individuals who have made up that particular society.

Macro theories focus on the society as a whole ...... Examining the bigger picture. It aims to answer three basic questions:

1) What holds societies together? 2) What are the sources of conflict in a society? 3) How and why do societies change?

Sociological Imagination

The work of C. Wright Mills

C. Wright Mills [1916-1962]

In order to predict our social fate we must be capable of identifying our

current social status .... *Knowing where you are on the map

!!

• If you can master sociological imagination you will not suffer from a false sense of conciseness.

C . Wright Mills calls for a sociological vision, a way of looking at the world that can see links between the private problems of the individual and important social issues.

A connection between micro and macro issues....social cause and effect !

The realization that outside forces can have a direct effect on our lives ….. Politics , the economy , our social class , race , gender , sexual orientation …….

• C. Wright Mills was interested in empowering the masses by awaking them to their own social realities ….. This was controversial and ground breaking at the time , 1959.

• Examples : – Divorce …. A person may feel personal failure due to

a divorce. Mills would link every divorce with the larger macro social issue of divorce rates due to the effects of other social issues placed on marriages.

– Unemployment …. A person may feel unproductive and helpless due to unemployment. Mills might link this to a sagging economy , cultural marginalization or many other macro issues.

• Suicide is a commonly used example for demonstrating Sociological Imagination.

• Suicide is obviously a personal crisis.• It is also 100% related and linked to larger

macro social issues.– Addition– Mental health– Bullying– Financial despair – Serious illness

• Mills would suggest that there are outside forces engaged in confirming your future.– Your level of education.– Your ability for upward class mobility.– Your chances of becoming more successful then your parents.– The effects of marginalisation.

– Being blinded by a false sense of conciseness• If I work hard I will get what I want in life !• Good things come to those who earn them!• Good things happen to good people !• We can all be middle or upper middle class !• Education will insure middle class !

•Wake up !!!!

The Theory's

• Key Figures : Emile Durkheim , Karl Marx , Max Webber , Herbert Spencer.

• Functional Theory : Analyzes how social systems operate to insure a functioning society. And to avoid dramatic changes.

• Conflict Theory : Understands life to be a struggle for scars resources. That the high classes control power over lower classes. That change is constant.

• Feminist Theory : Draws upon the understandings of women and members of other marginalized groups.

Functionalist Theory

Emile Durkheim(1858-1916), functionalist theory.

‘’Social facts must be explained by other social facts’’.

His analyses of phenomena such as suicide, religion, crime, education, and the professions established functionalist sociological theory

Functionalist Theory• Functionalist believe in a functionally stable society …..

That all parts of our society should complement one another in harmony….government , local community and the business sector must all work together.

• This theory works much like a tree!– the roots of the tree is are local communities.– the government is in powered by the people and acts as the

tree trunk carries the nutrients from the roots to the leaves. – With out healthy leaves the tree would die ….. With out

healthy roots the same would accrue.

Health leaves represent a prospering society

Government, laws and infrastructure insure stability and growth

The roots “community “provide nourishment ….the role of the roots and leaves are dependent on each other.

When a society fails at any level it is likely because one of its important elements is not working in harmony with the others. This causes a weakness in society ! ….Causes include , social greed, injustice, political and economic instability , and war

A weak society is susceptible to destruction when social stressors and strain accrue. Like a weakened tree in a wind storm!!!

The weakest link So if society suffers at any level it is contributed to a weak factor with in it.

Justice system

Healthcare

Education

Economy

Foreign policy

Religion

In this case education is the weak link, How could scenario effect the other social links?

(Group work )

Conflict Theory

Mike Moore, Rodger and Me

• C Wright Mills was a conflict theorist.• Karl Marx (1818-1883) a German theorist, is recognized as

being the father of the Conflict Theory….he is not Santa’s brother !!!

Karl Marx (1818-1883), socialism and Conflict theory.

‘’History is the history of class struggle..... Men's ideas change with changes in the conditions of their material existence....social enlightenment leads to personal empowerment’’.

He studied philosophy at Berlin and then edited a radical newspaper, which argued that the privileges of privileged groups blocks progress.This brought him into conflict with the authorities, and he had to flee from Germany to France and then to England. There, he lived in poverty (most of his children died from lack of food and medicine),

organized the First International Workingmen's Association....the birth of the labour union

The Conflict Theory believes that Inequality exists in societies because of Wealth and Power. The haves and have-nots

Roger & Me

Conflict Theorist believes that the Rich and Powerful in society control and maintain power for themselves on the backs of the lower classes.

They believe that most of our social issue would be erased if the rich shared their wealth more freely.

Total Wealth

The Wealthy

The conflict theory recognizes that 80% of our worlds wealth is controlled by less than 20% of it’s population.

Caracas , (Car-rock-us) ,is the capital of Venezuela - the shacks on the left are called ranchos and most of the hillsides in the area are inhabited by the poorer population (a whopping 80% of the entire population of Caracas) in similar housing.

Feminist Theory• The study of how gender effects the

experiences and opportunities of men and women.

• Often takes a Conflict view on issues from a power perspective……men maintaining power.

Feminist believe that gender inequality is the fundamental feature of society.

It exists in most social structures and affects our interactions.

During WW2 women filled factory jobs while men fought in the war.

• We are all created equally. • A Woman's independence is related to the level of

dependency she has on her male partner.....or male dominated society.

• Education is a means to change.• Sexism leads to oppression.

Gloria Steinem , 1934 -

Gloria Steinem was one of the most prominent activists of second-wave feminism in the 1960’s and 70’s. For several decades she has continued to write and speak about societal roles, politics, and issues affecting women.

Manon Rhéaume

Symbolic Interactionist

the micro theory of independent self control

• Symbolic Interactionism speaks to being connected to the actions of others.

• It points out that we all of the power to make changes in our lives. ….becoming educated / managing addition / living healthier / class mobility ….

• That even though we are all effected by macro forces such as the Conflict , Feminist and Functionalist theory's in the end we can make conscious choses.

This micro view of independent thought and change can in turn have a macro effect on society………one person having a massive effect on others.

• We are constantly negotiating and navigating our lives by our connection with others.

• The values and behaviors we choose are all selected by how others treat us and the messages we choose to send.

• The values you choose will in turn be reinforced by society…… self-fulfilling prophecy !

The End

• Please read more on chapter 1 in your text.