5.31 WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY? ⼩视频⾥:- Sociology is the study of human life. Sociology is the study of society. The study of human behavior, social • interaction, social institutions, and society.
Why do people become homeless? – biography, History, Social Structure. •
August Comte(1798-1857) : – French philosopher. – Founder of sociology. – Argued that methods used in the natural • sciences should also be applied to the objective study society. – Social laws: Social statics+Social Dynamics.\
Biggest sociology funding father: Marx, Weber, Durkheim •
Research Methods: – Surveys – Secondary data analysis – Content analysis •
6.1 Review Of Dr. Peek’s Lecture
Sociology as a PERSPECTIVE rather than a body of knowledge • – Sociologists take bird’s eye view- look for patterns of behavior in groups. – How do patterns reflect societal influences?
Individualism vs. Collectivism • Comte- Social Status vs. Social Dynamics • Durkheim- Functionalism ( Prupose ) • Marx- Conflict perspective; bourgeoisie vs. proletariat • Marco vs. Micro vs. Meso perspectives • Quantitative vs. Qualitative research • Wicked problems •
Sociology
Sociology is the systematic study of human societies • Everyday social life is the product of a complex interplay between societal forces and personal characteristics • Sociology examines the interpersonal, historical, cultural, organizational, and global environments that individuals inhabit. •
Sociology and the individual
Individualistic explanations • – We tend to look at internal qualities to explain experiences.
Sociological explanations • – We focus on the external factors that shape individual choices and opportunities
Example • – Unemployment rates and economic conditions The Insights of Sociology
Other disciplines • – Biology – Focuses on innate characteristics – Genetics, bio-chemical explanations – Psychology – Focuses on personal characteristics – The mind and mental processes – Intelligence Video: Founding Fathers of Sociology
Origins of Sociology • 18th and 19th century Europe- • Why?
– Rise of factory – based industrial economy (Industrial
Revolution) – Explosive growth of cities (creation of social inequalities) – New ideas about democracy and political rights ( Enlightenment and revolutions)