SOC

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)