Post on 03-Jan-2016
Chapter One
To better understand human society, sociologists study how humans interact with each other.
1. Describe the clothing and makeup the Huli men wear.
2. Identify the two possible meanings of the dance performed during the segment.
3. Explain why the Huli people are happy to welcome tourists.
4. State how the elder and the young boy who were interviewed feel about the traditions of their people and tourists’ role in keeping their traditions alive.
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Section 1
The primary interest of sociologists is the combination of The diversity of society/difference in how
people view a certain subjectexample: religion is a personal choice
The shared characteristics and ideas of societyexample: crime is wrong
For psychology, we had a math problem:PSYCHOLOGY = thoughts + behaviors
We have one for sociology too:SOCIOLOGY = human society + social behavior
Definition: look at social life in a scientific systematic way, rather than depending on common-sense explanations
Purpose of developingSee a connection between you and societyBroaden your view of the social worldLearn there are many views of social
realitySociological Imagination: the ability to
make a connection between your personal life and the larger world
Remember, the Social Sciences include: sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, economics, and political science
Section 2
Developed as a separate study in the late 1800s
Due to the Industrial Revolution and the many social changes due to urbanization
The Early Years—primarily in France, Germany, and England
Considered the father of sociology; he coined the name sociology
Intrigued by the causes and consequences of the French Revolution
Focused on social order and social changeSaid social statics hold society together
and social dynamics were the ways society changed
Never completed his college education
Pursued a study of sociology after inheriting enough money to quit working
Social Darwinism—coined the phrase survival of the fittest to refer to the similarities between societies and biological systems
Could never hold a job for long because of his revolutionary and radical ideas
Felt society was influenced by its economy and two groups—the proletariat (workers) and the bourgeoisie (capitalists/owners)
His views led to the development of conflict theory
Developed the first college sociology course in France
Focused only on observable phenomena
Organized the first sociological study—Suicide, 1897
Looked at separate groups in society
Verstehen: put yourself in someone else’s shoes
Employed the concept of ideal type—the basic components of features of society
FirstsCollege Class: University of Kansas, 1889College Department: University of Chicago,
1892Organization: 1905
Growth115 members in 1906Over 14,000 members today
Remember, a perspective is just an idea
Based on the ideas of Comte, Spencer, and Durkheim
View society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to ensure the social system runs smoothly
Functions—positive consequences for societyManifest Function: the intended consequenceLatent Function: the unintended consequence
Focus on the forces in society that promote competition and change; can be violent or non-violent
Competition over scarce resources (like money) is at the basis of social conflict
Focus is on how individuals interact with one another in society
Look at the role of symbols in our daily lives
Sociologists: study how society works together
Psychologists: study thoughts and behaviors of the individual
Economists: study financial situationsAnthropologists: study people—what makes
them different from animalsHistorians: study trends from the past