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Assignment 1. Turn index card and website/syllabus quiz into red folder Make sure you sign in as soon as your arrive to avoid being marked late. Building a learning community getting to know each other. Introduce yourself to 2-3 people sitting around you.
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Assignment 1 • Turn index card and website/syllabus quiz into red folder • Make sure you sign in as soon as your arrive to avoid being marked late
Building a learning community getting to know each other Introduce yourself to 2-3 people sitting around you. “My name is ____and if I were stranded on an island the one thing I would want to have with me is _____ because ____” Or “My name is ____ and I’m taking this class because_____” Get the name, e-mail address, and phone number of at least 2 other students in class 5 minutes
Today: Sociologists to know Major theories People to know Applying 3 major theories
Note taking tips • Use the note taking guide to look for most important concepts (after today will only be available on website prior to class) • Don’t try to write down every word you see on a slide-these will be on the website after class • Write down just the information/examples that click most for you • What works for you? • Review your notes soon after class
Class structure This class will be a mix of: • Lecture using real life examples • Partner/Group activities • Real world connections through -articles -videos -discussion
What is sociology? • The systematic study of human society, social groups, and social interactions
What are sociologists interested in? • Social Interaction • Group behavior • Culture • Language • Race Relations • Family • Immigration • Inequality • Gender roles • And so much more
Sociological Perspective/ Sociological Imagination C. Wright Mills
Sociological Perspective/ Sociological Imagination C. Wright Mills • Ability to see the many ways society influences our thoughts and actions
Sociological Imagination Your sociological imagination is your ability to see things from different angles and examine events/actions from a broader view point. How many people are in this image?
Sociological Imagination Allows us to refocus our lens
How do sociologists think?Individual vs. Society Behavior = Professor X has a full class with 10 students on the waiting list and many students asking to add Cause =Professor X is an outstanding teacher, students love the class and recommend it to others Therefore=Student behavior is being impacted by Professor X’s individual teaching style and personality Societal Perspective Individual Perspective Cause =The state is in a budget crisis and cutting education funds so schools are cutting classes while more students are going back to school due to being laid off Therefore= Student behavior is being impacted by the economy. All classes are full not just Professor X’s
How do sociologists think?Individual vs. Society Situation = Max was laid off and cannot find a job Cause =Max is not hard working, he’s not getting his resume out there, he is not qualified for many jobs, he is not well educated Therefore=Max’s situation is being impacted by faults in him Societal Perspective Individual Perspective Cause = Economic difficulties are causing most companies to let go many employees Therefore= Max’s situation is being impacted by the economy. Many highly qualified people in the state where he lives are out of work
How do sociologists think?Psychologists vs. Sociologists Behavior = 21 year old female commits suicide after surviving being raped Sociologist’s Perspective Psychologist’s Perspective -Might ask about her feelings -Might ask if she was suffering from depression after the rape -Might ask about the period of time this person lived in -Might ask about the culture she lives in
Which is the best predictor of your chances of success in school? A) your gender B) social class/economic status of your parents C) your race/ethnicity D) your work ethic/level of responsibility E) the difficulty level of your major
Chances of success in school based on parent’s socioeconomic status Jack and Jill are of equal intelligence, work ethic, grades in high school, preparation
How do sociologists think? Any behavior Sociologist’s Perspective Individual Perspective Focus on influence of aspects bigger than one person (the time, place, and culture the individual lives in as well as how these factors might influence their beliefs and actions) Focus on a particular person’s characteristics or experiences
Use your sociological imagination With 1-2 partners choose one of the situations below and explain the behavior from and individual perspective and a sociological perspective James in an alcoholic man Jessica spends too much of her money on makeup Sociologist’s Perspective Individual Perspective Focus on influence of aspects bigger than one person (the time, place, and culture the individual lives in, and how these factors might influence their beliefs and actions) Focus on a particular person’s characteristics or experiences 5 minutes
Social location • How would your life be different if you were born in: • a different place • time period • of a different race • gender • economic status • religion • and had a different type of education?
Debunking in sociology-Peter Berger • Many people think sociology is “common sense” • Debunking=looking below the surface or behind the curtain of every day life to gain a deeper understanding of society • Example: what is school?
Critical distance • Sociologists need to develop critical distance when conducting research • This is the ability to look at a topic in the most objective way possible by detaching from the situation and viewing things with a critical mind Is this really possible? Why or why not?
3 major perspectives in sociology What is social theory? A set of ideas that aims to allow us to: 1. Understand what is happening in the world 2. Why it is happening 3. What might happen in the future 4. Promote social change
What is society? Society is like… 1)Society is like the human body. Every part serves a function 2)Society is like the NFL Everyone is in competition 3)Society is like a play. We are all actors on a stage.
What is society? Society is like… 3 major theories in sociology 1)Society is like the human body. Every part serves a function 2)Society is like the NFL Everyone is in competition 3)Society is like a play. We are all actors on a stage. Structural functionalism Conflict Theory Symbolic Interactionsim
Major Theories Structural functionalism sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability. Emphasizes the importance of: • Social Structure (how things work) • Social Functions (what someone or something’s job/role is) • Maintaining the harmony and organization • Is it functional or dysfunctional for society? (Does it maintain the status quo or disrupt it?) (Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer, Robert Merton)
Major Theories Conflict theory sees society as an arena of inequality Emphasizes the importance of: • Competition (over scarce resources) • Inequality: Ongoing conflicts between those who have power and disadvantaged categories of people: -rich vs poor, men vs women, employers vs employees. Helps sociologists investigate how factors such as race, gender, ethnicity, class, and age are linked to unequal distribution of money, power, education and social prestige. (W. E. B. Du Bois, Karl Marx)
Major Theories Symbolic Interactionism sees society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals. • Emphasizes that: • Human beings living in a world of symbols and attaching meaning and labels to virtually everything. • Reality is how we define our surroundings, our duties towards others, and even our own identities. • Emphasizes group influence - meanings grow out of relationships (George Herbert Mead, Charles Horton Cooley, Erving Goffman)
Using all 3 theories is the best way to understand any aspect of society Example: Illness Structural functionalism Every part serves a function Everyone is in competition We are all actors on a stage Conflict Theory Symbolic Interactionsim
Conflict Theorist Symbolic Interactionist Functionalist Who would say it? Read the statements and discuss with a partner who would say each. 5 mins a. Environmental problems must be identified and defined by people to be problems. EX: Plastic water bottle use was once considered the norm in the U.S., but is now considered by some to be wasteful. b. Environmental conditions become social problems when groups disagree over environmental policies EX: It is beneficial for some groups to mass produce clothing in a factory, though it may be harmful to other groups who live near that factory c. Environmental problems are social problems when they cause social disorganization. EX: Water pollution is a problem when it prevents ships from delivering goods to a particular port. (Sullivan, 2006; 342)
Conflict Theorist Symbolic Interactionist Functionalist 3 mins Who would say it? Read the statements and discuss with a partner who would say each. a. Media images become social problems when groups use these images to exert power over others and serve their own interests. EX: news programs in certain countries only showing positive reports about their President b. If people do not know their roles, or are unable to perform roles due to media images, then social dysfunctions occur. EX: a mother who feels she should focus her resources on maintaining physical beauty may neglect her responsibilities to her children c. Social definitions can change over time and the media has the power to influence definitions EX: repeated images of Latina women as uneducated housekeepers cause stereotyping
Break Survey Results 10 minute break about half way through (exact time will vary depending on content) If you leave class at the break you will not receive any attendance/participation points for the day Punctuality You will lose 2 points every time you are late to class (one tardy forgiven)
Grading 2 Papers- 15 points Class Participation- 15 points (15, 10, 5, 0) 3 quizzes-15 points each 8 Assignments-40 points total A #1-Syllabus and Website Quiz plus Website form. 4 points A #2-Photo and info card. 4 points. A #3-Cultural artifact. 2 points. A #4-Be a sociologist. 10 points. A #5-Crime article. 8 points. A #6-Stereotype. 4 points. A #7-Media image 4 points. A #8-Article reflection Religion 4 points Final-20 points Total PointsPossible-150
Extra Credit Extra credit assignments range between 1-4 points each Opportunities will be posted on the website 10 points maximum possible (there are many extra credit options but do not do more than 10 points worth) Can raise a B+ to an A but not a B- to an A Don’t rely on the extra credit
What do these people have in common? • Michelle Obama • Robin Williams • Rev. Jesse Jackson • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. • Dr. Ruth Westheimer (the “sex doctor”) • Regis Philbin • Joe Theismann (former football player) They all majored in Sociology
How did sociology start? Sociology developed in the middle of the 19th century when European social observers began to use scientific methods to test their ideas. • Sociology emerged out of social upheaval. • The success of the revolutions in America and France encouraged people to rethink their ideas about social life.
Important sociologists-Why do these people matter? • Why we learn about important people in sociology: • Understanding contributions of notable sociologists helps you understand what sociology is all about • Possible paper/final topics • How will we learn about them? • Not memorization of names, dates, and theory names • Expert groups • Focus on 3 important contributions of each person • Focus on how their theory is (or is not) relevant today
Auguste Comte (1798 –1857) 1. Coined the term “sociology” 2. Comte suggested the use of positivism: applying the scientific approach to the social world 3. Believed that this new science should not only discover sociological principles, but should then apply those principles to social reform.
In groups of 5 • Read about your assigned sociologist • Notice important points as you read • Share what you highlighted with your group • Choose 1 recorder to write on paper (large and neat handwriting) • Choose 2 researchers to list 3 major points of the sociologist's theory (or theories) according to your class reading as well as your text • The whole group: Do you think his/her theory applies today? Why or why not? • Choose 2 speakers or more people to talk about your findings with the class 15 minutes
Herbert Spencer 1820-1903 3 major points Do you think his theory applies today? Why or why not?
Karl Marx 1818-1883 3 major points Do you think his theory applies today? Why or why not?
Emile Durkheim 1858-1917 3 major points Do you think his theory applies today? Why or why not?
Max Weber 1864-1920 3 major points Do you think his theory applies today? Why or why not?
Harriet Martineau 1802-1876 3 major points of their theory/theories Do you think her theory applies today? Why or why not?
Jane Addams 1860-1935 3 major points of their theory/theories Do you think her theory applies today? Why or why not?
W.E.B. Du Bois 1868-1963 3 major points of their theory/theories Do you think his theory applies today? Why or why not?
George Herbert Mead • 1863-1931 • 3 major points • Do you think his theory applies today? Why or why not?
Charles Horton Cooley 1864-1929 • 1864-1929 • 3 major points • Do you think his theory applies today? Why or why not?
Robert K. Merton • 1910-2003 • 3 major points • Do you think his theory applies today? Why or why not?
What would they say? Work in a group of 4-5. Focus on one theory. What might the theory say or ask about the topic of teenage pregnancy? Functionalist Conflict Theorist Symbolic Interactionist Remember, this theory is concerned with roles people perform and how society functions. Does it keep the status quo or disrupt it? Remember, this theory is concerned with inequality and looks for groups that might be taking advantage of other groups Remember, this theory is concerned with the influence of social groups, labels, and meanings of symbols 5 mins
Functionalist Conflict Theorist Symbolic Interactionist What would they say? Work in a group of 4-5. Focus on one theory. What might the theory say or ask about the topic of teenage pregnancy? Remember, this theory is concerned with roles people performand how society functions. Does it keep the status quo or disrupt it? Remember, this theory is concerned withinequality and looks for groups that might be taking advantageof other groups Remember, this theory is concerned with the influence of social groups, labels, and meanings of symbols