CHAPTER 1:

1. CHAPTER 1: THE SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION

2. WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY? The systematic study of social interaction at a variety of levels 1

3. Interaction–Individuals 1 • Interaction between individuals • A dating couple • Co-workers

4. Interaction–Groups 1 • Interaction between groups • Newcomers and old-timers in a community • High school cliques

5. Interaction–Nations 1 • Interaction between nations • Immigration patterns • Economic globalization

6. Beyond Common Sense Sociology goes beyond what we call common sense in several ways

7. But I'm Unique! 1 Some people object to the systematic study of interaction. They argue that interaction is not patterned and regular.

8. Application • What would happen if we didn't have patterned interactions? • Traffic • Shopping • Conversation

9. Why Do We Need Sociology? 1 Some people argue that sociology is just common sense. It makes the obvious difficult.

10. Application True/False: The death penalty reduces crime. True/False: Living together decreases the chance of getting divorced. True/False: Opposites attract.

11. 1 These and many other common sense ideas are false. A systematic study of interaction can show us what really happens.

12. Sociology Goes Beyond Common Sense. 1 Common sense often distorts reality. Common sense is often contradictory. Common sense perceptions change over time. Much of our common sense is based on myths and misconceptions.

13. THE SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION 2 According to C. Wright Mills, the sociological imagination is the ability to see the connection between individual lives and larger social influences.

14. Sociological Imagination 2 The sociological imagination sees the connection between personal troubles (biography) and structural (public and historical) issues.

15. Application • How could each of these situations be both a trouble and an issue? • Divorce • Unemployment • Violence

16. Microsociology 2 • Focuses on small-scale patterns of individuals' social interaction in specific settings • Individuals interacting as friends • Patterns of interaction within families

17. Macrosociology 2 • Focuses on large-scale patterns and processes that characterize society as a whole • Comparison of divorce rates for different countries • Effect of trade policies on unemployment rates

18. Why is sociology important? 2 • It can help us make informed decisions. • Should we live together before marriage? • Should the U.S. increase the minimum wage?

19. Sociology and Diversity 2 • Sociology can help us understand diversity. • Who are the non-Hispanic whites? • What happens when men work in traditionally female occupations?

20. Sociology and Policy 2 • Sociology can help us evaluate social and public policies. • Does a curfew for teenagers effectively reduce crime? • Should the United States have government provided health care?

21. ORIGINS OF SOCIOLOGICAL THINKING 3 • Auguste Comte • The "father of sociology" • Argued for the empirical study of society • Analyzed social statics and dynamics

22. Emile Durkheim 3 Analyzed social facts, social solidarity, division of labor, and social integration Conducted study of suicide and social integration

23. Karl Marx 3 Analyzed Industrial Revolution Studied capitalism, class conflict, and alienation

24. Max Weber 3 Argued for the importance of ideas, ideologies, and charismatic leaders Argued for verstehen or subjective understanding Argued for value-free sociology

25. Discussion 3 Is it possible to be a value free sociologist? Should sociology be value free?

26. Other Social Thinkers 3 • Other important early social thinkers included: • Harriet Martineau • Jane Addams • W. E. B. Du Bois

27. CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES 4 A theory is a set of statements that explains why a phenomenon occurs. Theories are tools and evolve over time.

28. The Perspectives 4 • Functionalism • How does structure help society work? • Conflict • How are resources distributed? • Feminist • How does life reflect gender? • Interactionism • How do we construct meaning through symbols?

29. Functionalism 4 Society is a complex system of interdependent parts that work together to ensure a society's survival. Functions are purposes and activities to meet different needs that contribute to a society's stability

30. Functionalism 4 Manifest functions are intended and recognized. Latent functions are unintended and unrecognized. Dysfunctions have negative impacts

31. Application • The cell phone • What are the manifest functions? • What are the latent functions? • What are the dysfunctions? • Divorce • What are the manifest functions? • What are the latent functions? • What are the dysfunctions?

32. Conflict Theory 4 Conflict theory examines the ways in which groups disagree, struggle over power, and compete for scarce resources. Karl Marx predicted that conflict would result from widespread economic inequality.

33. Conflict Theory 4 The "haves" dominate in social, political, and economic activities over the "have-nots."

34. Discussion 4 In what ways is your education influenced by whether you are a "have" or a "have-not?" Do kids from wealthy families have an advantage in sports?

35. Feminist Theories 4 Feminist theories explain the social, economic, and political position of women in society. They maintain that women suffer injustice because of their sex. They seek to free women from traditionally oppressive expectations and constraints.

36. Discussion 4 In what ways do women have less power than men in our society? Should women serve in combat?

37. Symbolic Interactionism 4 Symbolic interactionism looks at individuals' everyday behavior and communication through symbols and shared meanings. It is a micro-level perspective. Interactionists see society as socially constructed.

38. We act differently in different situations.

39. Application Why is it a particular day of the week? How does a dating couple indicate that they are a together? How do we define the different racial categories that people are assigned? How do we know how to feel about a war?