S o c i o l o g y 1 0 2 : h o r n b e c k

W e e k 1 :

I n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e S o c i o l o g y o f A m e r i c a n C u l t u r e

Soc io logy & Common Sense

Common sense is grounded in our personal experience, yet it may not be reliable or accurate when thinking about whole groups or a population.

A sociological perspective, in contrast, reflects a systematic analysis of facts.

Sociology differs from common sense because we must hold our opinions and assumptions up to the test of empirical evidence.

W e e k 1 : I n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e S o c i o l o g y o f A m e r i c a n C u l t u r e

In t roduc ing Terms & Art icu lat ing Methods

S O C I O L O G YA systemat ic , sc ient ifi c method of

observ ing and cr i t ica l ly analyz ing t rends that develop wi th in soc iet ies , between

groups and soc ia l inst i tut ions

W e e k 1 : I n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e S o c i o l o g y o f A m e r i c a n C u l t u r e

In t roduc ing Terms & Art icu lat ing Methods

S O C I E T Y

T h e b a s i c s t r u c t u r e a n d i n t e r a c t i o n s o f a g r o u p o f p e o p l e o r t h e n e t w o r k o f r e l a t i o n s h i p s b e t w e e n e n t i t i e s

W e e k 1 : I n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e S o c i o l o g y o f A m e r i c a n C u l t u r e

In t roduc ing Terms & Art icu lat ing Methods

In your group, respond to the following questions: (5 min.)

How do you think society constrains our thoughts and behaviors (“constrain” = severely restrict the scope, extent, or activity of)

Describe how your own social background has affected an important attitude you have, a behavior you have engaged in, or a value you have about life. (“value” = a standard that shapes how you act, the choices you make for your future, and what is most important in life)

W e e k 1 : I n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e S o c i o l o g y o f A m e r i c a n C u l t u r e

In t roduc ing Terms & Art icu lat ing Methods

C U L T U R EThe complex sys tems o f mean ing and behav io r that defi nes the way o f l i fe fo r a g iven group or soc ie ty.

C u l t u r e I n fl u e n c e s : Language Norms, Beliefs, & Values Opportunities & Privileges Social Structures & Experiences Self-Concepts & Personal

Identity

W e e k 1 : I n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e S o c i o l o g y o f A m e r i c a n C u l t u r e

In t roduc ing Terms & Art icu lat ing Methods

S o c i o l o g y 1 0 2 : h o r n b e c k

W e e k 1 :

I n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e S o c i o l o g y o f A m e r i c a n C u l t u r e

C U L T U R EThe complex systems of meaning and behavior that defi nes the way of l i fe for a g iven group or soc iety.

Character ist ics o f Cu l ture: Culture is SHARED Culture is LEARNED Culture is SYMBOLIC Culture is TAKEN FOR GRANTED Culture VARIES ACROSS

TIME/PLACE

W e e k 1 : I n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e S o c i o l o g y o f A m e r i c a n C u l t u r e

In t roduc ing Terms & Art icu lat ing Methods

N o r m sGroup-held beliefs about how members should

behave in a given context; i.e. Expectations

App ly ing Soc io logy – Norming Society

V a r i a t i o n s o f N o r m s :

Formal Norms: Groups explicitly outline and implement behavioral expectations.

Informal Norms: Emerge gradually as a result of repeated use of discretionary stimuli to control behavior.

Prescriptive Norms: Indicate what we so should do in a given circumstance

Proscriptive Norms: Indicate what we should NOT DO in a given instance

Subjective Norms: Determined by how one believes important others want them to behave/act

App ly ing Soc io logy – Norming Society

The Sociological Imagination

The abi l i ty to see soc ieta l patterns that infl uence ind iv idual and group l i fe .

Works on 3 levels:

Historical ContextIndividual BiographySocial Structures

W.E.B. Du Bois

C. Wright Mills

The Sociological Imagination (in Practice)

In this exercise we will be applying our understanding of the Sociological Imagination to the research method of Personal Interview.

In your groups, begin telling your story using the main components of the Sociological Imagination: (each person should share for no more than 5min.)

Historical Context Individual Biographies Social Structures

As you listen to your group members’ stories, take enough notes so that you will be able to introduce them to the rest of the class using the Sociological Imagination.

S o c i a l F a c t s General - They are general

throughout society. They are diffused throughout the group.

External - Social facts exist outside the individual, are prior to the individual, and exist independently of their will.

Constra in ing - They often have some sort of sanction, manifested in coercion of ostracism, against any individual who resists them.

S o c i o l o g i c a l R e s e a r c h

*Var iab le : A measurable trait or characteristic that is subject to change under different conditions.

T h e S o c i o l o g i c a l I m a g i n a t i o n

Troubles Occur within the character of

the individual and within the range of her/his immediate relations with others

IssuesInvolves the organization of many factors outside the individual’s control and immediate environment• Negatively affects a

lager number of people

• Stems from a specific social cause

• Can only be solved through social action

Group Discussion – Sociological Imagination

In your groups , d iscuss the v ideo “The People ’s Grocery ” – us ing the S o c i o l o g i c a l I m a g i n a t i o n :

The People's Grocery | global oneness project

What was the social problem that The People’s Grocery observed in their community? Was it a trouble or an Issue? In what ways? What was the History of the communities problem?

Social Structures? Biographies?

Nominate one person from your group to share what you observed about the video with the rest of the class