Unit 1: What is Sociology?Essential Questions:

What do social groups do for you?

Did you choose your social group because they were like you, or did you become like them?

Sociology

• Definition

Groupsshapes who we are

•

Big Idea:

•Social Interaction,.

WHY BOTHER?

Most people don’t recognize how much they are shaped by the people around them

Most people assume that their

By understanding other groups

they are able to see

Sociological Imagination

• 1. The ability to see the connection between our lives, those of our social group, and

• 2. The ability to use sociology to examine what has happened and to

•Are you a completely unique individual or are you the product of the Town of New Providence, your parents, your school, or your friends?

•

The Background: Mr. Sociology

•August Comte:

•French philosopher

•Goal to uncover “laws” that govern society … lead to social reform and a better place to live

•Coined the term

•Considered the “founder” of sociology

Karl “must be the money” Marx

Marx thought that Class Struggle

between

Society is a

war

Between

Marx would be

Classified as a

Are the rich “really” happy?

Sociological Question: Why do many people believe that the rich are not really happy?

• Answer:

Herbert Spencer:“Survival of the Fittest”FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE:

•SPENCER: The death of the

Spencer fell out of favor because

Of his perceived

Emile Durkheim

•Used Science to examine groups

•Functionalist: institutions and practices in society

•Dysfunction: when society breaks down because of the

•

What would be the function of:

–Religion? (Durkheim’s favorite)

-Schools

-Prisons

-Organized Sports

Self-Test• What is Sociology?

• How does Sociological imagination help us better understand the world around us?

• Why is August Comte the father of sociology?

• What makes Karl Marx a conflict theorist?

• Are Herbert Spenser’s theories wrong? Why or why not?

• What function does Durkheim suggest an institution such as religion serve for our society?

5 components of culture

•Language

•Norms

•Values

•Symbol

•Physical Objects