Ch. 1: Sociology in a Changing World

Sociology and its Foundations

• Sociology: Systematic study of relationships between individuals and society.
• Sociological Perspective: Involves understanding connections between personal experiences and larger social contexts.
• C.Wright Mills: Authored "The Sociological Imagination" (1959), emphasizing the importance of sociological perspective.
• Commonsense vs. Sociology: Common assumptions often overlook the influence of societal structures on individual circumstances.

Key Sociologists and Theoretical Foundations

• Auguste Comte: Coined the term sociology; aimed for it to be a rigorous science that identifies laws of human behavior.
• Herbert Spencer: Viewed society as a "social organism" with interdependent parts that function together.
• Karl Marx: Analyzed conflict between owners and workers in capitalism; posited that exploitation would lead to a revolutionary change towards socialism.
• Emile Durkheim: Established sociology as an academic discipline; focused on the importance of social integration and collective bonds (social solidarity).
• Max Weber: Highlighted the role of culture, especially Protestantism, in the development of capitalism; introduced the concept of "verstehen" (understanding social action from the actor's perspective).

Social Change and Structure

• Modernity: Defined by democracy, personal freedom, reason, science, and urban industrial economies.
• Industrial Revolution: Transition from rural to urban centers, primarily in the 19th century.
• Urbanization: The growth and expansion of cities.

Social Integration and Regulation

• Division of Labor: Specialization in tasks requiring different skills.
• Social Integration: Strength of social ties that foster belonging.
• Social Regulation: Norms that control behavior, preventing anomie (normlessness).

Suicide and Social Factors

• Durkheim's Four Types of Suicide:
  • Egoistic: Caused by low social integration (e.g., isolated individuals).
  • Altruistic: Result of high social integration leading to self-sacrifice.
  • Anomic: Emerges from sudden social change, creating confusion.
  • Fatalistic: Arises from extreme social regulation and hopelessness.

Theoretical Approaches

• Structural-Functionalist Theories: Focus on consensus and how various societal parts function together for stability.
• Conflict Theories: Examine tensions and resource disparities; align with views of Marx and Weber on inequality and power struggles.
• Symbolic Interactionist Theories: Center on how shared symbols shape daily interactions and societal meanings.

Social Dynamics and Power

• Social Structure: Recurring behavior patterns across various societal levels, influencing daily interactions.
• Culture: A shared collection of values, norms, and practices passed through generations.
• Power: Ability to effect outcomes and allocate resources; exists at economic, political, and cultural levels.
• Inequality: Systematic disparities in resource distribution among groups.

Feminist and Postmodern Perspectives

• Feminist Theory: Focuses on gender inequality, examining its production and reinforcement within social contexts.
• Postmodernity: Marks a shift toward information economies and fragmented belief systems from the mid-20th century.

Notable Contributors

• Harriet Martineau: Early female sociologist advocating for women's rights and social progress.
• W.E.B. Du Bois: First African American to earn a PhD from Harvard; conducted pioneering studies on black communities.
• Jane Addams: Founded Hull House; recognized for her efforts in social reform and peace advocacy.

Promises of Sociology

• Offers insights into understanding and potentially improving social issues.
• Enhances our comprehension of society and our personal roles within it.