Introduction to Sociology

Definition and Scope

• Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior, relationships, and institutions.
• It examines the social structures, institutions, and relationships that shape human behavior and society.

Founding Fathers of Sociology

• Auguste Comte (1798-1857): Coined the term "sociology" and emphasized the use of scientific methods.
• Karl Marx (1818-1883): Focused on the role of economics and class struggle in shaping society.
• Emile Durkheim (1858-1917): Explored the concept of social solidarity and the role of institutions.

Key Concepts

• Social Structure: The pattern of relationships and institutions that shape human behavior.
• Social Institutions: Established organizations and systems that shape society, such as family, education, and government.
• Social Interaction: The ways in which individuals interact with each other and the social environment.
• Socialization: The process by which individuals learn and internalize social norms and values.

Research Methods

• Quantitative Methods: Use numerical data and statistical analysis to study social phenomena.
• Qualitative Methods: Focus on non-numerical data, such as observations, interviews, and content analysis.

Theoretical Perspectives

• Functionalism: Views society as a system with interdependent parts that work together to maintain social order.
• Conflict Theory: Sees society as a system of power struggles and conflicting interests.
• Symbolic Interactionism: Examines how individuals interpret and negotiate meaning in social interactions.

Specializations

• Criminology: The study of crime, deviance, and social control.
• Demography: The study of population dynamics and demographics.
• Social Psychology: The study of individual behavior and mental processes in social contexts.

Definition and Scope

• Sociology examines human social behavior, relationships, and institutions, shaping human behavior and society.
• It studies social structures, institutions, and relationships that influence human behavior.

Founding Fathers of Sociology

• Auguste Comte coined the term "sociology" and emphasized scientific methods.
• Karl Marx focused on economics and class struggle in shaping society.
• Emile Durkheim explored social solidarity and the role of institutions.

Key Concepts

• Social structure: the pattern of relationships and institutions shaping human behavior.
• Social institutions: established organizations and systems, such as family, education, and government.
• Social interaction: the ways individuals interact with each other and their social environment.
• Socialization: the process of learning and internalizing social norms and values.

Research Methods

• Quantitative methods: use numerical data and statistical analysis to study social phenomena.
• Qualitative methods: focus on non-numerical data, such as observations, interviews, and content analysis.

Theoretical Perspectives

• Functionalism: views society as a system with interdependent parts maintaining social order.
• Conflict Theory: sees society as a system of power struggles and conflicting interests.
• Symbolic Interactionism: examines how individuals interpret and negotiate meaning in social interactions.

Specializations

• Criminology: studies crime, deviance, and social control.
• Demography: studies population dynamics and demographics.
• Social Psychology: studies individual behavior and mental processes in social contexts.