Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of positivism as described by Auguste Comte?
What is the primary focus of positivism as described by Auguste Comte?
Which of the following best describes the three states of social development proposed by Comte?
Which of the following best describes the three states of social development proposed by Comte?
How did Comte view sociology in relation to the scientific method?
How did Comte view sociology in relation to the scientific method?
What criticism is often leveled against Comte's positivism?
What criticism is often leveled against Comte's positivism?
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In what way did the influence of Enlightenment thought manifest in Comte's work?
In what way did the influence of Enlightenment thought manifest in Comte's work?
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Which of the following is a key element of Comte's vision for sociology?
Which of the following is a key element of Comte's vision for sociology?
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Which sociologist is noted for overshadowing Comte’s influence in the study of social order?
Which sociologist is noted for overshadowing Comte’s influence in the study of social order?
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What does the term 'social physics' refer to in Comte's work?
What does the term 'social physics' refer to in Comte's work?
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Which of the following best describes Alexis De Tocqueville's contributions to sociology?
Which of the following best describes Alexis De Tocqueville's contributions to sociology?
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What is the main principle of Auguste Comte's positivism?
What is the main principle of Auguste Comte's positivism?
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How does sociology distinguish itself as a science?
How does sociology distinguish itself as a science?
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What is a common critique of sociological theories?
What is a common critique of sociological theories?
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In what way did Enlightenment thought influence the development of sociology?
In what way did Enlightenment thought influence the development of sociology?
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Which concept is NOT commonly associated with the emergence of sociology?
Which concept is NOT commonly associated with the emergence of sociology?
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What is the relationship between agency and structure in sociological theory?
What is the relationship between agency and structure in sociological theory?
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Which of the following statements about societal transformations during the 18th century is most accurate?
Which of the following statements about societal transformations during the 18th century is most accurate?
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What was a primary focus of Alexis de Tocqueville's work during his visit to America in the 1830s?
What was a primary focus of Alexis de Tocqueville's work during his visit to America in the 1830s?
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Auguste Comte is best known for promoting which philosophical approach to sociology?
Auguste Comte is best known for promoting which philosophical approach to sociology?
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How did Harriet Martineau contribute to the understanding of sociology as a science?
How did Harriet Martineau contribute to the understanding of sociology as a science?
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Which of the following critiques is often levied against traditional sociological theories?
Which of the following critiques is often levied against traditional sociological theories?
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Which Enlightenment thinker heavily influenced the foundation of sociological thought, particularly through ideas of reason and progress?
Which Enlightenment thinker heavily influenced the foundation of sociological thought, particularly through ideas of reason and progress?
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What method is described as involving ‘methodical investigations and note-taking’ in early sociology?
What method is described as involving ‘methodical investigations and note-taking’ in early sociology?
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Which aspect of sociology did Wilhelm Dilthey emphasize in his analysis?
Which aspect of sociology did Wilhelm Dilthey emphasize in his analysis?
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Frédéric Le Play developed the monograph as a technique for which purpose?
Frédéric Le Play developed the monograph as a technique for which purpose?
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What did the ‘taste for investigation’ in literature primarily encourage?
What did the ‘taste for investigation’ in literature primarily encourage?
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Which social issue was highlighted in Charles Booth's work on poverty in London?
Which social issue was highlighted in Charles Booth's work on poverty in London?
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Study Notes
General Sociology Presentation 2024-2025
- Course taught by Felipe Koch
- Locations include IB, GB, AmLat, AmNord, Shanghai, and Europe
- Level 1
Introduction to Sociological Theory
- Course covers concepts and conceptual frameworks for analyzing social life
- Taught by Felipe Koch
- Offered by AEI International School, UPEC, 2023-2024
- Locations include AmLat, AmNord, Europe, Shanghai, IB, and GB
Quick Presentation
- Contact email: [email protected]
- Over 1000 students enrolled in License 1 AEI
- Course overview on sociology
Course "General Sociology"
- Focuses on orientation, studies, and the future
- Aims to develop critical thinking about oneself and the world
- Covers sociology/social sciences for understanding societies
- Explores three major currents in sociology
- Includes both quantitative and qualitative sociological methods
- Includes great historical surveys and great books of sociology
In short, the course...
- Aims for deep disciplinary knowledge
- Includes foundational material after SES specialty
- Covers specialized courses (sociology of work, business, organizations, etc)
- Guides students in the academic journey (personal reading, library research)
- Has students think about the future, observe and question
- Includes a survey in the second semester
Important Information
- Activate your UPEC email for course communications
- Course materials are available on the UPEC Eprel website (quick access/EPREL)
- Course code: 2860 (URL provided)
University Calendar
- Semester 1, Session 1:
- Lectures (12 sessions): September 9th-December 7th, 2024
- Tutorials (10 sessions): September 23rd-December 7th, 2024
- Tutorials (8 sessions): October 7th-December 7th, 2024
- Review Week: December 9th - 14th, 2023
- Exam Week 1: December 16th, 2024
- Exam Week 2: January 6th, 2025
- Semester 2, Session 1:
- Lectures (12 sessions): January 13th-April 19th, 2025
- Tutorials (10 sessions): January 27th-April 19th, 2025
- Tutorials (8 sessions): February 10th-April 19th, 2025
- Break: February 24th, 2025
- Exam Week 1: April 21st-26th, 2025
- Exam Week 2: April 28th, 2025
- Exam Week 3: May 5th, 2025
- Further study/internship period: June 30th-August 31st, 2025
Evaluation
- Common test about the course material with remote QCM
- Test at the last tutorial on the entire course
- Occasional in-class questionnaires and presentations
- January exam (2-hour written exam): students not taking tutorials
- June 2024 exam (2-hour written exam): students not taking tutorials (weeks 3 and 10/06/2024)
Method of Working
- Face-to-face lectures over 12 weeks (September 13th–December 6th, 2023)
- Lectures material advised with some online slides (not yet available)
- Readings from book chapters and articles
- Tutorials for 8 weeks (September 9th–December 2nd, 2023)
- Tutorials are entirely face-to-face
- 8 compulsory tutorials (with optional remote controls)
- Tutorials held weekly starting week of September 9th, 2023
- Online materials will be available
Work the CM well
- Take precise notes during class or transfer slideshows to word processing software
- Use the provided readings and notebooks for additional information
- Use resources like books, bookstores, CAIRN, press, and videos
- Dare to participate in observing social reality
Importance of EPREL website
- Activate and monitor your UPEC email
- Site provides access to courses
- Provides support and notes for course materials (called “entraide AEI”) by typing this text in your search engine
- Site offers supplementary documentation, announcements, and submission options
- Must contact professor to register; students in L2 or L3 (AJAP must ask instructor to sign up to complete L1 course if needed)
Importance of remote and on-site library
- UPEC website for libraries and digital resources
- Library catalogs using Athena for access to books (physical library)
- Press European Portal (physical resources)
- Journals Portal for specific journals (physical library) such as CAIRN/ JSTOR (physical library)
- Journals and books
Deepening
- Recommended podcasts for deeper understanding of topics (URLs provided)
Or...
- Book Recommendations: L'éloge du carburateur, La révolte des premiers de la classe, Bullshit Jobs
Bibliography
- Textbooks and works of sociology (complete bibliography online soon)
- Lists of authors and their work (including an outline and methodology)
Course Plan Semester 1
- Part I: Theory
- Part II: Methods
- Part II: Applications
Small Final Exercise: What is Sociology?
- View/listen to video available at indicated URL
- Deciphering definitions from the sociologists interviewed
- Ways to define sociology, including the field of study
- Analysis of the methods of study
- Identification of themes
Emergence of Sociology
- Nineteenth-century independent study field
- Analysis of social structures
- Concept of societal transformation
- The way people view themselves in society
Societal Transformation
- French Revolution (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity)
- American War of Independence (Declaration of Independence)
- Concept of political equality
Enlightenment Thought
- Focus on reason and rationality
- Emphasis on inalienable rights
- Focus on societal order
Reason/Science
- Emphasis on science as a key tool forward
- Importance of empiricism and observation
- Challenges to theological truths
Enlightenment
- Rejecting the power of religion, myths, and tradition
- Importance/understanding of reason and science
Knowing the Society: the first investigations
- Early forms/development of quantitative data gathering
- Birth of statistics and state emergence
- Use of censuses and data collection
The call for the investigation
- Social surveys, field observations
- Role of learned societies (detailed description of societies)
Testimonials from the actors themselves
- Specific call to action in a newspaper
- Goal of highlighting the status/conditions of workers
- Newspaper’s objective in investigation
- Describing workers' poor living/working conditions in their localities
###Investigations and literary writings
- Writers and books/articles regarding the analysis of social types
- Importance of observation and understanding
- Historical context and social conditions are included in these books
- Authors and publications include Balzac, Victor Hugo, Hector Malot, Charles Dickens, and Émile Zola
The emergence of qualitative surveys
- Observation as important collection method
- Detailed description of researchers (Louis René Villermé, Friedrich Engels, Charles Booth, Edouard Ducpétiaux, Joseph Moermans, and Louis-Charles Spaak, with their findings)
- Importance of the study of workers’ conditions.
Les « Poverty Maps » de Charles Booth. London 1888-1889
- Detailed geographical maps displaying poverty
Sociological Method
- Harriet Martineau translation of Auguste Comte theories and believes and sociology as a science
- Wilhelm Dilthey and interpretive understanding importance, role, and value of human behavior
Sociological Analysis
- Aims of sociological analysis, including explanation, understanding, and fostering empowerment and equality
- Plurality of research methods
- Plurality of theoretical perspectives
Early Examples of the Sociological Craft
- Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859), French observer
- Visited America (1830’s); studies on equality, democratic traditions, and social institutions
Early Observers
- Harriet Martineau (1802-1876), English observer
- Visited America (1830s)
- Focus on equality
- Highlighted gender and racial inequality
Theory
- Plurality/different perspectives of theorists’ perspectives, lenses, assumptions, and emphases
- Differing ways to look at different theories
- Different ways of looking at social reality
The birth of a tradition: describing society
- Objective, including quantitative and qualitative methods
- Description of knowledge gathering
II/ Theories and Interpretations of the social world
- Tocqueville and Democracy (1805-1859)
- Democracy and equality of condition importance of democratic societies
- Three processes regarding relationship representation
Reception of Comte's work
- Reception/critique given to Comte in subsequent generations
- Importance of methodology
- Usefulness of Comte's theories and work
Scientific knowledge vs personal beliefs
- Superiority of scientific knowledge
- Personal/family/friends’ beliefs overriding scientific knowledge
3) Marx and exploitation at the heart of class societies
- Karl Marx (1828-1884)
- Inequality; capitalist class societies
- Key role of access, power, and social domination relationships
- Sociological questions, order considerations
- Social order with its economic and ideological aspects and reproduction
Food for thought
- Questions about treating men as "things", understanding social poverty, and connections between facts and ideas
- Two major questions: What is social? What distinguishes ordinary knowledge of the social world from scientific knowledge?
- Three distinct trends
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