Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the central focus of the functionalist perspective?
What is the central focus of the functionalist perspective?
- Individual experiences and subjective interpretations
- Conflict and power dynamics
- Social change and revolution
- Stability and social order (correct)
What concept did Durkheim propose to explain higher suicide rates in industrializing places?
What concept did Durkheim propose to explain higher suicide rates in industrializing places?
- Material social facts
- Anomie (correct)
- Social mobility
- Latent dysfunction
What example is given in the text to illustrate the concept of anomie in entertainment fiction?
What example is given in the text to illustrate the concept of anomie in entertainment fiction?
- A historical drama about war
- A comedy about social relationships
- A documentary on poverty
- A post-apocalyptic world represented in 'The Walking Dead' (correct)
In the context of sociology, what are 'social facts'?
In the context of sociology, what are 'social facts'?
What is a 'latent dysfunction', as referred to in the content?
What is a 'latent dysfunction', as referred to in the content?
What was one potential problem with lunch-time supervision in schools in the 1970s?
What was one potential problem with lunch-time supervision in schools in the 1970s?
What does the concept of 'values' refer to, as described in the text?
What does the concept of 'values' refer to, as described in the text?
What was a major concern of scholars that contributed to the development of sociology?
What was a major concern of scholars that contributed to the development of sociology?
Which of the following is an example of a material social fact, as described in the text?
Which of the following is an example of a material social fact, as described in the text?
According to Auguste Comte, what should be used to study social life?
According to Auguste Comte, what should be used to study social life?
What was Auguste Comte's initial term for the scientific study of society?
What was Auguste Comte's initial term for the scientific study of society?
What does sociology recognize society to be more than?
What does sociology recognize society to be more than?
What is at the heart of the sociological approach?
What is at the heart of the sociological approach?
What is meant by the term 'colonization' according to the content?
What is meant by the term 'colonization' according to the content?
According to the content, what does the term 'physics' refer to in the context of 'social physics'?
According to the content, what does the term 'physics' refer to in the context of 'social physics'?
What is an example of social phenomenon, according to the content?
What is an example of social phenomenon, according to the content?
Which historical event is identified as a significant catalyst for the emergence of sociology?
Which historical event is identified as a significant catalyst for the emergence of sociology?
What is a key focus of feminist practice at the micro level?
What is a key focus of feminist practice at the micro level?
What does the postmodern perspective emphasize regarding societal shifts?
What does the postmodern perspective emphasize regarding societal shifts?
Which concept suggests that people’s experiences of social structures depend on their viewpoints?
Which concept suggests that people’s experiences of social structures depend on their viewpoints?
What is identified as a primary medium for the communication of ideas and images in contemporary society?
What is identified as a primary medium for the communication of ideas and images in contemporary society?
What is a key element of feminist theory and practice?
What is a key element of feminist theory and practice?
Which theoretical perspective explains how social order was maintained after the French Revolution?
Which theoretical perspective explains how social order was maintained after the French Revolution?
Which societal shift does the text explicitly link to the emergence of the postmodern perspective?
Which societal shift does the text explicitly link to the emergence of the postmodern perspective?
Which sociologist is considered a foundational figure in contemporary feminist theory?
Which sociologist is considered a foundational figure in contemporary feminist theory?
What was a key factor that influenced Dorothy Smith's perspectives?
What was a key factor that influenced Dorothy Smith's perspectives?
What was a key feature of colonialism according to the text?
What was a key feature of colonialism according to the text?
What is the concept that explains the legal and/or social power vested in males?
What is the concept that explains the legal and/or social power vested in males?
Which economic system was established alongside industrialization?
Which economic system was established alongside industrialization?
The text refers to the term 'Androcentric', how is this defined?
The text refers to the term 'Androcentric', how is this defined?
What significant shift in governance occurred with the French Revolution?
What significant shift in governance occurred with the French Revolution?
What does Dorothy Smith argue about the standpoints of women in society?
What does Dorothy Smith argue about the standpoints of women in society?
What intellectual movement is associated with the French Revolution?
What intellectual movement is associated with the French Revolution?
What did the Enlightenment emphasize?
What did the Enlightenment emphasize?
What is true about the perspectives of men and women?
What is true about the perspectives of men and women?
What is an alternative theoretical perspective mentioned in the text?
What is an alternative theoretical perspective mentioned in the text?
How did some perceive the large-scale societal transformations during this period?
How did some perceive the large-scale societal transformations during this period?
The text suggests that feminism is embodied by which aspects, not only theories?
The text suggests that feminism is embodied by which aspects, not only theories?
What distinguishes sociology from other social sciences, according to the text?
What distinguishes sociology from other social sciences, according to the text?
Who is credited with creating the foundation for the sociological perspective?
Who is credited with creating the foundation for the sociological perspective?
What was Justin Trudeau's primary reason for asking about the root causes of terrorism?
What was Justin Trudeau's primary reason for asking about the root causes of terrorism?
What does Stephen Harper's critique of Trudeau suggest about his view on addressing terrorism?
What does Stephen Harper's critique of Trudeau suggest about his view on addressing terrorism?
According to Fletcher (1971), what is the importance of sociology?
According to Fletcher (1971), what is the importance of sociology?
What is ultimately the goal of 'committing sociology,' according to the provided content?
What is ultimately the goal of 'committing sociology,' according to the provided content?
In the context of the discussion, what does 'committing sociology' primarily mean?
In the context of the discussion, what does 'committing sociology' primarily mean?
What is the underlying reason to understanding social facts according to the content?
What is the underlying reason to understanding social facts according to the content?
The text mentions that the sociological idea of families can be traced back to...
The text mentions that the sociological idea of families can be traced back to...
What does the discussion about Indigenous women and violence highlight about different approaches?
What does the discussion about Indigenous women and violence highlight about different approaches?
Flashcards
Anomie
Anomie
The idea that a society's values and norms are no longer clear or effective, leading to a sense of confusion and disorientation.
Émile Durkheim
Émile Durkheim
A sociologist who argued that anomie contributes to higher rates of suicide, particularly in societies that are undergoing rapid industrialization.
Social facts
Social facts
Aspects of society that exist independently of individuals and exert control over their actions.
Material social facts
Material social facts
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Manifest functions
Manifest functions
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Latent dysfunctions
Latent dysfunctions
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Colonialism
Colonialism
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Colonization
Colonization
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Social Physics
Social Physics
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Sociological Approach
Sociological Approach
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Micro Level Analysis
Micro Level Analysis
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Macro Level Analysis
Macro Level Analysis
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Social Disruption
Social Disruption
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Society as a Web of Interconnectedness
Society as a Web of Interconnectedness
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Sociology
Sociology
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Commit Sociology
Commit Sociology
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Historical Period of Rapid Social Change
Historical Period of Rapid Social Change
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Families
Families
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Terrorism
Terrorism
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Understanding Causes of Terrorism
Understanding Causes of Terrorism
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Overrepresentation of Indigenous Women as Victims of Violence
Overrepresentation of Indigenous Women as Victims of Violence
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Apprehending and Punishing Individual Criminals
Apprehending and Punishing Individual Criminals
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What is colonialism?
What is colonialism?
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How did Colonialism change the land?
How did Colonialism change the land?
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What changes did industrialization bring about?
What changes did industrialization bring about?
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What was the French Revolution?
What was the French Revolution?
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What was the Enlightenment?
What was the Enlightenment?
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What is Sociology?
What is Sociology?
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How did Sociology become a separate discipline?
How did Sociology become a separate discipline?
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How is Sociology different from other social sciences?
How is Sociology different from other social sciences?
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Dorothy Smith
Dorothy Smith
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Patriarchy
Patriarchy
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Androcentric
Androcentric
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Women's Standpoint
Women's Standpoint
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Feminist Theory
Feminist Theory
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Social Positions and Viewpoints
Social Positions and Viewpoints
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Standpoint Theory
Standpoint Theory
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Feminism
Feminism
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Functionalist Perspective
Functionalist Perspective
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Postmodern Perspective
Postmodern Perspective
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Feminist Practice
Feminist Practice
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Micro Level Feminist Practice
Micro Level Feminist Practice
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Community Level Feminist Practice
Community Level Feminist Practice
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Understanding Social Structures through Lived Experiences
Understanding Social Structures through Lived Experiences
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Integrating Feminist Practice across Disciplines
Integrating Feminist Practice across Disciplines
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Study Notes
Chapter 1: Seeing and Acting Through the Lens of Sociology
- Sociology's first wisdom: Things are not always as they seem. (Berger, 1963, p. 23)
- Learning Objectives: Students will be able to:
- Describe the relationship between individual choices and social forces.
- Define sociology and the role of the sociological imagination.
- Describe the emergence of sociology and compare it to other disciplines.
- List and describe tools for developing sociological imagination.
- Contrast positivist, interpretive, and critical approaches to theorizing.
- Outline core assumptions of functionalist, conflict, symbolic interactionist, feminist, and postmodern perspectives.
- Define and explain the importance of critical thinking.
- Describe four ways sociology is practiced.
LO1: Things Are Not What They Seem
- "I'll believe it when I see it!" - Initial trust in what's visible, questioned by sociology.
- Online shopping example: Screens are pixels, part of larger global computer networks, influenced by many factors.
- Clothing example: Personal choices influenced by social factors, like fashion trends, and class choices.
- The number of university students in 2016-2017 academic year in Canada was over 2 million, highlighting influence of broader social forces.
- Connecting individual choices with larger social forces (sociology).
- Considering factors like family, friend, social, and economic.
LO2: What is Sociology?
- Sociology: The systematic study of society.
- Connections: Society is a system of interconnected relations between people.
- Examples of connections: Individual and group actions; collective representations; larger structures.
- Micro-macro connection: Sociology connects individual relationships with broader social forces (i.e., macro level).
LO3: Comparing Sociology and Other Disciplines
- Sociology emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries, a time of various changes:
- European colonialism
- Industrialization
- Capitalism
- Political revolutions
- The Enlightenment/Age of Reason.
- Interdisciplinary connection: Sociology shares areas of study with other disciplines.
- Example: Families studied in psychology, anthropology, and sociology.
- Differentiating sociology: Focuses on the interconnectedness and interaction of all aspects.
LO4: Building Your Sociological Imagination
- Tools for sociological imagination:
- Empirical research methods
- Sociological theories
- Critical thinking.
LO5: Sociological Theorizing
- Theory: A set of propositions used to explain a fact or phenomenon.
- Theorizing approaches: Positivist, Interpretive, Critical.
- Positivist: Focus on objective explanation; predict.
- Interpretive: Understanding people's experiences.
- Critical: Role of power in shaping processes, emphasis on emancipation.
LO6: Core Sociological Theoretical Perspectives
- Functionalism (structural functionalism): Macro-level focus on societal stability.
- Manifest and latent functions: Intended vs. unintended positive outcomes of a social structure.
- Conflict perspective: Macro-level focus on inequality and conflict over resources. Examples:
- Bourgeoisie and Proletariat
- Surplus value
- Alienation
- Symbolic Interactionist Perspective: Micro-level, focus on individual communication and how meaning develops in interactions. Examples:
- Using symbols such as language, facial expressions, and clothing to create meaning.
- Roles and interactions.
- Feminist Perspectives: Focuses on gender.
- Gender inequalities in the sociological field and beyond.
- Androcentric bias: Historically overlooking women's experiences.
- Postmodern Perspective: Focuses on social change from the late 20th century.
- Skeptical (chaos and meaninglessness)
- Affirmative (Deconstruction of knowledge).
LO7: Critical Thinking
- Critical thinking: Carefully evaluating information and ideas, applying them to various contexts.
- Importance: Essential in sociology for analyzing social issues and supporting social change.
- Lower-order thinking: Memory, recall.
- Higher-order thinking: Analyzing, evaluating, and making connections.
LO8: Using Your Sociological Toolkit
- Practicing sociology: Using
- Empirical methods
- Sociological theories
- Critical thinking
- Multiple settings (academic, policy, public, private).
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