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Questions and Answers
What is the term for the class of owners of the means of production in an industrial system?
What is the term for the class of owners of the means of production in an industrial system?
Which period is characterized by a belief in reason and the scientific study of society?
Which period is characterized by a belief in reason and the scientific study of society?
The Feudal System allowed serfs to own land outright.
The Feudal System allowed serfs to own land outright.
False
What major revolutions contributed to the emergence of sociology as a discipline?
What major revolutions contributed to the emergence of sociology as a discipline?
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Which of the following changes occurred as a result of the transition from feudal to industrial society?
Which of the following changes occurred as a result of the transition from feudal to industrial society?
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What does sociology study?
What does sociology study?
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Culture is a society's way of _____
Culture is a society's way of _____
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Who introduced the concept of social statics and social dynamics?
Who introduced the concept of social statics and social dynamics?
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Match the following sociological figures with their contributions:
Match the following sociological figures with their contributions:
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Study Notes
The Enlightenment Period
- The period of European history marked by radical change from traditional feudal thinking.
- French philosophers of the 18th century ushered in a new way of thinking and examining reality.
- Individuals began questioning all aspects of life, with nothing considered sacred.
- This era placed emphasis on reason and empirical research to comprehend and control the universe.
- It promoted the belief in universal social laws to improve society.
Social and Economic Developments
- New inventions and discoveries emerged.
- Political, economic, and social revolutions swept Europe:
- The French Revolution saw political turmoil and change.
- The Industrial Revolution brought economic transformation.
- Social changes resulted directly from these revolutions.
- The expansion of trade and commerce from the 15th century onward marked a period of commercial revolution.
- European countries like Portugal, Spain, Holland, and England sought to strengthen their economic and political power.
Transition from Feudal Society
- Transition from feudal to industrial society.
- Rise of liberal democracy.
- Emergence of the middle class.
Challenges of the New Society
- Industrialization led to poor working conditions for laborers.
- Nuclear family structures resulted in domestic violence, frequent separations, and poverty.
- Poverty was socially created, as evidenced by surveys in early 19th century Europe.
Emergence of Sociology
- The prevailing knowledge couldn't effectively explain or address these social changes.
- The need arose for a new discipline to study, solve, and predict these changes.
- Emergence of Sociology - a study of society, social life, group interaction, and social behaviour.
Society and Culture
- Society is a relatively self-sufficient, usually large group of people with direct or indirect contact through a shared culture.
- Culture encompasses shared language, beliefs, goals, artifacts, and experiences, creating a distinct pattern.
- Culture represents a society's way of life.
The Scope of Sociology
- Sociology emerged as a distinct discipline to address societal problems and changes.
- Its scope initially focused on understanding society in terms of macro units, using an inductive approach and focusing on empiricism.
- The scope has broadened over time.
- Key phases of sociological study:
Initial Phase (1838-1880s)
- Focused on understanding society through macro units (August Comte's social statics and social dynamics).
- Emphasized inductive approach and empiricism.
- August Comte's social positivism and Herbert Spencer's organismic analogy framed early analysis.
- Sociologists aimed to understand and find solutions to societal problems.
Second Phase (1880s-1940s)
- Expansion of the scope included micro realities (Max Weber).
- Birth of interpretive sociology.
- While Durkheim continued to study society through macro units, Weber introduced a new perspective.
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Description
Explore the transformative era known as the Enlightenment, where traditional feudal thinking was challenged by radical new ideas. Discover the impact of French philosophers in the 18th century and the social, political, and economic revolutions that shaped Europe, including the Industrial and French Revolutions.
