Sociology Course Outline PDF

Faculty of Women for Arts, Science & Education Sociology Department 1  ‫مقرر‬ ‫نصوص اجتماعية بلغة أجنبية (‪)1‬‬ ‫علم اجتماع‬ ‫القسم‬ ‫اجتماع (انتظام‪ -‬انتساب)‬ ‫الشعبة‬ ‫األ...

Faculty of Women for Arts, Science & Education Sociology Department 1  ‫مقرر‬ ‫نصوص اجتماعية بلغة أجنبية (‪)1‬‬ ‫علم اجتماع‬ ‫القسم‬ ‫اجتماع (انتظام‪ -‬انتساب)‬ ‫الشعبة‬ ‫األولى‬ ‫الفرقة‬ ‫األ ول‬ ‫الفصل الدراسي‬ ‫نصوص اجتماعية بلغة أجنبية (‪)1‬‬ ‫اسم المقرر‬ ‫‪ 140‬درجة تحريري‬ ‫درجة المقرر‬ ‫‪ 60‬درجة أعمال فصلية‬ ‫ساعتان (نظري)‬ ‫عدد ساعات تدريس المقرر‬ ‫أ‪.‬د‪ /‬سامية قدري‬ ‫أستاذ المقرر‬ ‫د‪ /‬أمل أبو الخير‬ ‫ُمشارك‬ ‫‪2‬‬  Content Unit 1 4 Introduction to Sociology Unit 2 16 Core Concepts in Sociology Unit 3 23 Sociology and Other Sciences Politics and society Unit 4 29 Sociology and Other Sciences Sociology and Economics Unit 5 36 Culture Unit 6 44 Family structure Unit 7 53 Social problems 3 Unit 1 4 5 6 Sociology Sociology is the scientific study of human society and social behaviour. 7 8 Why Study Sociology? Sociology can give you a new perspective on yourself and the world around you. It’s called the sociological perspective. By adopting the sociological perspective you can look beyond commonly held beliefs to determine hidden meanings behind human actions. The sociological perspective helps us understand that people’s behavior is influenced by social factors and learned behaviors from those around us. The sociological perspective can help us view the world through the eyes of others. By developing this perspective we can begin to use the sociological imagination; the ability to see a connection between the larger world and one’s personal life. Sociology as a Social Science The social sciences apply scientific methods to the study of human behavior: Sociology Cultural Anthropology Psychology Economics History 9  Political Science Social Work Sociology and Related Social Science Cultural anthropology - goal is to learn as much as possible about a society and its people. Psychology - the study of individual behavior and mental processes. Economics - the study of the creation, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. History - looks at the past to learn what happened, when it happened and why it happened. Political science - the study of political theory, the operation of government, and political behavior. Social work – goal is to help people solve their problems. Who were the early Sociologists? Philosophers: Confucius, Plato, Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius, Galileo, Newton, Shakespeare, Hobbes, Karl Marx. Founding Fathers of Sociology 10 Early Scholars 11 12 13 14 15  Unit 2 Core Concepts in Sociology (1) Social Action According to Duncan Mitchel “Action is social when the actor behaves in such a manner that his action is intended to influence the action of one or more other persons.” When one or more persons perform an action in presence of this situation it is called social action. 1. can be done by one or more persons 2. influences others 3. is performed in face of some social situation 4. has its relationship with some social system the way that the actors are interdependent upon one another Elements of Social Actions The actor. It is that individual who performs an act. The actor can be one or more persons. The goal. It is the aim or objective for which the action was done. Social situation. The actor performs his role in presence of some situation. Normative orientation. It is performed on some social pattern, custom. All these forms are called norms of society. Energy. These require energy for its performance. Physical energy and training are essential for an act. Types of Social Action 1. Instrumental Action: In this type of action, the evaluative component is the most dominating. Both means and ends are logically decided. 16  2. Expressive Action: In this type of action, the appreciative component is dominant. 3. Moral Action: The actor’s own motivation is subordinate to the values of society. Types of Social Action (2) SOCIAL SYSTEM - Actions do not occur in isolation. - It occurs in the forms of institutionalized social interactions and this is called the social system. - Social interaction is a prerequisite for social system to emerge. - Social system consists of plurality of individual actors interacting with each other, in a situation which has an environment with actors who are motivated in terms of a tendency to the optimization of gratification. (3) SOCIAL Interaction Refers to the way people respond to one another. 17 Common Types of Social Interaction When playing a role, must interact with others Interactions either change or stabilize society 1. exchange – interacting in an effort to receive a reward or a return for one’s actions  reciprocity – you do something for someone else, they owe you something in return  exchange theory – people are motivated by self-interest in their interactions. 2.Competition – two or more people or groups in opposition to achieve a goal that only one can attain 3. Conflict – the deliberate attempt to control a person by force, to oppose someone else, or to harm another person 4. Cooperation – two or more people or groups working together to achieve a goal that will benefit more than one of them 5. Accommodation – a state of balance between cooperation and conflict, a compromise, truce. (4) Social Structure  The way in which a society is organized into predictable relationships.  Studying the link between interaction and structure is central to sociology.  Social Structure – underlying patterns of relationships in a group, it is not static.  Social structures are affected by economy, racial and ethnic relationships, social needs, and priorities. 18  Elements of Social Structure  Social Structure -the network of interrelated statuses and roles that guide human interaction, give society its enduring characteristics and make patterns of human interaction predictable.  Status – a socially defined position in a group or in a society and has attached to it one or more roles.  Role – the behavior expected of someone occupying a particular status. (6) Social Institutions  Social institutions are organized patterns of beliefs and behavior centered on basic social needs.  Social institutions provide insight into the structure of society.  Social institutions- family, government, education, military, politics, law, science, medicine, mass media. 19  (6) Society Society: people who interact in a defined territory and share culture and expectations. Who possess some degree of common identity?  Largest groups we study are societies. Types of Societies  Sociologists classify societies according to subsistence strategies.  Subsistence strategies – way a society uses technology to provide for the needs of members. Types of Societies Preindustrial – food production is the main economic activity and can be subdivided according to the level of technology and the method of producing food – Groups of preindustrial societies 20   Hunting and gathering  Pastoral  Horticultural  Agricultural Industrial – emphasis shifts from the production of food to the production of manufactured goods made possible by changes in production methods Leads to urbanization Postindustrial – much of the economy is involved in providing information and services. (7) Groups A group is any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact with each other on a regular basis... A group has 4 major features: Two or more people, interaction among members, shared expectations, common identity. These distinguish a group from an aggregate or social category. Aggregate – people gathered in the same place at the same time, but lack organization or patterns Social category – classifying people according to a shared trait or common status. Types of Groups  Interact over a long period of time on a direct and personal basis.  Entire self of the individual is taken into account.  Relationships are intimate and face-to-face. 21   Interaction is impersonal and temporary in nature.  Involve a reaction to only a part of the individual’s self.  Casual and limited in personal involvement.  Group with whom individuals identify and whose attitudes and values they adopt. 22  Unit 3 Sociology and Other Sciences Politics and society RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIOLOGY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE: 1- Political science and sociology are closely related. Political science is that branch of social science which mostly deals with state, government and power. According to Morris Ginsberg, “Historically sociology has its main rules in politics and philosophy of history. “ 2- Political science deals with the political activities of man.It deals with the principles of organization and government of human society. It studies social groups organized under the sovereignty of the state. POLITICAL INSTITUTION Politics is the social institution through which power is acquired and exercised by some people and groups. An institutionalized system through which a society is governed… Political institutions are organizations which create, enforce, and apply laws. They often mediate conflict; make (governmental) policy on the economy and social systems… 23  BASIC CONCEPTS The state is the sovereign political organization of the individuals occupying a definite territory. It is a political unit that has sovereignty over an area and the people within it. - Government is the formal organization That has the legal and political authority to regulate relationships among members of a society and between the society and those outside its borders. Government is a narrow concept and it is an element of the State. The State is more or less permanent, but the government is temporary. FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL INSTITUTION/ STATE  Maintain law and order Plan and direct society Handle international relations Provision of welfare services Defense against foreign danger Evaluation of other institutions Socialization. 24 25 26 27 28 29  Unit 4 Sociology and Other Sciences Sociology and Economics 30 31 32 Types of Economic Systems 1. Capitalism 2. Socialism 3. Welfare State Capitalism 33  Socialism - Socialism: an economic system characterized by… - Raw materials and the means of production are collectively owned. - Government or an organization should play the central role in regulating economic activity on behalf of the people as a whole. - Water, oil, banks, medical care, transportation, and the media should be state owned. - Pursuit of personal property is forbidden. Welfare State - Hybrid of capitalism and socialism. - Government (through taxes) assumes a key role in providing social and economic benefits to some or all of its citizens. - Unemployment benefits, supplemental income, childcare, social security, basic medical care, transportation, education (including college), and/or housing. What do you think...? 34 Three Sectors of the Economy 35  Unit 5 1. Culture is a dynamic, constantly changing process that is shaped by the attitudes, objectives, technical skills, and knowledge and world view of the society and the consensus perception of political, social and economic conditions. 2. People share a myriad of different group identities based on a complex interaction of factors including racial identity, ethnicity, language, gender, socio-economic status (class), age, physical ability, religion, political ideology, interests and experiences. 3. The word culture, from the Latin colo, -ere, with its root meaning "to cultivate“. 4. Culture refers to the universal human capacity to classify, and communicate their experiences symbolically. 5. Culture is the: - values, - beliefs, - behavior, and - material objects - That together form a people’s way of life. 36 37  Define Culture? Culture refers to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe, and material objects and possessions acquired by a group of people in the course of generations through individual and group striving. Characteristics of Culture Sociologists see culture as consisting of two different categories: Material culture (any physical object to which we give social meaning). Symbolic culture (the ideas associated with a cultural group). 38 Culture Traits – characteristics of a society that can be material or non-material “material” “non-material” Culture Traits Culture Traits Clothes Customs Buildings Ceremonies Artwork Spoken Language Machines Religions Statues Things that are tangible Forms of greeting How can Non-material culture traits be expressed through material culture traits? Culture Exists on 3 Levels 39 Components of Culture Symbols: Anything that carries a particular meaning recognized by people who share a culture Language: A system of symbols that allows people to communicate with one another. Other species may have culture, but language skills are limited. Cultural transmission: process of passing on culture to the next generation. Sapir-Whorf hypothesis: people perceive the world through the cultural lens of language. Values: Culturally defined standards by which people assess desirability, goodness, and beauty and that serve as broad guidelines for social living. Beliefs: Statements that people hold to be true. Norms: Rules and expectations by which society guides the behavior of its members Mores: Norms that are widely observed and have great moral significance, e.g., no sexual relations with children. Folkways: Norms for routine or casual interaction, e.g., proper dress. Social control: means by which members of a society encourage conformity to norms. 40  Elements of Culture  Language  Shelter  Clothing  Economy  Religion  Education  Values  Climate  Government/Laws  Recreation/Entertainment Cultural Diversity High Culture: Cultural Patterns that distinguish a society’s elite Popular Culture: Cultural patterns widespread among society’s population Subculture: Cultural patterns that set apart some segment of society. Multiculturalism: Social policy designed to encourage ethnic or cultural heterogeneity. Eurocentrism: dominance of European cultural patterns. Counterculture: Cultural patterns that strongly oppose those widely accepted. Cultural Change: Occurs by invention, discovery, and diffusion. 41  Social Structure and Culture Society vs. Culture Culture refers to that people’s traditions, customs, and behaviors. It includes ideas, values, and artifacts. Sharing a similar culture helps to define the society to which we belong.  Language, spoken “Private” does not exist as a word in many languages Eskimos: 24 words for snow Words which describe moral concepts unique to countries or areas: “face” in Asian cultures, “flowtime” in Greece. 42  Spoken language precision important in low-context cultures.  Language, unspoken Context... more important than spoken word in low context cultures.  Education - Medium through which people are acculturated. - Language, “myths,” values, norms taught. - Teaches personal achievement and competition. - Critical to national competitive advantage.  Education system may be a cultural outcome. 43  Unit 6 Family structure Our Task in Studying the Family 44  Basic Ideas about the Family What Is a Family? Families are more fluid than they were in the past. Many changes in the family reflect adaptations to larger societal transformations. The meaning of family changes over time and contexts and cultures. There is no standard universal definition of a family; it exists in many forms and arrangements are often complex. 45  DEFINITION OF FAMILY Book’s definition: - Two or more adults related by blood, marriage, or affiliation who cooperate economically, share a common dwelling place and may rear children. - A family is an intimate group of two or more people who: Live together in a committed relationship. Care for one another and any children. Share activities and close emotional ties. Anthony Giddens defines the family as: ‘A group of persons directly linked by kin connections, the adult members of which assume responsibility for caring for children’. Kinship refers to relationships based on biological or marital ties. Household refers to the place of domesticity. What Is Marriage? Marriage is a socially approved mating relationship that people expect to be stable and enduring. Some form of marriage is practiced in every society, although there are many forms. 46 The difference between a family and a household. The Office for National Statistics gives the following definitions: Family A family is a married, civil-partnered or cohabiting couple with or without children, or a lone parent, with at least one child, who live at the same address. Children may be dependent (16 or under) or non-dependent. Household A household is one person living alone, or a group of people (not necessarily related) living at the same address who share cooking facilities and share a living room, sitting room or dining area. A household can consist of more than one family, or no families in the case of a group of unrelated people. A mother, father & one or more children (biological or adopted) Advantages - Two people share parenting responsibilities. - Financial responsibilities shared. - Examples of male & female role models. Disadvantages - Only one parent home a large part of time. 47  Single Parent Family Only one parent & one or more children. The number of single-parent homes has more than doubled in the past 20 years. Divorced women’s standard of living drops 73%, while divorced men jumps 42%. About 50% of the children in divorced families report having not seen their father in the last year and only 1 of 6 see him once a week. Blended Family 2 parents, ore or both of whom have children from a previous relationship. Step-parents & siblings, half-siblings. Advantages - Adults share responsibilities Disadvantages - Need more patience - Adjustment to new roles All the immediate relatives of a family- grandparents, aunts, cousins, etc. Advantages - More to help with responsibilities - More support - More money 48 Disadvantages - Less room - Less privacy - Difficulty getting along Cooperative Family Non-related people who get together to rear their children in one household Advantages - Support - Share Responsibilities Disadvantages - Adjustment. Alternatives to the Traditional Family – Polygamy 49  Where Do Families Live? In a patrilocal residential pattern, the newly married couple lives with the husband’s family. In a matrilocal residential pattern, the couple lives with the wife’s family. In a nonlocal residential pattern, the couple sets up its own household. Often residential patterns reflect who has authority in the family. Functions of Families Five Functions of the Family 1. Regulation of sexual activity 2. Procreation and socialization 3. Economic security 4. Emotional support 5. Social class placement 50 1. Regulation of Sexual Activity - The family provides norms for sexual activity. - Families also prevent doubts about the legitimacy of children and property rights in some cultures. 2. Procreation and Socialization - Procreation is an essential function of the family because it ensures that society will continue. - Through socialization, children learn the rules and customs of their culture and the first place they are socialized is in the family. 3. Economic Security - The family is an important economic unit that provides financial security and stability. - Families provide for their own physical survival. 4. Emotional Support Emotional support is probably one of the most important aspects of family Our families are our emotional steadfast and enduring anchor throughout our lives. 5. Social Class Placement A social class is a category of people who have a similar standing or rank in society. We are all born into a specific social class based on things like our parents’ income, education, job, attitudes, and values. 51 Families Are Transforming In the end, - People create families that met their needs for love and security. - Whether we want to believe it or not, families are transforming, not destroying themselves. - Divorce and economic decline have hurt the institution of family. - The family is stronger than ever: Because people are living longer, more generations are getting to know one another and becoming stronger family units. - The family is changing due to demographic. - Families are largely influenced by the society they live in and the societal changes going on around them. 52  Unit 7 Social problems What is social problems?  The term “social problem” is usually taken to refer to social conditions that disrupt or damage society—crime, racism, and the like.  Social problem is that when a condition is created which affects a large number of people.  These social problems usually undesirable and the capability of the people for their solution.  Social Problems exists when there is a sizable difference between the ideals of a society and its actual achievements.  The term “social problem” is usually taken to refer to social conditions that disrupt or damage society—crime, racism, and the like.  Social problem is that when a condition is created which affects a large number of people.  These social problems usually undesirable and the capability of the people for their solution.  Social Problems exists when there is a sizable difference between the ideals of a society and its actual achievements. 53   The term “social problem” is usually taken to refer to social conditions that disrupt or damage society—crime, racism, and the like.  Social problem is that when a condition is created which affects a large number of people.  These social problems usually undesirable and the capability of the people for their solution.  Social Problems exists when there is a sizable difference between the ideals of a society and its actual achievements. - Social Problems are the Diseases of the society. These diseases include: Crime - Juvenile Delinquency - Illiteracy - Poverty - Unemployment - Beggary - Child labor - Labor problems - Drug Addiction - Gambling - Prostitution Due to these diseases, the society can not properly perform its positive role. Characteristics of Social Problems On the basis of the above definitions, we can identify the following characteristics of social problems: - All social problems are situations which have injurious consequences for society. - All social problems are deviations from the “ideal” situation. 54  - All social problems have some common basis of origin. - All social problems are social and political in origin. - All social problems are caused by pathological social conditions. - All social problems are interconnected. - All social problems are social in their results – they affect all sections of society. - The responsibility for social problems is social – they require a collective approach for their solution. - Social problems occur in all societies. Objective Elements of Social Problems:  Awareness of social conditions through life experiences and through reports in the media.  We see the homeless, hear gunfire in the streets, and see battered women in hospital emergency rooms.  We read about employees losing their jobs as businesses downsize and factories close. Subjective Elements of Social Problems:  The belief that a particular social condition is harmful to society or to a segment of society and that it should and can be changed.  We know crime, drug addiction, poverty, racism, violence, and pollution exist. 55   These are not considered social problems unless a segment of society believes these conditions diminish the quality of human life. Reactions to Social Problems Different people react differently to social problems. The differences may be explained in terms of the following four factors: - An attitude of unconcern: Many people and the State at times remain indifferent to a problem thinking that it does not affect them. - Fatalism: Some people are so fatalistic that they attribute everything to destiny. Issues like poverty and unemployment are also explained in term terms of misfortune and past karma. - Vested interests: Some people take no interest in the existing problems because they stand to gain so long as the problem exists. - Absence of expert knowledge: Some people, though deeply concerned about the problem, do not take much interest in it believing that its solution is impossible unless people change their attitudes and values. 56 Sociological Theories and Social Problems: Uncover and make sense of facts Theory: Explains how two or more concepts (or facts) are related, such as age and suicide. Sociological Theory: Provides a framework for thinking about a social issue from a perspective that we might otherwise neglect. 57  Violence as a Social Problem what is violence? Violence: the use of force to injure people or to destroy their property Types of Violence  Situational group violence: unplanned and spontaneous  Organized group violence: planned but unauthorized  Institutionalized group violence: violence carried out by agents of the government.  Anti-institutional violence: violence directed against the government in violation of the law. What Makes Violence a Social Problem?  Violence is a social problem that increases over the years.  The amount of violence (an objective condition) does not make violence a social problem.  Subjective concerns about violence make it a social problem.  When deciding whether a particular violent behavior is a problem, people ask the following questions:  What do the actors intend by their action?  Does violence conform to, or violate, social norms and values?  Does the violence support or threaten the social order?  Is the violent committed by or against the government? 58  Crime as a Social Problem what is Crime? Four definitional perspectives  Legalistic: Human conduct in violation of the criminal laws of a state, the federal government, or a local jurisdiction that has the power to make such laws.  Political: Crimes are behaviors those in power perceive as threats to their interests.  Sociological: An antisocial act of such a nature that its repression is necessary or is supposed to be necessary to the preservation of the existing system of society.  Psychological: Any behavior which is maladaptive would be considered crime. Includes any harmful or potentially harmful behaviors. Crime as a Social Problem  Crime a manifestation of underlying social problems  Crime is a social event, not an isolated individual activity  Crime is socially relative.  Crime should be viewed not as a single phenomenon, but as one in which many kinds of behavior occur in different situations and under different conditions.  No single theory can provide all the explanations or answers for crime.  Criminological theory attempts to explain the causes of criminal behavior, not to excuse crime or criminals. 59  Crime as a Natural Phenomenon  Crime is something that can and must be eliminated.  Durkheim: Deviance is a prerequisite for social change.  Cohen: The deviant makes positive social contributions. Terrorism Types of Terrorism  Premeditated use, or threatened use, of violence to gain a political or social objective.  Transnational terrorism occurs when a terrorist act in one country involves victims, targets, institutions, governments, or citizens of another country.  Domestic terrorism is exemplified by the 1995 truck bombing of a nine-story federal office building in Oklahoma City, resulting in 168 deaths and the injury of more than 200 people. 60