Introduction to Sociology Lecture Notes PDF

Introduction to sociology Learning Goals: Describe what sociologists study Describe the major schools of thought in sociology (Functionalism, Neo-Marxism, Symbolic Interactionism, Feminist Theory, intersectionality, and Inclusionism) Discuss the values and repercussions of norms Co-cr...

Introduction to sociology Learning Goals: Describe what sociologists study Describe the major schools of thought in sociology (Functionalism, Neo-Marxism, Symbolic Interactionism, Feminist Theory, intersectionality, and Inclusionism) Discuss the values and repercussions of norms Co-create classroom norms Minds on: With an elbow partner, in what ways has society changed since COVID? Has our idea of ‘normal’ changed? What is sociology? What does it mean to study the general through the particular? The Roles I play Draw an outline line the image next to this text. In the image, write out graffiti-style all the roles you play in your life. Examples: - daughter/son/child - Employee - Student - Athlete - Performer - Sibling - Friend - Support - Mentor - Tough love - Etc. How does this activity relate to sociology? Norms Social Norms Social norms are shared standards of acceptable behavior by groups. Social norms can both be informal understandings that govern the behavior of members of a society, as well as be codified into rules and laws. What are some social norms codified as rules at your school? What are some informal social norms at your school? What consequences would you face when breaking an informal norm vs a formal norm? Now, get into groups of 4 1. Using your graffiti, think about your identity. In your groups, jot down how all 4 of you are different. Examples: age, ethnicity, likes and dislikes, etc. 2. How are we similar? 3. If we are all so different, how are we able to live together? 4. Take your answers from #3 and sort them into these categories: roles, values, norms, sanctions 5. Now, focus on our classroom. As sociologists, what norms allow our classroom to function in terms of relationships, rules, and responsibilities? Think of the four terms listed above to inspire you! Note that this is an activity to co-create the rules, expectations, and norms in our classroom. The 5 schools of thought We need to know how a Functionalism society works in order to meet its needs. Neo-Marxism Economic and political power are keys to understanding society. Feminist Theory Institutions and systems are sexist and therefor dysfunctional. Equity does Inclusionism not properly Diversity exist. must be recognized and understood. Emphasis on minority perspectives. Symbolic Society is a collection of Interactionism individuals and to understand it we must Functionalism Watch the video and create a drawing that explains the theory. Annotate it to explain the theory. Conflict Theory Watch the video and summarize the theory. Then, can you think of a current or historic world event that could be explained by conflict theory? Symbolic interactionism Watch the video. Create and annotate a drawing to explain this theory. Feminist theory Ra m s t i Focusing on sex and gender issues a sts Fe l di inis i ni ca ts What does it mean to be a woman c o (as i compared with a man)? l S Who has power in society and who m Feis marginalized? How do institutions sustain the status quo? Disagree on relevance and nature of issues as well as how to solve them M m ar in Fe x i ist an s Inclusionism Are sociological models truly inclusive of all people, regardless of where they’re from or their level of ability? Do we attempt to apply a North American understanding on to a group of people where that perspective simply does not fit? How does someone’s identity affect how they are included in or experience society? What are ways people can be excluded from society? ○ ethnicity/race ○ Sex ○ Sexual orientation ○ Religion ○ Status ($$) ○ Ability Intersectionality Intersectionality aims to explore the intersection of a range of identity factors to explore the compounding effects of identity-based discrimination. Intersectionality The concept of intersectionality describes the ways in which systems of inequality based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, class and other forms of discrimination “intersect” to create unique dynamics and effects. For example, when a Muslim woman wearing the Hijab is being discriminated, it would be impossible to dissociate her female* from her Muslim identity and to isolate the dimension(s) causing her discrimination. Example Missing and Indigenous Women In Canada, indigenous people have been raising the alarm about the apparent lack of police or government interest in the high rates of missing and indigenous women Here, being indigenous (ethnicity) and a woman (gender) intersect as historical markers of discrimination and, once again, people from these two identity categories find themselves statistically disadvantaged. Example Missing White Woman Syndrome This is a coin termed to describe the media’s hyperfocus on white women who go missing. Within this term is an implicit accusation that media doesn’t pay the same amount of attention when people with other identity markers go missing. Example Disabled and LGBTQ+ Visibly disabled people often find it difficult for society to see them as anything other than their disability. This can render other aspects of their identity invisible.  Example Girls with ADD or ADHD Historically, boys have been over-diagnosed with ADHD and girls have been under-diagnosed. This has been a result of over-emphasis from psychologists and scientists on how boys present with ADHD, to the detriment to girls. A greater proportion of girls than boys with ADHD and ADD exhibit behaviors like chattiness, daydreaming, and shyness. These behaviors are overlooked compared to the supposedly typical ADHD behaviors that boys tend to exhibit more commonly, like disruptiveness and interrupting others in class. Intersectionality Emphasize that people's lives are multifaceted; individuals' realities are shaped by various factors as well as social dynamics that operate together; Encourage an understanding of how social location (gender, class, race or ethnicity, indigeneity, disability or ability, etc.) interacts within a broader context of power structures (government policies, media, laws, institutions, etc.); this takes into account the identities and