Super Concise Sociology Lecture Notes PDF

WEEK 2: Alan Sears: Theoretical Thinking and Sociological Models Theoretical Thinking Purpose: Asks basic questions about how things work in the world to reframe understanding. Formal Thinking Characteristics: ○ Conceptual Rigor: Clear use and application of theoretic...

WEEK 2: Alan Sears: Theoretical Thinking and Sociological Models Theoretical Thinking Purpose: Asks basic questions about how things work in the world to reframe understanding. Formal Thinking Characteristics: ○ Conceptual Rigor: Clear use and application of theoretical tools. ○ Logical Rigor: Ensures elements of analysis fit together coherently. ○ Empirical Rigor: Links theory to observable reality. ○ Second-Order Questions: Examines underlying assumptions. ○ Builds on Existing Knowledge: Draws from or critiques foundational theories. Neutrality and Change: ○ Theories are either neutral (objective analysis) or tools for social change (e.g., Marx’s argument for transformative action). ○ Neutrality often serves dominant power structures. Conflict vs. Social Order Models Social Order Model Focus: Cohesion, harmony, and solidarity. Mechanisms: ○ Social bonds, moral regulation ensure stability. ○ Society functions like a system where subsystems maintain order. Conflict Model Focus: Inequality, hierarchy, and power struggles. Key Examples: ○ Settler colonialism subjugates Indigenous people. ○ Capitalism exploits workers for profit. Critical Distinction: ○ Conflict and social order models differ in foundational assumptions. Understanding their logic clarifies theoretical debates. Neutral Theory vs. Theory for Social Change Max Weber’s Neutral Theory: ○ Politics seeks persuasion; science aims for objective analysis. Karl Marx’s Perspective: ○ Theory should critique and transform society. ○ Neutrality reinforces the status quo and obscures power dynamics.  Brian Fay: Neutrality impossible; theory inherently linked to social practice. Epistemology in Sociology (Liz Stanley) Epistemology Study of knowledge, its construction, and validity. Sociological epistemology grounded in real-world issues like family, employment, and marginalized perspectives. Frameworks 1. Foundationalism: Assumes objective truths. 2. Constructionism: Knowledge shaped by social, historical, and cultural contexts. Applications in Sociology Examines knowledge systems of marginalized groups (e.g., Black, feminist, Indigenous). Challenges traditional epistemological privilege that favors dominant groups. Indigenous Research and Standpoint Theory (Coburn et al.) Indigenous Epistemologies Place-Based Ontologies: Knowledge rooted in land, community, and spirituality. Critique of Colonial Research: ○ Views Indigenous people as objects, dismissing their authority. ○ Research has been a tool of colonial violence (e.g., residential schools). Theorists Moreton-Robinson: Indigenous knowledge treated as “unspeakable” due to colonial frameworks. Thibault Martin: Indigenous research challenges traditional social science foundations. George Sefa Dei: Advocates for research that centers Indigenous realities and resists colonial dominance. Feminist Standpoint Theory Research shaped by positionality, privileging the perspectives of marginalized groups. Nancy Hartsock: Minority groups provide privileged insights into power relations. Sociological Imagination (C. Wright Mills) Key Elements  1. Intersection of Biography, History, and Society: ○ Enables understanding of personal troubles as public issues. ○ Example: Unemployment tied to economic structures, not individual failings. 2. Personal Troubles vs. Public Issues: ○ Sociological imagination connects individual experiences with societal structures. Purpose Critiques normalization of inequalities and challenges dominant power. Encourages understanding historical context and social causes behind problems. WEEK 3: Modernity as Enlightenment What Sociological Thought Did Sociology Arise From? 1. Rise of Individualism Transition from inherited to chosen roles and relationships. Protestant Reformation: Shifted relationship between individuals and church; religious norms no longer mediated through institutions. 2. Rise of the Modern State Emergence of the state as an independent organizing institution. Political revolutions (e.g., American 1775, French 1789, Europe 1848) shaped modern governance. Public and private life distinction strengthened, leading to concepts like civil society. 3. Rationalization of Markets and Industry Rationalization: Social interactions governed by procedural efficiency. Industrial Revolution: Technological advances increased productivity (e.g., division of labor). Alienation became a key consequence of these changes. 4. European Expansion, Colonization, and War Rationalization promoted Eurocentric norms (white supremacy). Exposure to other societies highlighted cultural differences. Loss of certainty: Future seen as open, not predetermined. Enlightenment: Philosophical and Social Movement Main Ideas of Enlightenment  1. Rationality and reason lead to moral adequacy. 2. Rationality is inherent but obstructed by societal barriers. 3. Social institutions should serve people, not vice versa. 4. Purpose of life: Realizing human potential. 5. Social customs must be critically evaluated. 6. Progress is central to human civilization. Promise of Enlightenment Material progress, abolishment of prejudice, mastery of natural forces. Emancipation from: ○ Power: Equality over monarchy. ○ Ignorance: Science combats false beliefs. ○ Nature: Control over natural resources. Tools of Social Theory 1. Criticism: Combines explanation, evaluation, and reflection. 2. Argumentation: Tests premises for validity and soundness. Key Thinkers in Modernity and Sociology Auguste Comte Positivism: Sociology as the "science of society" to discover universal laws of behavior. Core Assumptions: ○ Truth exists and can be accessed scientifically. ○ Sociology identifies universal social laws. Harriet Martineau First Female Sociologist: Translated Comte’s works, applied methods to moral and manners analysis. Five Areas of Sociological Inquiry: Religion, liberty, domestic life, moral notions, progress. Martineau’s Methods 1. Observation and Sympathetic Understanding: Researchers must observe societal indicators like cemeteries, songs, and prisons. 2. Qualitative Research Tips: Broad interview pools, natural conversation flow, systematic note-keeping, and avoidance of overgeneralization. Anomalies in U.S. Society 1. Slavery: Contradicts moral ideals of freedom and equality.  2. Women’s Disenfranchisement: Property-owning women taxed but denied voting rights. 3. Fear of Public Opinion: Free speech hindered by societal pressures. 4. Property: Wealth inequality contradicts democratic ideals of happiness and freedom. Modernity’s Foundations and Impacts Paradigm Shift: Enlightenment ushered in empiricism, universalism, and science-based sociological thinking. Sociology’s Promise: Encourages scientific critique of social customs to identify and address societal contradictions. WEEK 4: Epistemic Strategies in Sociology Key Concepts Epistemology: Study of knowledge—how we know, who knows, and how society understands itself. ○ Holism (Functionalism): Entire social system as a unified whole; emphasizes macro-level institutions. Theorists: Émile Durkheim, Auguste Comte (Structural Functionalism). ○ Hierarchy (Conflict Theory): Power relations define the system; focus on social conflicts. Theorists: Karl Marx, Frankfurt School. ○ Heterarchy (Intersectionality): Contradictory systems operate simultaneously; examines intersecting identities and privilege/oppression. Theorists: W.E.B. Du Bois, Patricia Hill Collins. ○ Constructionism: Social realities constructed through language, discourse, and interactions. Theorists: Michel Foucault, Postmodernists, Symbolic Interactionists. ○ Methodological Individualism: Social phenomena explained through individual interactions and actions. Theorists: Max Weber. Key Theoretical Frameworks Holism (Functionalism) Society viewed as an organic system where institutions maintain stability. Macro-Level Analysis: Focuses on societal norms and shared values. Examples: Durkheim’s Collective Conscience, Comte’s Social Statics and Dynamics. Hierarchy (Conflict Theory)  Social systems defined by dominant power structures (e.g., capitalism, patriarchy). Emphasis on Inequality: Power dynamics create systemic conflict and change. Examples: Marx’s Class Struggle, Frankfurt School’s critique of culture industries. Heterarchy (Intersectionality) Examines how systems like capitalism and patriarchy intersect, creating complex social realities. Focus on Intersections: Social identities (race, gender, class) shape privilege/oppression. Examples: Collins’s Matrix of Domination, Du Bois’s Double Consciousness. Constructionism Social realities shaped by language, knowledge, and shared beliefs, not inherent structures. Examples: Foucault’s Power/Knowledge, Symbolic Interactionism’s focus on individual meaning-making. Methodological Individualism Micro-Level Analysis: Studies individual interactions to explain larger social patterns. Examples: Weber’s Social Action theory. Tangled Systems Theory Social order results from multiple systems with distinct rules (e.g., capitalism vs. patriarchy). Criticism and Argumentation Criticism: Combines explanation, evaluation, and reflection to address contradictions or irrationalities in theories. Argumentation: Uses logical propositions and empirical evidence to support claims. ○ Key Evaluation Questions: 1. Is the argument valid? 2. Is it sound? Wheel of Science and Theory The Scientific Inquiry Cycle 1. Theory: Explains patterns and relationships in the social world. 2. Hypothesis: Specific, testable prediction derived from theory. 3. Observation: Systematic data collection to test hypotheses. 4. Empirical Generalization: Patterns across settings inform broader theories. Processes Induction: From specific observations to broader generalizations (builds theory). Deduction: From general theories to specific hypotheses (tests theory). WEEK 5: Social Solidarity and Social Order Video: The Allegory of the Long Spoons Message: Helping and sharing lead to better societal outcomes. Lesson: Social arrangements and production methods affect collective success. Durkheim’s Perspective on Society Big Picture: Society operates like an organism, with interconnected functions. Core Belief: Sociology as a science uncovers facts about societal forces, ignoring prior assumptions. Social Solidarity Definition: Unity and mutual support within a society. 1. Mechanical Solidarity: ○ Based on similarities and a shared collective consciousness. ○ Features: Low division of labor (DOL). Strong shared values and group binding. Moral code enforced by repressive laws (punitive). 2. Organic Solidarity: ○ Based on differences and interdependence. ○ Features: High DOL, with individuals playing unique roles. Weak collective consciousness. Moral code enforced by restitutive laws (restores disrupted relationships). Key Terms and Concepts 1. Collective Consciousness: ○ Shared ways of knowing, forms of logic, and epistemological assumptions. ○ Example: Concept of time and space shared among society. 2. Collective Conscience: ○ Internalized societal norms and values, guiding individual behavior. ○ Example: Shared scientific values among Japanese skilled workers. 3. Social Facts:  ○ External societal forces that constrain individuals. ○ Features: 1. Externality: Acts on individuals from outside. 2. Constraint: Exists independently of individual manifestations. ○ Examples: Laws, customs, shared beliefs. Durkheim on Crime and Law Insight: Crime is essential for societal health. ○ Clarifies shared moral values. ○ Strengthens collective conscience by reinforcing what society rejects. Repressive Laws: Punish perpetrators through diffuse societal judgment (common in mechanical solidarity). Restitutive Laws: Restore disrupted relationships (common in organic solidarity). Anomic Division of Labor (DOL) Definition: Occurs when societal roles fail to align with individual talents. Examples: Slavery, caste systems, rapid technological or economic changes. Impact: Leads to inequality, class struggles, and societal dysfunction. Suicide and Social Phenomena Suicide rates linked to lack of social integration and moral regulation. 1. Types of Suicide: ○ Anomic Suicide: Low moral regulation (e.g., during economic crises). ○ Egoistic Suicide: Low social integration (e.g., isolation). ○ Fatalistic Suicide: High moral regulation (e.g., extreme oppression). ○ Altruistic Suicide: High social integration (e.g., self-sacrifice for the group). Key Insights from Durkheim Functional Laws: Reflect collective conscience, providing stability. Modern Societies: Require organic solidarity and spontaneous DOL without class struggles. Integration and Regulation: Essential for preventing societal issues like anomie or unequal power distribution. WEEK 6: Marx’s Conceptions of Society, Social Change, and Capitalism Key Themes in Marx’s Thought Human Nature and Labor Humans are productive, social beings; existence is reproduced by laboring in nature with others. Humanity is realized through creative, non-exploitative relationships with nature and others. “Who we are is determined by what we do.” Influence of Hegel Hegel’s Dialectic: History as a developmental process of self-realization and ideas. ○ Marx’s Adaptation: Reality (material conditions) shapes ideas, not vice versa. Materialism vs. Idealism: ○ Idealism: Ideas determine reality. ○ Materialism: Actions and modes of production shape thoughts and culture. Key Concepts in Marx’s Framework 1. Material Base (Mode of Production): ○ Comprised of forces of production (tools, technology) and relations of production (social dynamics within the system). 2. Ideological Superstructure: ○ Cultural systems of ideas (e.g., morality, religion, laws) reflect and reinforce the material base. ○ "The ideas of the ruling class are in every epoch the ruling ideas." 3. Power and Control: ○ Ruling class controls production of ideas and institutions, determining societal norms and behaviors. ○ Example: Churches and courts regulate morality; labor industries define desirable worker traits. 4. Private Property: ○ Ownership of the means of production (MOP) shapes institutions that enforce property rights and resource allocation. Social Order and Change 1. Historical Materialism: ○ Society evolves through stages (epochs) driven by class conflicts. ○ Ruling classes dominate through control of production and ideology. 2. Dialectic: ○ Reciprocal tensions and contradictions drive change; nothing is perfectly stable. ○ Examples: Knowledge evolves, societal structures shift under pressure. ○ “Things become in actuality what they were always potentially.” 3. Conflict Theory:  ○ Class struggles (e.g., bourgeoisie vs. proletariat) central to societal transformations. Social Classes Under Marx 1. Bourgeoisie: ○ Capitalists who own the MOP and employ wage labor. 2. Proletariat: ○ Workers who sell labor power for survival, lacking ownership of production. Industrial Revolution Context Wealth increased through production and consumption, but urbanization led to overcrowding and slums. Mechanization and division of labor (DOL) de-skilled workers, increasing exploitation. Testimony to Sadler Commission (1832): Documented harsh textile factory conditions, showing how machines dictated labor rhythms. Labor Exploitation in Capitalism Surplus Value: Profit generated by paying workers less than the value they produce. ○ Capitalist goal: Maximize surplus value by increasing efficiency and lowering wages. Worker’s Reality: Work or starve; choice constrained by systemic inequality. Critique of Capitalism 1. Materialist Analysis: ○ Rejects abstract philosophy, focusing on real, empirical conditions. 2. False Consciousness: ○ Ideologies obscure exploitation, making systemic inequality appear natural. 3. Alienation: ○ Labor separates workers from the product, process, others, and self. Feminist Perspective on Labor Women face a “second shift” of unpaid domestic work. Class-Conscious Feminists: Advocate dismantling systems that perpetuate inequality. Marx’s Vision of Freedom Humanity’s potential lies in free, collaborative labor. Dialectic illustrates contradictions in society that lead to revolutionary change. WEEK 8: Irrationality and the "Dark Side" of Modernity Key Themes in Marx and Weber Debate Marx’s Approach Base and Superstructure: ○ Material base (means of production) shapes the superstructure (ideas, institutions, culture). ○ Dominant class controls ideas and institutions, which serve to maintain their power. Consciousness: ○ Social norms, ideologies, and cultural practices are products of material conditions. ○ False consciousness obscures exploitation, making inequality appear natural. Weber’s Argument Ideas and Values: ○ Cultural norms and ideologies have independent causal force and cannot be reduced to material conditions. ○ Focus on understanding how beliefs shape actions and societal systems. Definition of Sociology: ○ Sociology is the science of social action, explaining its causes and effects through interpretive understanding. Weber’s Theory of Power and Authority 1. Power: ○ Ability to realize one’s will, even against opposition. 2. Authority: ○ Legitimate form of power that compels compliance through belief. ○ Types of Authority: Charismatic Authority: Based on extraordinary personal qualities (e.g., revolutionaries, cult leaders). Traditional Authority: Rooted in long-standing customs and traditions (e.g., monarchs, religious leaders). Legal-Rational Authority: Based on established laws and formal structures (e.g., modern governments, bureaucracies). Instrumental vs. Value Rationality Instrumental Rationality: Action guided by efficiency and calculating means to an end. Value Rationality: Action guided by ethics, beliefs, emotions, or traditions.  Modernity’s Shift: Transition from value-driven actions to instrumental rationality leads to disenchantment, where rationalization dominates social life. Frankfurt School: Critical Theory Purpose Explains why Marx’s predicted proletarian revolution did not occur in capitalist societies. Focuses on capitalism’s ability to sustain itself through ideological and cultural control. Major Themes 1. Material Production Changes: ○ Fordism: Standardized mass production paired with higher wages to create consumer markets. Workers became consumers, deepening dependency on the capitalist system. ○ Taylorism: Scientific management of labor to maximize efficiency. Alienated workers by treating them as tools rather than creative individuals. 2. Ideological Manipulation: ○ Capitalism’s survival linked to its ability to create passive, docile consumers. ○ Propaganda, industrial psychology, and political messaging reinforce the status quo. 3. Culture Industry (Adorno and Horkheimer): ○ Mass culture standardized and commodified, similar to factory production. ○ Entertainment and media distract from critical thought, encouraging conformity and consumerism. ○ Suppresses individuality and political resistance by offering superficial pleasures. Technological Rationality Technology and science intended to liberate but often used as tools for control and manipulation. Rationalization extended to all aspects of life, limiting creativity and autonomy. Dialectic of Enlightenment Contradictions: Enlightenment’s promise of progress and freedom undermined by its own logic. ○ Rationality becomes a means of domination. ○ Freedom reduced to consumer choice; happiness tied to material goods. Reductions:  ○ Freedom → Leisure and consumption. ○ Reason → Instrumental efficiency. ○ Happiness → Status and consumerism. Milgram Experiment and Authority Purpose: Tested how far individuals would go in obeying authority figures. Findings: 65% of participants delivered severe shocks when directed by authority, even at moral cost. Key Insight: Obedience to legitimate authority is a powerful form of social control, illustrating how individuals prioritize authority over personal ethics. Critical Theory and Society Cycle of Manipulation Products and services create artificial desires, perpetuating consumer dependency. Culture becomes commodified, where entertainment masks exploitation and inequality. Happiness and False Consciousness Capitalism ties happiness to material consumption and superficial success (e.g., "new car smell"). Consumerism reinforces the illusion of freedom while maintaining systemic inequality. Oversimplification Warning Critical theory critiques entire systems of socialization, not just specific actors like capitalists or governments. Domination stems from the interlocking structures of production, culture, and ideology. Key Takeaways Marx: Focused on material base shaping societal structures; critique of capitalism’s exploitation. Weber: Highlighted the independent role of ideas and rationalization in shaping modern society. Frankfurt School: Analyzed capitalism’s ideological power and the commodification of culture. Milgram Experiment: Demonstrated the extent of obedience under legitimate authority, showcasing the dark side of power. WEEK 9: Weber’s Conception of “The Social” and Social Science What is Sociology? Definition (Weber): Science aimed at the interpretive understanding of social action to uncover its causes and effects. Key Concepts 1. Verstehen (Deep Understanding) Definition: Understanding social practices from the perspective of those performing them. Importance: Reveals subjective meaning behind actions and the cultural/social context influencing behavior. Example: Analyzing a protest requires understanding the "why" behind the participants’ actions. 2. Social Action Definition: Behavior with subjective meaning directed toward others. Components: ○ Action: Behavior to which meaning is attached. ○ Meaning: Abstract: Used analytically. Actual: Lived meaning by individuals. Key Features: ○ Oriented to past, present, or future behaviors of others. ○ Not all human behavior qualifies (e.g., reflexes, non-social actions). Examples in Practice: ○ Non-Action: Withholding votes, moments of silence (still social actions). 3. Ideal Types Definition: Abstract constructs for analyzing social phenomena. Purpose: Serve as reference points to identify patterns, consequences, and causes in social action. Characteristics: ○ Analytical tools, free of value judgments. ○ Not descriptions of reality but conceptual representations. Examples: Bureaucracy, capitalism, terrorism, protest movements. Four Types of Social Action (Weber) 1. Traditional Action: Guided by habit or customs. ○ Example: Greeting with a handshake. 2. Effectual Action: Driven by emotion.  ○ Example: Slamming a table in anger (non-social) or making a fist to intimidate (social). 3. Value-Rational Action: Action based on adherence to core principles, regardless of outcomes. ○ Example: Acting according to religious beliefs. 4. Instrumental Rational Action: Means-oriented action aimed at achieving specific goals. ○ Example: Studying to achieve high grades. Case Studies and Applications 1968 Olympics Black Power Salute Actions: ○ Athletes raised fists during the anthem to protest racial injustice. ○ Symbolism in gestures: bare feet (poverty), unzipped jackets (solidarity with workers). Social Actions at Play: ○ Effectual: Emotional response to racial injustice. ○ Value-Rational: Standing for civil rights. ○ Instrumental: Using Olympic platform to highlight inequality. Gwen Berry’s Protest (2019) Raised her fist during the anthem to protest racial injustice. Rule 50: Bans racial, political, or religious propaganda at the Olympics. Understanding Social Action Weber’s Perspective: Social action usually combines multiple types. Focus: Explaining the causes, consequences, and meanings of actions in specific contexts. Michael Kimmel on Angry White Male Protestors Concept: "Aggrieved Entitlement" – White men’s sense of loss due to unfulfilled expectations of privilege. Roots: ○ Populist anger emerges from enlightenment ideals fused with victimization narratives. Critique: Misplaced anger targets subordinate groups (racism, sexism). Key Takeaways Social Action: Driven by subjective meaning and oriented to interactions with others.  Ideal Types: Tools for understanding patterns in social life without imposing value judgments. Protests and Movements: Highlight combinations of rationality, emotion, and tradition in driving actions. Weber’s Contribution: Focused on understanding the subjective dimension of social behavior, blending cultural, historical, and individual perspectives. WEEK 10: The Concept of Race Key Themes: Race and Social Construction Race as a Social Construct Definition: Race has no biological basis; a manifestation of power arising during 17th-century colonialism. Categories: Political tools shaped by those in power; change over time. Thomas Theorem: If people define race as real, its consequences are real (e.g., money, borders, adulthood). Video: The Myth of Race Key Points: ○ No genes define race; no “pure” races exist. ○ Racial classification simplifies the world but perpetuates stereotypes and inequality. Impact: Social construction of race justifies violence, inequality, and oppression. Sears on Conceptual Rigor Concepts as tools for organizing ideas with analytic precision. Observing race requires understanding its subjective, social, and historical character. Three Views of Race 1. Racial Objectivism: ○ Treats race as static and essential to human groups. ○ Problems: Justifies segregationist policies (e.g., Indian Act). Ignores racial identity’s relational and historical nature. ○ Critique by Omi and Winant: No one fits cleanly into racial “boxes.” 2. Race as an Ideological Construct:  ○ Definition: Race exists to justify social domination; false consciousness perpetuates inequality. ○ Critique by Omi and Winant: Race, a 500+ year principle of social organization, shapes deep individual and societal identities. 3. Racial Formations (Omi and Winant): ○ Definition: Race is a fluid social construct, constantly shaped and contested by racial projects. ○ Highlights race as historically contingent and unstable but deeply embedded in social life. W.E.B. Du Bois on Race Double Consciousness Definition: Black individuals see themselves through their own eyes and the eyes of a dominant, stigmatizing culture. The Veil: Separates Black Americans from full societal integration; symbolizes alienation and oppression. Three Core Issues in Double Consciousness: 1. Exclusion from mainstream society. 2. Power of white stereotypes on Black identity and thought. 3. Internal conflict between African heritage and American identity. The Color Line Problem of the 20th Century: Represents systemic racial divisions and inequalities. New Negro Movement (1900) Du Bois’s exhibit of 350 photographs, charts, and drawings showcased Black socioeconomic progress. Goal: Confront stereotypes and promote a new, dignified image of Black Americans. Du Bois vs. Booker T. Washington Washington’s View: Emphasized industrial education, skills for societal usefulness, and interracial harmony. Argued for gradual progress without challenging segregation directly. Du Bois’s Critique: 1. Disenfranchisement: Without voting rights, property and prosperity remain insecure. 2. Civil Equality: Self-respect undermined under legalized inferiority (Jim Crow laws).  3. Higher Education: Black communities need leaders and teachers to progress. Du Bois viewed Washington’s approach as overly accommodating, giving whites excuses to avoid systemic change. Du Bois on Capitalism and Racism Interconnection: Racism supports capitalism by dividing the working class and justifying exploitation (e.g., slavery, labor division). Critique: Systemic change requires prioritizing collective good over individualism. Capitalism’s Need for Racism: ○ Steals resources (land, labor). ○ Constructs racial hierarchies to maintain inequality and protect white workers’ roles. Du Bois’s Challenge to Sociology 1. Critique of Neutrality: Sociologists cannot be completely objective; acknowledging one’s perspective enhances insight. 2. Car Window Sociology: Criticized superficial understanding of oppression through fleeting observations. 3. Intersectionality (Early): Explored race, gender, and class intersections in shaping diverse experiences of oppression. Key Takeaways Race is a social construct, not biological. Social systems perpetuate racial formations and inequalities through ideologies and institutionalized practices. Du Bois emphasizes systemic change and rejecting superficial approaches to studying inequality. WEEK 11: Intersectionality and Social Justice Video: Senator Murray Sinclair on Reconciliation Residential schools operated for seven generations, alienating Indigenous children from their languages and cultures. Reconciliation requires time and commitment; education system seen as key to repairing harm. Core Concepts of Intersectionality Definition Analytic tool highlighting the interaction of multiple systems of oppression (e.g., race, gender, class). Not about ranking oppressions or creating a victim hierarchy. Kimberlé Crenshaw’s Contributions Coined the term in 1989; focused on Black women’s unique experiences of discrimination (race + gender). Highlights how legal and social frameworks fail to address intersecting forms of oppression (e.g., employment discrimination). Systems of Oppression Operate in interconnected ways, erasing experiences at the intersections of multiple identities. Intersectionality linked to Black feminist praxis, anti-racist legal scholarship, and critical race theory. Depoliticization and Misinterpretation Popularization led to oversimplification: ○ Treated as a checklist or used for corporate branding. ○ Misconceptions include viewing intersectionality as creating competitive oppression hierarchies. Critiques 1. Reduces intersectionality to identity politics rather than systemic analysis. 2. Risks losing its political roots by over-sanitizing the concept. Standpoint Theory Developed by Black feminists as a counter-hegemonic epistemology. Emphasizes that lived experiences of marginalized groups provide unique insights into power structures. Patricia Hill Collins’ Matrix of Domination Race, class, and gender interact to create overlapping systems of oppression. Challenges single-axis approaches to inequality. Core Features of Standpoint Epistemology 1. Highlights perspectives shaped by lived experience.  2. Links theoretical analysis to practical, lived realities. 3. Advocates changes in thought leading to action (dialogical and democratic relations). Incorporating Social Justice into Research Methods: ○ Qualitative: Captures complexities of lived experiences; avoids biased assumptions. ○ Quantitative: Reveals patterns but risks oversimplifying categories. Theoretical Objectives: ○ Center liberatory goals. ○ Challenge dominant, exclusionary frameworks. Video: Sojourner Truth’s Electrifying Speeches Advocated for abolition and women’s rights using her personal experiences and biblical references. Successfully fought for her son’s custody in 1828, becoming a powerful symbol of resistance. Called for reparations, arguing all formerly enslaved people should receive land. Video: Woke Capitalism Critiques corporations for using identity politics to appear progressive while maintaining exploitative power dynamics. Identity politics often serves as a distraction from systemic class struggle. Solidarity must recognize differences, challenge elites, and connect shared interests among the working class. Correcting Intersectionality Misconceptions Not just about oppression or victimization but also resistance and collective agency. Critiques structures of power, not individuals. Key Takeaways Intersectionality critiques systemic power, emphasizing lived experiences and resistance. Standpoint theory provides a framework for counter-hegemonic knowledge. Incorporating intersectionality into research and practice challenges dominant frameworks and promotes transformative change. WEEK 12: Sociology, Persuasion, and Reflexivity Key Themes: Sociology’s Ethical and Epistemological Foundations 1. Sociology is not Neutral: ○ Shaped by ethical, epistemological, and practical considerations. ○ Ethical: Sociologists must question whose interests their knowledge serves. ○ Epistemological: Sociological knowledge is interactive and situated. ○ Practical: Social knowledge can alter the subjects it studies. Attitude Roots and Jiu Jitsu Persuasion By: Hornsey and Fielding Post-Truth Context Increasing polarization and rejection of science in favor of personal beliefs and emotions. Highlights psychological motivations driving the gap between scientific and public opinion. Attitude Roots Framework Surface Attitudes: Observable beliefs shaped by cultural or political disagreements. Deeper Attitudes: Rooted in identity, ideology, fears, and group belonging. ○ Example: Anti-vaccine views tied to conspiratorial thinking and individualism. Jiu Jitsu Persuasion Strategy for navigating controversial topics by aligning messages with the audience's motivations. ○ Example 1: Reframe vaccines as tools against elite conspiracies. ○ Example 2: Promote climate action using patriotism or market-driven solutions for skeptics. Principles: 1. Works with, not against, attitude roots. 2. Non-adversarial and non-judgmental strategy (applied Verstehen). Indigenous Resurgence and Grounded Normativity By: Leanne Betasamosake Simpson Grounded Normativity Definition: Ethical frameworks rooted in Indigenous rationality, spirituality, and land-based practices.  Challenges value-neutral, academic approaches to sociology. Advocates for emotional and intellectual knowledge integration. Key Features of Simpson’s Epistemology 1. Cooperation and solidarity. 2. Accountability in relationships. 3. Inclusivity of diverse Indigenous experiences. Critique of Western Sociology Overly focused on consumption and disconnected from meaningful "making" or creation. Two-Eyed Seeing Emphasizes intersections of people, policies, and priorities in research ethics for Indigenous studies. Reflexive Sociology By: Pierre Bourdieu Sociology as a Martial Art Definition: Tool for self-defense and social critique. Reflexivity: Recognizing mutual influence between researcher and subject. Gouldner’s Critique 1. Methodological Dualism: Sociology separates researcher from the subject, creating a power imbalance. 2. Methodological Monism: Advocates interrogating researchers’ values, motivations, and positionality. Impact of Reflexivity Deepens self-awareness and reliability of sociological knowledge. Transforms both sociology and the individual through self-reflection. Video: Sociology as a Martial Art Martial art analogy: Sociology requires practice, self-awareness, and alignment of thought and action. Reflexivity key to honest inquiry and effective sociological critique. Key Takeaways 1. Sociology must be reflexive, questioning its ethical implications and epistemological assumptions. 2. Jiu Jitsu Persuasion works with motivations to address controversial topics effectively. 3. Indigenous grounded normativity challenges Western academic paradigms, emphasizing relational and land-based epistemologies.