Sociology Module - Introduction & History PDF

**1.0 Introduction** This module is designed to equip students and teachers on the sociological process involved in teaching and learning, in as much as education is a means for preparing the individual to fit into society. A good understanding of the relationship between education and society is v...

**1.0 Introduction** This module is designed to equip students and teachers on the sociological process involved in teaching and learning, in as much as education is a means for preparing the individual to fit into society. A good understanding of the relationship between education and society is vital thus this module is directed at exposing students to the ultimate end. Education, through the teachers at different levels, ultimately plays the social function of producing good and quality citizens on behalf of the society. **3.1.1. Historical Foundation of Sociology** Sociological concept has a long history and can trace its origin to human knowledge and philosophy, particularly to the ideas of Plato in Greece, Maim in India and Khaldum in Arabia. However, a formal study of sociology starts only in the l9th century, when the French philosopher, Auguste Comte, who is considered to be the 'father of sociology" start using the word 'sociology' in a number of lectures and article on human social behaviors and human relationships. Auguste Comte's writings and vision of sociology, as a factual new field of human nature and society, inspired many writers with greater sociology training and background to enter into the field. Another scholar, Herbert Spencer (1820---1903) who is an English philosopher and naturalist, was the first to write a systematic book on sociology entitled "the principles of Sociology" (1876). Amile Durkheim (1858---1917), a French sociologist who became a professor of sociology and education at the Sorborne University, wrote extensively on sociological problems and pioneered the use of statistical methods to analyze social interaction in societies. Many other writers contributed a lot towards development of the sociology course. People like William Graham Sumner (1840---1910), an American sociologist, Max Weber (1864---1920), a German sociologist, Heinrich Marx (1818---1883) also German philosopher, propounded sociological theories like that of Cal Marx. The first independent teaching of sociology was established in the University of Chicago in 1893. Since then, sociology has been taught in colleges, university faculties, prison department, religious studies, guidance and counseling units of schools and all other institutions that cater for the welfare of human being. **3.1.2 The Concept of Sociology** Auguste Conte coined the word sociology by combining Latin word society (socio) and the Greek word for science (logy). Hence it can be perceived as the science of society. Sociologists are of the opinion that sociology has no single definitions. However, some definitions of sociology, as a science, would he given below. Sociology is one of the behavioral science subjects which is associated with the investigation of man's behavior in his group, social relationship and in social institutions. Sociology is not interested in man's body structure or the functioning of his organs or his mental process. It deals with group behavior. It is interested in what happens when man meets man, when human beings form groups and when persons fight, persuade or imitate others. Sociology is a science that aims to describe, explain and predict social happenings. Sociology is a systematic study of group behavior in a precise and controlled way. Sociology is a social science subject which deals with the study of human behavior. **3.1.3 Sociology of Education** Sociology of education is the scientific analysis of the sociological process involved in education and educational institution. It is the study that emphasizes on how culture, attitude, habits and values are appropriately transmitted. Sociology of education deals with: - a. Social and psychological issues like how the family, peer group and the society impacts on child's education. b. The influence of teachers and community and the socioeconomic status of parents and how it influences their children's educational achievement and students' self-concept. c. The social climate of the school, the classroom, parental pressures on children's education and occupational choices. d. The relationship between teachers and the school administration as well as the community. e. Examining the links between the school and the societal culture, politics, economics and family institutions. f. The consideration of the technological development, historical background and geographical environment of the society as one of the instrument of social change. g. The ideology, the needs, the demands, the ambitions and aspirations of the society. **3.2.1 Sociological theories** A theory is a set of ideas or predictions that attempt to give reasons for certain happening and the way they happen. Sociological theory therefore is a set of ideas on how sociologists view the social world and interpret what they see. Sociological theories are selective in terms of their priorities and perspectives with each theory providing a particular explanation of the social world, and how they perceive social interaction. **3.2.2 Types of Sociological theories** There are many sociological theories propounded to explain the social interaction. These which include: - 1. Symbol interaction 2. Structural functionalism 3. The conflict theory **Symbolic Interactionism theory** The people under this perspective and theory are micro-sociologists because they focus their attention on face-to-face interaction between individuals or groups on inter-personal or inter-group interaction process. Symbolic interactionist begins with assumption that much human behaviour is determine not by the objective facts of the situation hut by the meaning people ascribe to a situation. This theory rest on the following assumptions. i. Before any interaction there must be some means of communicating with one another. We communicate by means of symbols such as signs, gestures, written and spoken words, which are attached to meanings. ii. It is through the interaction with other people that we learn the meanings of behavior and events. iii. A word has no inherent meaning but is simply a noise. Also a gesture has no inherent meaning but is simply a body movement. The noise become a word and the body movement becomes a gesture based on agreement reached by people that this particular noise or body movement carries a special meaning. iv. Our identity or sense of self is developed through the reflection of ourselves that we see in other peoples' eyes. Major advocates of the symbolic interactionist perspectives are Colley C. (1846-1929) and others.