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OUTLINE:

What is sociology?Why study sociology?Developing sociological perspective and imaginationConclusion: Benefits of the sociological perspectiveLecture 1Introduction to Sociology

*Sociology: - the study of human activity as it is affected by social forces emanating from groups, organizations, societies, and even the global community.

Social forces - any human created ways of doing things that influence, pressure, or force people to behave, interact with others, and think in specified ways.

Social Structure. the organized pattern of social relationships and social institutions that together constitute society.

Social Institutions. established and organized systems of social behavior with a particular and recognized purpose. The family, religion, marriage, government, and the economy are examples of major social institutions.

Social Change. The alteration of society over time. Do not see society as fixed, nor do they see humans as passive recipients of social expectations. Sociologists view society as stable but constantly changing.

Social Interaction. behavior between two or more people that is given meaning. Through social interaction, people react and change, depending on the actions and reactions of others.

Microsociology: the detailed study of what individual say, do, and think as they go about their daily livesExample: studies on the intentionality of health workers to work abroad

Macrosociology: the study of large-scale and long-term processesExample studies of the interplay between economic and political processes in a society

*CORE CONCEPT 1Sociologists focus on the social forces that shape human activityHow social relationships influence peoples attitudes and behavior

How major social institutions affect us

How we affect other individuals, groups, and organizations

Developing Sociological ConsciousnessCORE CONCEPT 2The first wisdom of sociology is this things are not what they seem Peter Berger (1963)

Focus on:What are the social forces shaping the human activity under question?Under what circumstances do people resist or challenge social forces?How are social forces initiated? Who benefits from a particular social force and at whose expense?

CORE CONCEPT 3

Sociologists distinguish between troubles, which can be resolved by changing the individual, and the issues, which can be resolved by addressing the social forces that created them

ISSUESTROUBLESFOCUSOutside the individualPersonal needs, problems, and difficultiesCAUSELarge social forcesIndividual shortcomingsEXAMPLE OF CAUSESA culture that values consumption over living within meansLack of motivationBad attitudeFlawed characterWeak skillsRESOLUTIONIdentify and counteract larger social forcesChange individual shortcomingsCHANGE STRATEGIESRegulate financial services industrySeek therapyFind new friendsTake mood altering medicationsLook/change jobs

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The sociological perspective helps us to see general social patterns in the behavior of particular individuals.

It allows or forces us to look beyond the outer appearances of our social world and discover new levels of reality

It also encourages us to realize that society guides our thoughts and deeds to see the strange in the familiar

*Sociology also encourages us to see individuality in social context.

provides the ability to see our private experiences and personal difficulties as entwined with the structural arrangements of our society and the times in which we live.

Help us to understand social marginality, the state of being excluded from social activity as an outsider.

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THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE HELPS US:

assess the truth of common sense.

assess both opportunities and constraints in our lives.

empowers us to be active participants in our society.

realize that society guides our thoughts and deeds to see the strange in the familiar

live in a diverse world.

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