The People of SociologyThe People of Sociology

Auguste Comte Auguste Comte (1798-1857, French) (1798-1857, French)

Coined the term Coined the term “sociology” “sociology” TheoryTheory- - Societies contain Societies contain social statics (forces social statics (forces for social order and for social order and stability) and social stability) and social dynamics (forces for dynamics (forces for conflict and change) conflict and change)

called “called “positivismpositivism”.”.

Harriet Martineau Harriet Martineau (1802-1876, British) (1802-1876, British)

Translated and Translated and condensed Comte’s condensed Comte’s work. Wrote “Society work. Wrote “Society in America” 1837.in America” 1837.

Herbert SpencerHerbert Spencer (1820-1903, British) (1820-1903, British)

Used evolutionary perspective Used evolutionary perspective to explain social order. to explain social order. Societies had separate parts. Societies had separate parts. They developed through a They developed through a process of “struggle” (for process of “struggle” (for existence) and “fitness” (for existence) and “fitness” (for survival). survival). Survival of the Survival of the fittest.fittest. This notion has been This notion has been used to justify class, racial, used to justify class, racial, ethnic, and gender ethnic, and gender inequalities, and to rationalize inequalities, and to rationalize the lack of action to eliminate the lack of action to eliminate harmful practices that harmful practices that contribute to such inequalities.contribute to such inequalities.

Emile DurkheimEmile Durkheim (1858-1917, French) (1858-1917, French)

Limits of human Limits of human potential are based potential are based socially not socially not biologically. People biologically. People are a product of their are a product of their social environment.social environment.

Karl Marx, Durkheim, Weber, and Georg Karl Marx, Durkheim, Weber, and Georg Simmel established the course for modern Simmel established the course for modern sociology.sociology.

Karl MarxKarl Marx (1818-1883, German) (1818-1883, German)

Economics is the Economics is the central force for social central force for social change.change.

Contrast to Contrast to Durkheim, believes Durkheim, believes conflict is necessary conflict is necessary to produce social to produce social change.change.

MarxMarx

Max WeberMax Weber (1864-1920,German) (1864-1920,German)

Concerned with large Concerned with large scale organizations scale organizations “bureaucracies”. “bureaucracies”.

George SimmelGeorge Simmel (1858-1918, German) (1858-1918, German)

Society is best seen Society is best seen as a web of patterned as a web of patterned interactions among interactions among people. The main people. The main purpose should be to purpose should be to examine these examine these interaction processes interaction processes within groups.within groups.

Sociology in the U.S.Sociology in the U.S.

Jane AddamsJane Addams (1860-1935, Chicago) (1860-1935, Chicago)

Founded “Hull Founded “Hull House”, the first House”, the first settlement house in settlement house in Chicago.Chicago.

Hull HouseHull House

Jane at Hull HouseJane at Hull House

W.E.B. Dubois and Atlanta W.E.B. Dubois and Atlanta UniversityUniversity

Created a sociology Created a sociology laboratory and laboratory and instituted a program instituted a program of systematic of systematic research. Sociology research. Sociology of African Americans.of African Americans.