What is Sociology?

SOC 101

Introduction to Sociology

Paul Prew

Today

Revolution?What is Sociology?Syllabus and Course ContentPandora’s Box

The relationship between social issues and social movements

The Sociological ImaginationHow do we understand the world we live in?

Course Themes

Period of Revolution?

While many generations believe they are in the middle of a turning point in history, you are in the middle of some of the most dramatic changes on Earth since the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Climate Change

Earth Faces 'Catastrophic Loss of Species’http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0720-08.htm

'Dead zone' startles scientistshttp://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1155178563281860.xml&coll=7&thispage=1

First Half of 2006 Is Warmest on Recordhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13860976/

Local ConnectionsBoundary Waters Canoe Area Fire Summer - 2006

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/555509.html

"The pines will start to come back, but that's a very slow process," said researcher Lee Frelich, director of the Center for Hardwood Ecology at the University of Minnesota.

"If global warming doesn't change the pattern, we could see a pine forest again by the year 2150 or 2200.”

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/610328.html

Sociology is:

The Short Definition:“The scientific study of societies and human social behavior” (pg 6).

Another Short Definition:The study of how people organize themselves as they interact with nature to meet their needs.

Sociology is the study of how people organize themselves as they interact

with nature to meet their needs.

How People Organize ThemselvesPeople are not “people” outside of a social context!The organization of a society is important to understand the culture and behavior of people.

Interact With NaturePeople cannot survive without nature.How people obtain their needs from nature shapes the society where a person lives.

Sociology is:

The Long Definition:

Social interaction of people in groups

Gender, racial and sexual relations

Historical development of civilizations

Political, economic and social institutions

People’s interaction with nature

And much more …

Origins of Sociology

Sociology Political Science Anthropology Economics History Agricultural Studies

Political Economy

Syllabus

One BookSullivan, Thomas J. 2007. Sociology: Concepts and Applications in a Diverse World.

Four ExamsMultiple ChoiceNo Make-ups !!!!

Final (fifth exam) is Optional

More Syllabus Info

I will provide scantrons for exams.

Let me know if you have concerns or needs that you would like addressed.

Fine PrintDo not disturb your neighbors.

Do not cheat.

Pandora’s Box

Pandora’s Box

Pandora was sent to punish people for Prometheus’ gift of fire.

She was given a box and told not to open it.

It released all the ills of the world.

She opened it one last time and released “hope.”

Answer the following questions:

1. What do you think is the most pressing problem that you will be facing in the next ten years?

2. What do you think is necessary to solve this problem?

3. How can people like you help in the process of solving the problem?

Pandora’s Box and Sociology

Sociology exposes the issues and problems that face us.

Social movements provide the hope to solve them.

Ignorance is Bliss

If we do not attempt to understand the society around us, we tend not to trouble ourselves with the problems.

In this class, we will look at how the media and education makes it difficult to understand the world.

We will also look at issues like racism, climate change and the health care system to better understand them and also see what people are doing about these issues.

The Sociological Imagination

Understanding society by situating yourself in historical context.

Understanding society by moving from the large-scale to small-scale and back again.

What are the relationships between the large-scale and small-scale?

How do my problems fit in the bigger picture?

Why are you paying so much for gas?

How am I going to afford tuition?

Why can't I get married if I'm gay?

What kind of job can I expect when I graduate?

Situate Yourself in History

Your life and the lives of others are part of a larger picture.

People have agency but there ability to determine their lives is constrained by other social forces.

What if the degree you chose has a glut of graduates?

Larger Picture

Cuba 2004

A Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph winds hit Cuba

1.5 million people evacuated

No deaths

US 2005

Hurricane with winds between 125-140mph (Cat 3-4)Stranded victims and delayed responseNearly 1,500 deaths

Large-Scale and Small-Scale

On the small scale, we can talk about the personal failures of specific politicians.

On the large scale, we can look at the poverty in the region and the structure of agencies responsible for the levees and evacuation.

No Easy Answers

Because issues are a combination of large and small-scale forces, there are no simple answers.

Pointing fingers at immigrants or saying “they hate us for our freedom” does more to obscure an issue than understand it.

Troubles vs Issues

Troubles are specific to an individualA person is depressed because of a death in the family.

Issues affect the broader societyRedefinition of depression by pharmaceutical companies means more people on anti-depressants.

Course Themes

Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism narrows our vision of the world.

Ethnocentrism also places ourselves in a superior position relative to other people in order to justify our actions.

Socialization

Socialization is a necessary component of becoming a person.

Socialization takes place in a number of ways.

FamilyPeersEducationMedia

Social Stratification

Real Wages Fail to Match a Rise in Productivity

Hourly Output and Hourly Compensation

The Household Debt BubbleConsumer Debt

Social Inequality - Race / Ethnicity

Racial inequality is still a major force in our world today.

Discrimination in housing and loansDiscrimination in enforcement of law

Minorities are not allowed to determine their own image.

Mascots

Social Inequality - Gender

How is gender defined?

How do gender and sexuality differ?

Gender inequality.Women are paid about 75 cents on the dollar compared to men

Sexual AssaultWhile declining in recent years, 1 in 6 women have been a victim of sexual assault.

Family

How can social science methods be used to shed light on slave families in the mountain South?

Health Care Inequality

We will look at the leading determinants of health and longevity.

What is the role of the pharmaceutical industry in the provision of health care?

Education

What are the trends in education?

What are the impacts of “no child left behind?”

What does this mean for democracy?

Political and Economic Institutions

You are affected by institutions that you may not even know about.

World Trade OrganizationInternational Monetary Fund

International involvement of the US in other countries.

Middle East policyNicaragua and Venezuela

Social Control

While the text focuses on control of crime, we will look at the control of people and groups that resist inequality.

Why do people “go against the grain?”

How is repression used to ensure those in power continue to enjoy the benefits of that power?

Climate Change

What is happening with the climate?

How will it affect people in the future?

Social Change

How do people respond to the social world?

How do people attempt to change the institutions in their lives?

How can you be a part of that process that is happening anyway?

Next Week

Issues of Bias

Ethnocentrism