Rae Anna Barnes Lesson Plan #1 SS 395 3 Major Theories in Sociology Essential Questions: What are the three major theories in sociology? How is each theory utilized to explain behaviors in society? Focus: The focus of this lesson is explaining and applying the three major theories, structural-­‐functional, conflict, and symbolic-­‐interaction in society and recognizing who was a major part in establishing each theory under the vital theme of theoretical perspective. Theoretical perspective is the vital theme of comprehending the theories in sociology to explain society behaviors. Structural-­‐Functional or functionalism is a theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote unity and stability. Functionalism has three concepts developed by Robert Merton to help explain functionalism and they are manifest functions, latent functions, and social dysfunction. Manifest function is the intended results of the behavior in society. Latent functions are the unintended results of the behavior in society. Social dysfunction is the behavior that disrupts society flow. Functionalism is not perfect and it has flaws in it. A flaw is the theory does not involve conflict in the results of the research because it focuses on stability and unity. Another flaw is the theory focus on the society and not on the individual person. There are four main people who are part of functionalism and they are Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer, and Robert K. Merton. Conflict theory or social conflict approach is the theory that sees society, as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change and Karl Marx is the main sociologist part of this theory. Just like functionalism, conflict has the same flaw of covering society and not looking at individuals’ behaviors. Political and conflict focuses is another flaw because the theory does not focus on other topic. Most of conflict theory is for political reasoning to help make society better but something that is not a good thing. Symbolisms or symbolic-­‐interaction approach is the theory of seeing individual actions in everyday life as a product and the main people involved in this theory are Max Weber, George Herbert Mead, Erving Goffman, and George Homans. Macro-­‐level orientation and micro-­‐level orientation are the two concepts in symbolic-­‐interaction approach to aid in explaining the results from research. Macro-­‐level orientation is seeing the big picture of what is happening in society and micro-­‐level is looking at the interaction of individuals. The main problem in this theory is it looks at individuals and not the surrounding influences of society. The sociologists involved in each theory will be explained in detail in a lesson two days after this lesson. This is the first look at the sociologist to obtain a basic view of their ideas. I will engage the students by asking them before looking at the definition or explanation of the theories to describe one of the theories in their own words what they think the theory means. This assignment is using the students’ brain to think logically and sociologically at the beginning of class to interpret what they think the theory means without information being provide to them. After discussing students’ thought, I will explain what each is, who was part of it, and what method are used to obtain the results. The best way to retain and recognize the material is to have different activities to comprehend the material through worksheet and skits. The habit of mind being used is recognizing how each theoretical perspective sheds light on human social behavior. The assessment at the end of the lesson is to have the student write their own examples of each theory to show if they recognize social behavior in their daily lives. Vital Theme/Disciplinary Concept: Theoretical Perspectives Habits of Mind: Recognize how each theoretical perspective sheds light on human social behavior Objective: • Describe and define the three major theories, structural-­‐functional, conflict, and symbolic-­‐interaction • Apply the three theories in every day life Learning Standards: S.1.4 Explain the major theoretical perspectives (paradigms) common to sociology including structural functional; symbolic interaction; and conflict theory. Identify key theorists with each. Recognize how each perspective sheds light on human social behavior D2.Soc.2.9-­‐12. Define social context in terms of the external forces that shape human behavior. 11-­‐12.LH.7.1: Evaluate various explanation for actions or events, and determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain. Procedures: (5 minutes) Posted note on desk with one of three theories, On board students have to write a paragraph what the theory they have on their desk means in their own words without information to help them. (5 minutes) Discuss the students’ meanings and why they choose those words and definition (15 minutes) Explaining each theory • Definition • Sociologists part of it • Problems with each theory (10 minutes) Pass out worksheet and students identify which theory explains the behavior. (13 minutes) Discuss the worksheet (2 minutes) Explain their assignment due tomorrow Assessment: Students will create an example for each theory tomorrow on a separate sheet of paper and explaining why this theory goes with this example. The students cannot use the examples from class or worksheet. Sources, Materials, and Accommodations • PowerPoint for Explaining each theory o Pictures for PowerPoint § https://www.google.com/search?q=karl+marx&espv=2
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Worksheet for students https://laulima.hawaii.edu/access/content/user/kfrench/sociol
ogy/The%20Three%20Main%20Sociological%20Perspectives.p
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O Herbert
Spencer
O Emile
Durkheim
O Auguste
Comte
O Robert
Merton
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O Also called Structural-Functional
Approach
O A theory that sees society as a complex
system whose parts work together to
promote solidary and stability
O Manifest Functions
O Latent Functions
O Social Dysfunction
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O Problems
O Vision society as stable and orderly
O Inequalities of Social Class, Race,
and Gender
O Conservative views
O Broad terms “family” “social class”
not individuals
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O Also called Social-Conflict
Theory
O A theory that sees society
as an area of inequality that
generates conflict and
changes
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O Karl Marx
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O Also called Symbolic-Interaction
O Problems:
O Focuses on Inequality
O Pursue Political goals
O Broad terms “family” “social
class” not individuals
Approach
O A theory that sees society as the
product of the everyday interactions
of individuals
O Macro-Level Orientation
O Micro-Level Orientation
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O Max Weber
O Problems:
O George
O No broad terms, people
Herbert
Mead
O Erving
Goffman
O George
Homans
interacting
O Missing influence of
culture, class, gender, race
3 Main Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Worksheet Directions: Read each situation, identify what theory it is, and explain why that theory with specific example from the theory explanation and from situation 1) Technology has consumed society. Many adults are going back to school to learn more about technology and obtain better or more degrees. Theory: __________________________________________ Why?:_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________ 2) Two women are talking to each other at the entrance of Meijer about the word rocket their sons have been saying. One of the women saying, “Tim keeps saying this word about girls on TV and it drive me crazy.” The other woman says, “John said the same word too. He tell me it means the girl is hot but I just imagine a rocket ship going into space.” The first woman says, “Kids today.” Theory: __________________________________________ Why?:_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________ 3) Bob and George are two men who work at Wal-­‐Mart. Bob works as a cahier and George is the Vice President of Advertising. Bob cannot stand the amount of money he is earning because it is not enough to help support his family. George is very happy with his work and the amount of money he is earning. Theory: __________________________________________ Why?:_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________ 4) Beth and Charles are getting married soon. They are out buying their wedding rings and they are having problems deciding on a ring. Beth wants a fancy ring to show her friends what a wonderful husband she has and everlasting love they have for each other. Charles see the rings as a trap and financial burden. Theory: __________________________________________ Why?:_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________ 5) Three people, Dan, Pam, and Vince, work at Taco Bell. Dan is the cook. Pam packs the food in the foil. Vince is the cashier. Each position is important to complete the meal for the consumer. Theory: __________________________________________ Why?:_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________ 6) Iris and Ryan are neighbors and high school students. Iris is from a wealthy family and she is going to college with her parents’ money. Ryan’s parents work minimum-­‐wage jobs and he is not going to college due to lack of funds. Theory: __________________________________________ Why?:_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________ Dr. Brown’s Comments The purpose of this lesson was to introduce students to major sociological theories and
to have them apply this knowledge by considering how sociologists operating under
specific theoretical frameworks would describe situations to explain human social
behavior.
It is a good idea to provide specific definitions and examples for students and then to
apply the theories to specific situations. Consider reworking the wording on the
handout. I think you mean that a sociologist is describing a situation and has reached a
conclusion based on a theoretical perspective. It isn’t really a “theory” - what you are
asking students to do is identify which lens the sociologist is using to describe an
example of human social behavior.
Why do sociologists use theories? How do these theories fit into the larger purposes of
the discipline? Why do the different approaches exist? It is interesting to examine the
theories, but remember that you must help students understand a larger purpose than
just memorizing theories. You don’t want your students to leave class thinking, “So
what?” Consider these larger questions to help you set a purpose for this lesson.
To that end, how might you tighten up your focus statement so that it is succinct and
conveys key ideas related to the specific content to be taught and the larger sociological
concepts and themes being examined? Remember not to get bogged down in details look for the bigger picture.