Sociology 103 Tutorial
T H U R S D A Y , J A N U A R Y 1 7 TH, 2 0 1 3
Plan
 Contact information
 What to expect from tutorials
 Summary of Readings (not discussed)
- Starting points (1-2)
- Readings in Sociology (ch. 2)
TA contact info
My email – joshcurtis.utoronto@gmail.com
Office – Sociology building 725 Spadina (third floor)
333, Monday 9-10:45.
Web site - http://joshcurtispolisoc.com/
Slides will be posted here every Sunday before Tutorial
What to expect from tutorials
Starting in tutorial #2 you will need to come having
read the required ‘readings in sociology’ chapters.
Check my webpage for the required chapters.
Why? The RinS textbook has been a difficulty for
students in the past. Preparing in advance will boost
your average. I will go over closely what you should
expect to see on the test. If you don’t come prepared, I
will offer less info.
Today: Readings
 Starting Points – Chapter 1 ‘Intro’
 Starting Points – Chapter 2 ‘Material Settings’
 Readings in Sociology – Section chapter 2
Open Discussion
 Questions about lecture material?
 Text material?
Starting Points: Ch 1
Definitions
 Sociology – systematic study of h. beh. or society.
 Macrosociology – study of institutions or lg. groups
 Microsociology – patterns of personal interaction
 Sociological imagination –an approach that situates the personal
experiences of individuals within the societal context in which they occur.
 Role – an expected pattern of interaction with others
 Status – socially defined position that outlines rights and responsibilities.
 Social Structure – an enduring pattern of social relations among people.
All social structures control people to act in a certain way in a social situation.
Discussion Questions
1) What is the difference between ‘Microsociology’
and ‘Macrosociology’? In groups, pick one general
topic and discuss how a researcher might approach
it from 1) a micro-level; and 2) a macro level.
1) The major theoretical perspectives are divisive in
many ways. What are the central tenets of each?
Explain specifically how they are distinct - and in
opposition to – to one another.
Important Terms: Ch 2.
 Demography- the study of human populations (growth, decline).
 Population composition – the make up of different social types in
a society.
 Population pyramid –
a graphical depiction of the population
composition.
 Cohort – People with a common origin (sex, age)
 Human capital – a skill set that enhances workers value.
 Megacity – large city, exceeding 5 million
 Bedroom city – a tangential city (housing near a larger one)
Population Pyramid
Cohort example
Common Theories in this Chapter
Functionalism
 Society as a set of interconnected elements that operate together in
equilibrium
 Social institutions – families, economy, government, etc.– all make
contributions to the functioning of society as a whole.
 Institutions perform both manifest and latent functions.
 Social problem occur when institutions are unable to perform their
functions.
Conflict Theory
 Divisions between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’
 Disagree with the assumption of consensus in values among all members of
society.
 It’s about unequal distribution of power and resources.
 Views society as a collection of disparate groups struggling over a limited
supply of resources and power.
Chapter 2 continued
 Thomas Malthus – the earth would eventually become
‘overpopulated’.
 The idea of: ‘positive checks’ (death, war, famine) and
‘preventative checks’ (limiting #’s of births).
 Functionalist approach– ‘preventative checks’ reflect
the maintenance of equilibrium; the dangers associated
with losing equilibrium are positive checks.
 Critical approach – deny that social equilibrium is
attainable. The upper classes take action that benefit
themselves. The problems poor countries face are a result
of unequal distribution of wealth.
Group Question
 The beginning of this chapter is about a rising global
population, scarce resources, and inequality. You are
presented with two perspectives: one functionalist
argument, and the other a more ‘critical’ or ‘conflict’
approach. In a brief response ( 1-2 pages) outline
one theoretical approach and apply it to the problem
of overpopulation. Which do you believe is most
relevant and why?
How to approach the texts
 Multiple choice questions
 Readings in Sociology
Multiple Choice Questions
Think strategy.
Don’t impulsively answer each question.
For each question you should have game plan. Think
carefully and dissect each short question. The way
each question is written should give you 1 or two hints.
Figure out what these are before you think about the
correct answer.
example
The view that sex work exploits already poor and
marginalized women who have no other way to make
money reflects a __________ position on sex work.
a) western feminist
b) structural functionalist
c) symbolic interactionist
d) globalization theory
e) critical theory
How to tackle RinS
Understand the overall goals, purpose, and findings in the
article. What problem is the author trying to solve and
what does she/he show?
Answer the following questions:
1) What is the purpose of the article (i.e., academically,
why did the author write this paper – is it tied into a
debate?). (Puzzle/contribution).
2) Identify the main argument of the chapter (thesis).
3) Identify and define all key terms and key figures. How
do they relate to the main arguments in the text?
Ch 2 - Burawoy
Purpose: “I outline Burawoy’s position. As well, I compare his
argument about the superiority of a social democratic public
sociology with a similar claim put forward in the 1970’s by John
Porter, author”.
Argument: “The comparison serves two purposes: 1) it
illustrates the point that the debate is a recurrent one in the
discipline; 2) draw attention to the significance of Porter in
contemporary work.
Key Figures: 1) Burawoy; 2) John Porter.
Key Terms: Public sociology, four ‘faces’ of sociology, value
neutrality, methodological fetishism, macrosociology,
Purpose/Main Arguments
Public sociology – Sociology that transcends academic
circles in order to engage with the wider public and
meaningfully solve social issues.
One main argument (pg 7).: “According to Burawoy’s
vision of the discipline, outlined in ‘For Public Sociology’
and more than a score of essays since, these four types of
sociology should be combined under the umbrella of public
sociology to create a type of discipline – a ‘value science’ –
that would contribute to solving the world’s problems’.
Burawoy’s vision of public sociology: “Professional,
Critical, policy, public”
4 faces of sociology
Professional – “mainstream, highly quantitative,
scientific sociology”
Policy – “applied professional sociology directed at a
solution to a social issue or problem”
Critical – Directed at an audience, but it is reflexive
concerned with addressing ‘value’ questions.
Theoretical debates?
Public – Applied critical sociology. 2 types:
Traditional (newspapers) versus organic (engaging in
dialogue with disadvantaged groups).
Burawoy believes that all types of sociology should be
incorporated into public sociology to create a new
discipline called __________.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
New Liberalism
Practical sociology
Post positivism
Value science
Moral science
Contact Info
Joshcurtis.utoronto@gmail.com