Origins of Sociology
By: Abbey Cameron
social sciences
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The study human behavior and
institutions is called social sciences.
Examples of social sciences are:
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Anthropology
Psychology
Economics
History
Political Science
Sociological perspective
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To look at social life in a scientific
and systematic way instead of
relying on media and tradition for
explanation.
By adopting a sociological
perspective, you can look beyond
commonly held beliefs (often
prejudicial) to the hidden meanings
behind human actions.
Examples of sociological perspective
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http://youtu.be/akbCmxb_w8s
The traditional or common
explanation of this behavior is
what?
What do you think the sociological
explanation of this behavior could
be?
Sociological Imagination
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The sociological perspective can
help you view your own life within a
larger social and historical context.
This ability to see the connection
between the larger world and your
personal life is what C. (Charles)
Wright Mills called the sociological
imagination.
Example of sociological imagination
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Raise your hand and give an
explanation using the “Mean Girls”
paradigm of social imagination.
Careers
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Baccalaureates in Sociology- Four year degree
from accredited College or University:
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Social Services
Counselors
Psychologists
Clerical support in government agencies related to
field
Teachers
Librarians
Activists
Politicians
Other
Careers
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Post graduate degree in sociology:
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Full Professor
Associate Professor
Government employee and researcher
Politician
Consultant
The History of Sociology
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Sociology was born of the industrial
revolution.
Industrialization led to booming urban
populations and eventually serious urban
problems.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5D
wnNPHVAU
Examples of these problems:
1. Crime
2. Poverty
3. Exploitation
Auguste Comte
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French philosopher
considered the father
of sociology and
coined the term
“sociology” (1837)
Among the first
scholars to apply the
methods of physical
sciences to the study
of society
“Cerebral hygiene”
limited his work.
Harriet Martineau
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English female who
made a living off of her
writings on the subject
of sociology.
Wrote “Society in
America”
Her detached style of
writing became the
standard for objectivity
in research.
Spoke out on religious
intolerance, women's
rights and the abolition
of slavery.
Herbert Spencer
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Trained as a civil engineer,
Spencer applied the principles
of biology to society.
Spencer was heavily influenced
by the works of Charles Darwin
and used some of Darwin’s
principles to explain the nature
of society.
Social change and unrest is a
natural occurrence during
societies evolution.
The best principles of society
survive over time leading to an
improvement of society.
Coined the term “Survival of
the fittest” and “social
Darwinism”
Karl Marx
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Structure of society is
based upon economics.
Two classes: the
bourgeoisie and the
proletariat
Emphasized the role that
conflict plays in social
change and advocated
revolution to speed up
change.
Wrote “the poverty of
philosophy” and
“Communist Manifesto”
Emile Durkheim
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Described society as a
set of interdependent
parts, with each part
serving a specific
function.
Fascinated by the
function of religion as
a social control.
Believed sociologists
should focus on
observable
phenomena.
Published a study on
suicide in 1897
Max Weber
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Weber was interested in
separate groups within
society rather than
society as a whole.
Weber also wanted to
use sociology to uncover
people’s feelings and
motivations.
Weber called this
Verstehen (fer-SHTAYen) –the attempt to
understand meanings
individuals attach to
their actions.
Jane Addams
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American
sociologist that
created “Hull
House” in 1889 on
the Westside of
Chicago.
She offered
welfare,
educational
services for urban
poor
W.E.B. DuBois
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The first African
American to earn a
doctorate at Harvard.
Published “The
Philadelphia Negro”
and many other
papers addressing
race in America.
Founded the NAACP in
1909
Resources
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“Sociology: The study of Human
Relationships” Holt McDougal
“Mean Girls”
“Gangs of New York”