SocBook 2nd entry 9/4/18

Today in class we discussed the origin of Sociology as well as Sociological perspectives and Sociological theories. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, there were some major changes that helped develop the science of Sociology.  These changes were the rise in industry, increase in city growth and new political ideas. Auguste Comte is said to be the father of Sociology.

The rise in Industry widened the gap between the rich and poor. It also contributed to the growth in urban populations. The increase in cities caused many problems as it was happening faster than people could keep up. People changed the way they viewed the world in part because of the printing press. Previously only the rich and powerful had access to information. This made them view the leadership in different ways. They were no longer looked at as Gods. With the spread of information, education increased.

Start video at 10min 12 sec.

We discussed 4 Sociological Perspectives or seeing the general in the particular, seeing the strange in the familiar, seeing personal life choices from the social contexts and seeing the crisis in the marginality. Our lives are all connected. Using these perspectives, we can see how they are connected. They can allow us to be more sensitive to social needs. When we apply the sociological perspectives to everyday situations, it allows us to view society with many eyes. Depending on the perspective, we can view the same event and clearly see different patterns from which we can draw different conclusions.

We discussed that there are 3 Sociological theories. Structural-Functional, Social-Conflict and Symbolic-Interaction.  The Structural-Functional approach sees society as having parts that all work together. It sees society as very stable because each part has a specific function. We will continue more tomorrow.

One thing I can do to affect society in a positive way is to try something that someone else is interested in.

One thing I can do to affect society in a negative way is to reject someone’s interest without learning about it.

One thing society can do to affect me in a positive way is when I see my children interacting with their friends. It makes me feel good to see them happy and watching them learn to interact with others.

One thing society can do to affect me in a negative way is when I see how dangerous life can be. When I was a child there may have been just as much danger, but it was not magnified so I was not influenced by it.