Grade 11, University & College Preparation (Course Code: HSP 3M)
Author of Course: Kevin Leung, O.S.
UNIT 2 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
Chapter 2.1 Notes (Sociology's Development)
I) Topics of study in sociology
Relationship between ethnic groups & social classes; gender roles & expectations, familiology, criminology and deviance; and the structure of the workplace.
II) Three Schools of Thoughts
1) Functionalist School (Functionalism) - Comte, Durkheim, Parsons
- Analyzes large-scale patterns of society
- society is best studied as an organic system. Analyzes relationship among parts of society
2) The Conflict School - Marx
- Analyzes large-scale patterns of society
- Human's most important characteristic is their ability to produce so that they can meet their own demands. Therefore, people struggle for power and resources.
- Analyzes struggles and conflicts between social classes
3) Symbolic Interactionism - Weber
- Analyzes small-scale patterns of social interaction
- Most significant characteristic of humans is their ability to reason abstractly & think symbolically. Therefore, they study symbols people use to create social life their own "society"
Three Goals of Sociology
1) Pure - Understand life in human groups
2) Applied - Solve social problems
3) Clinical -bring about social changes
III) Famous Sociologists
Auguste Compte (1798-1857)
- First to study sociology
- Noted that societies change over time
- Equilibrium : societies can find the balance between forces of change and forces of stability
- Originated scientific method (observation/analysis) to study society
- Positivism : rigid application of scientific method to arrive at the truth. Largely rejected later.
TWO CATEGORIES FOR ANALYZING SOCIETY
i) Social statics - the study of society's customs, institutions, laws and interaction
ii) Social dynamics - the stages through which societies must go as they change
Emilie Durkheim (1859-1917)
- French philosopher and founder of modern sociology & functionalism
- believed that scientific method should be applied
- focussed on changing nature of society
SIGNIFICANCE
i) Reform of criminals more effective than viscous punishment
ii) Study of Suicide:
Egoistic Suicide - The person shared none of the values or goals of the society
Altruistic Suicide - The person deliberately entered into an impossible situation, sacrificing themself to protect others
Anomic Suicide - Person overwhelmed with sudden change in society and could not cope with social breakdown