DEFINING
SOCIOLOGY
Socius (Latin)
“companion”
Logos (Greek)
“study of”
“The Study of
Society” (August Comte, 1798-1857)
1. Sociology is the discipline
that attempts to understand the forces
outside us that shape our
lives, interests, and personalities. (Eitzen and Zinn, 2003:4)
KEY
WORDS:
Discipline: Methods
Forces
outside us: Society
Our: Collective
2.
Sociology
is a systematic approach to
thinking about, studying, and understanding society, human social behavior, and social groups. (Farley, 2003:2)
KEY WORDS:
Systematic
approach: Methods
Society: Society
Social
groups: Collective
3.
Sociology
is the scientific study of
society and human behavior. (Henslin,
2003:4)
KEY WORDS:
Scientific
study: Methods
4.
The
Sociological perspective is a view of human behavior that focuses on the patterns of relationships among
individuals rather than solely on the individuals themselves. (Levin, 1984:7)
KEY WORDS:
Patterns of
relationships…: Society
5.
Sociology
is a liberating perspective. It forces us to look at the social processes
that influence our thoughts, perceptions, and actions, and helps us see how social change occurs and the impact
we can have on others. (Newman,
1995:495)
KEY WORDS:
Liberating
perspective: Understanding is a
pre-condition for effective social change
How social
change occurs…: Social change
Why is Sociology Liberating?
·
“The insights of
sociology is not only liberating but a necessary precondition for meaningful
social action to bring social change."
(Textbook, p. 4)
·
To look behind the closed
doors of social life is fraught with danger.
Sociology frightens some people because it questions what they normally
take for granted.” (Textbook, p. 7)
·
“I have not forgotten the
day a student came to class and told me: ‘We take your class. We learn to look at the world from a
critical standpoint, one that considers race, sex, and class. And we can’t enjoy life anymore.’ ” (Bell Hooks, 1994:42)
Key Elements in the
Definition of Sociology:
1. Discipline, systematic approach, scientific study:
Sociology uses methods.
2. Forces outside us, society, patterns of relationships among
individuals:
Sociology analyzes social forces.
3. Social groups, human behavior, our:
Sociology studies the human collective.
4. Liberating:
Sociology encourages understanding.
5. Social Change:
Sociology improves people’s lives.
In
the first issue of The American Journal of Sociology (1895), editor Albion
Small included promoting the general welfare as a goal of sociology. “Knowledge needed for social purposes shall
be combined and applied as a means for promoting welfare.”
Our Definition of Sociology:
Sociology
uses methods to study social forces that affect human behavior, and in so doing
encourages understanding and improves people’s lives.
Sociology Assumes:
1)
We
are social beings and that our potential can only be achieved in conjunction
with others.
·
The human experience is determined by the
qualities and nature of the relationships that exist.
2)
We
are socially determined although there are commonalities among us.
·
Although social determination is inescapable,
we do have some shared responses and desires.
3)
We
have an effect on the social structure within which we live and function.
(Human agency)
·
Methods for achieving a just and prosperous
society seek to create productive partnerships among people and institutions.