A Brief Introduction to Classroom

Sociology Presentations?
Why can’t we do them?

HSP3C/3U Why won’t we do them?

Why won’t you try?

What is Sociology? What do Sociologists Typically Study?

• Ethnic Groups

• Sociology studies the development,

• Social Class

structure and functioning of human society

• Sociologists study how groups of people

• Gender roles

who share common characteristics function

• Criminology

• They focus on patterns of behaviour shared

• Deviance

by members of a particular group or society.

• Social Institutions
 Sociology and Anthropology What is the
Difference? A Brief History of Sociology
• Both examine a human condition
• Sociology began in the late 1800s

• Both attempt to investigate the “Big Picture”

• Spawn by the industrial revolution and the dramatic societal changes that
were associated with it (people moving from the country to urban centres)

• Both investigate the way society influences the lives of people

• Migration to cities led to problems (pollution, poverty, malnutrition,

• However, anthropologists study culture as a whole, whereas sociologists unemployment, crime)

study parts of a society.

• As a result, social unrest and disorder arose

• In other words, sociology studies various components that make up

culture (i.e. Institutions such as the family, religion or education) and the • The 1st sociologists studied these problems to help people understand
groups closely associated with these institutions and deal with these issues

Sociological Theories Functionalism

• There are 3 leading theoretical perspectives • Believes every structure in society has a vital function (the whole is made
in the field of sociology
up of parts such as family, economy, religion)

• Each perspective attempts to explain a

• Society seeks stability (after every upheaval society will return to a stable
situation from a certain point of view

or normal state)

• It is important to know that theories are

NOT facts, they are tools to conduct and
describe research evidence

• Most aspects of society contribute to it’s well-being/survival (families

contribute by reproducing and taking care of its members)

• Recall that sociologists attempt to define

patterns and trends by using one of the • Society works in a logical manner to protect most of its members (makes
following theories
laws and punishes those that break them)
 Conflict Perspective Symbolic Interactionism

• Believes society experiences inconsistency and change everywhere (i.e.

• Believe people have unique interpretations of symbols based on meanings
Technology is important - need it to learn to get ahead - but high tech is
they learn from others

not accessible to all - therefore poor cannot get ahead)

• All societies involve control and coercion of some members by others
(some people have power over others - and have the ability to constrain or
limit those with less power)
• People base their interaction with others on their interpretation of symbols
(i.e. Musical groups learn that people don’t like music they hear or the
performance if boos are heard)

Applying Sociological Theories You Task

Case #1

Juan and his family are living in poverty. Juan is the father of three children
• In groups of 3 or 4

and has been unemployed for 6 months. He recently lost his job because he
did’t have the skills to use the new computers at his workplace (and no
• Read over the case again

training was provided). He and his family do not even have enough money
for food. One day, Juan is so worried that his children will starve to death, he • Discuss the case and come up with perspectives of each of the three
Theories.
decided to steal some food from the local grocery store, is caught and sent
to prison for his actions.
 Functionalism Perspective

• Prisons are an institution and perform a function in society - contain

Functionalism Perspective individuals that break the law

• Juan (the head of the family) lost his job, resulting in the family entering an
unsteady state and therefore, does not function well in society

Conflict Theorist Perspective

Conflict Theorist Perspective • Those in power fired Juan, who was merely an employee

• Juan will continue to be powerless because he is poor and does not have
the funds to gain the necessary skills
 Symbolic Interactionism Perspective

Symbolic Interactionism • Juan perceives stealing as a vital need for his families survival and takes
food from the store

Perspective • Law enforcement perceives stealing as a crime, Juan is guilty and sent to
prison

Weekly Social Fitness

Challenge