...means of the changes and the subsequent consequences for the individuals and society. These classics generated the basis for the typical sociological type of thinking; seeing the connections between major changes in society and the individual acts and living conditions. In short term - sociology is both the study of individuals and the society as a whole. As a newcomer to the special field of sociology, I find the term of sociological imagination as the most applicable and understandable term to understand the complex and broad field of sociology. Thereby i state my thesis: Is social imagination the best and simplest way to understand the field of sociology? Sociological imagination was coined by C. Wright Mills (1959) as the process of linking individual biographies to the larger social contexts. By this perspective one can say that the sociological imagination can help explain humans and society by seeing "the human in society and the society within humans". According to Peter Berger this connection can be portrayed by thinking that: "Every individual biography is an episode within the history of society" (Berger 1967; 3). "Society is a dialectic phenomenon in that it is a human product, and nothing but a human product, that yet continuously acts back upon its producer" (Berger 1967; 3). By this Berger puts in words the common sociological notion that society is human made (as for the term itself), and how all humans are a part of their own...
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...dynamics, of social institutions, and of cultural meanings. It allows us to see personal events and meanings as affected by historical forces and to see how historical events may be shaped by personal choices. WEEK 1 - TOPIC 1: SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL GROUPS Objectives Discuss the social construction of reality. Distinguish between sociological perspectives. Develop a sociological imagination. Identify components of social groups and organizations. Materials Readings for Week One: EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 1 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 3 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 5 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 12 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. ARTICLE: Week One Electronic Reserve Readings Assessment Individual Assignment: Social Group Worksheet Martix Resource: Social Group Worksheet Matrix Complete the Social Group Worksheet using your sociological imagination to identify and describe the relationship between yourself and the other members of any social group of your choice. Submit the Social Group Worksheet Matrix. Social Group Matrix Refer to your course syllabus for additional instructions on individual and learning team assignments. WEEK 2 - TOPIC 1: SCIENCE OF SOCIOLOGY Objectives Apply the steps of the scientific method. Compare major research designs. Explain ethical issues in sociological research. Materials Readings for Week Two: EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 2 of Sociology:...
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...the causes and consequences of social change. (Editorial Board, 2012) “According to sociologist, C. Wright Mills, people often believe that their private lives can only be explained in terms of their personal successes and failures. They fail to see the links between their own individual lives and the society around them. The process of interpreting your individual life in the context of your community or the society in which you live is called sociological imagination.” (Editorial Board, 2012) This paper will attempt to explore the sociological imagination of how being homeless has an impact on more than just the individual experiencing the hardship and establish how several groups are affected as well. Homelessness: The Broader Issue of Poverty Studies of homelessness are confronted with many conceptual and methodological challenges. Homelessness is a social construction that classifies diverse circumstances and individuals under a convenient description. According to the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements 1996 Report. Homelessness is a world-wide phenomenon. An estimated number is anything from 100 million (no shelter at all) to one billion or more (temporary – shelter or squatting) depending on homeless classification. (United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, 1996:229) When trying to understand the broader issue of homelessness and the impact poverty has on Society it is imperative to use your sociological imagination. When a person becomes homeless...
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...is tied to structural inequalities and the unequal distribution of resources; it’s a social problem (1). Poverty and homelessness are difficult to escape because a person’s individual choices and chances are restricted. The issue resides with social structures and the elite because they fail to address the factors that cause these individuals social distress. The Ontario Women’s Justice Network insists that “governments should attempt to address and solve the root problems of poverty and homelessness; it’s doing the opposite by criminalizing it instead; those that beg,...
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...experiences of our lives are part of group dynamics, of social institutions, and of cultural meanings. It allows us to see personal events and meanings as affected by historical forces and to see how historical events may be shaped by personal choices. Week 1 - Topic 1: Sociology and Social Groups Objectives Discuss the social construction of reality. Distinguish between sociological perspectives. Develop a sociological imagination. Identify components of social groups and organizations. Materials Readings for Week One EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 1 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 3 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 5 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 12 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. ARTICLE: Week One Electronic Reserve Readings Assessment Individual Assignment: Social Group Worksheet Martix Resource: Social Group Worksheet Matrix Complete the Social Group Worksheet using your sociological imagination to identify and describe the relationship between yourself and the other members of any social group of your choice. Submit the Social Group Worksheet Matrix. Social Group Matrix Refer to your course syllabus for additional instructions on individual and learning team assignments. Week 2 - Topic 1: Science of Sociology Objectives Apply the steps of the scientific method. Compare major research designs. Explain ethical issues in sociological research. Materials Readings for Week Two EBOOK...
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...Reflective Writing Assignment 1,750 words 40% 1 2/17/2016 Topics for Today • A sociological approach and the sociological imagination • Biomedical model • Globalisation and health After this session you will be able to..... Explain basic features of a sociological approach to health and illness Describe the key characteristics of the biomedical model Define some of the key concepts that inform a sociological approach to health and illness Consider the value of a sociological approach to health and illness for health workers. Let’s start with some questions … o Why do people stop taking antibiotics before they have finished the packet? o Why do people smoke even when they know its unhealthy? o Why are women more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men? o Why are poor people sicker than rich people? o Why do people seek complementary and alternative remedies rather than going to the doctor? o Why do migrants to Australia have more accidents at work? o Why is there a 15‐20 year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians? 2 2/17/2016 What is sociology? “The study of society” Links between individual lives & social forces Systematic patterns in groups of people – Behaviour – Meanings – Beliefs How do aspects of social life influence others? How does the distribution of power affect social life? Sociology offers: A ‘second opinion’ about common sense ideas...
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...Social Construction of Reality: Meaning- What you know to be real is real because you were taught to believe it. 1. Social Psychology 2. Symbolist Interactionism Scientific Methods: 1. Observation 2. Generalization 3. Interpretation 4. Prediction Science: 1. Systematic Observation 2. Measurement Sociological Perspective: 1. Questions can be answered through observation Natural Science vs. Social Science: 1. Natural Science= Biology/ Hard Science 2. Social Science= Psychology/ Soft Science Theory: 1. A set of ideas used to explain cause and effect. Reactivity or the Hawthorn Effect: 1. If you know someone is watching you, you will always act differently. Sociological Imagination: By C. Wright Mills 1. We as researchers need to use our imagination to come up with creative ways to study human behavior. Institution: 1. An excepted way of doing things 5 Major Social Institutions: 1. Family 2. Religion 3. Healthcare 4. Economics 5. Education Founders of Sociology: 1. August Comte- Positive thinker - Comedern Sociology - Social Force - Social Statics- The force of cooperation and cohesion (Togetherness) - Social Dynamics- The forces of conflict and change Karl Marx: - Negative thinker father of communism Communism- There is no rich and no poor everyone is equal 1. 1800’s Germany 2. Industrial Revolution 3. Father of Communism 4. Wrote the communist manifesto along with Frederick Engles 5. Father of conflict theory - Rich...
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...The Sociological Imagination Chapter One: The Promise C. Wright Mills (1959) Nowadays people often feel that their private lives are a series of traps. They sense that within their everyday worlds, they cannot overcome their troubles, and in this feeling, they are often quite correct. What ordinary people are directly aware of and what they try to do are bounded by the private orbits in which they live; their visions and their powers are limited to the close-up scenes of job, family, neighborhood; in other milieux, they move vicariously and remain spectators. And the more aware they become, however vaguely, of ambitions and of threats which transcend their immediate locales, the more trapped they seem to feel. Underlying this sense of being trapped are seemingly impersonal changes in the very structure of continent-wide societies. The facts of contemporary history are also facts about the success and the failure of individual men and women. When a society is industrialized, a peasant becomes a worker; a feudal lord is liquidated or becomes a businessman. When classes rise or fall, a person is employed or unemployed; when the rate of investment goes up or down, a person takes new heart or goes broke. When wars happen, an insurance salesperson becomes a rocket launcher; a store clerk, a radar operator; a wife or husband lives alone; a child grows up without a parent. Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both. Yet...
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...society as a whole. The sociological imagination gives us the ability to understand the correlation of one's biography, history, and traditions along with the knowledge of the social and historical impact and/or influence society may have on that person or group of people. Mills' notion compels us to investigate into an individual's biography and lifestyles, and place their findings within the surrounding circumstances in which events occur in order to perceive the whole picture of the society in which the individual lives. Mills says to understand this "imagination" would be to see the connection between personal troubles and public issues. Personal troubles meaning, problems that are felt personally which are caused by occurrences or feelings in an individual's life; and public issues meaning, issues that affect a group or mass of people with their roots interwoven within an organization or institution and history of a society. A person can become homeless for many reasons: a family member throws them out of their home because they do not contribute financially, or they become incapable of caring for themselves due to mental illness, or they become addicted to drugs and lose their home trying to support their habit. These are a few examples of personal troubles which most would think are brought about by the individual alone and therefore can be solved by them. But, when using sociological imagination, one can see that homelessness is also a social problem. Unemployment rates...
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...Lecture #1: Defining Sociology and Using our Sociological Tools; Please read Ch. 1 Hello everyone and welcome to the start of what will hopefully be a wonderful semester. This semester we will be examining and analyzing science and technology using a sociological discipline. In the beginning of every lecture I will introduce the vocabulary. These words will be significant for the lecture, so put them to memory because you just might see them later, wink, wink, and wink. Vocabulary: Sociology: The systematic study of human societies. It is the scientific study of human social life, behavior, groups, culture and societies. Culture: A way of life including widespread values (about what is good and bad), beliefs (about what is true), and behavior (what people do every day). Social Problems: A condition that undermines the well-being of some or all members of a society and that are usually a matter of public controversy. Sociological Imagination: Is the quality of mind that enables one to see the connection between personal troubles and social structures. Theory: A statement of how and why specific facts are related. Structural-Functional: A theoretical framework that sees society as a system of many interrelated parts. Social-Conflict: A theoretical framework that sees society as divided by inequality and conflict. Symbolic-Interaction: A theoretical framework that sees society as the product of individuals interacting with one another. Technology: the practical use...
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...The Sociological Imagination Chapter One: The Promise C. Wright Mills (1959) Nowadays people often feel that their private lives are a series of traps. They sense that within their everyday worlds, they cannot overcome their troubles, and in this feeling, they are often quite correct. What ordinary people are directly aware of and what they try to do are bounded by the private orbits in which they live; their visions and their powers are limited to the close-up scenes of job, family, neighborhood; in other milieux, they move vicariously and remain spectators. And the more aware they become, however vaguely, of ambitions and of threats which transcend their immediate locales, the more trapped they seem to feel. Underlying this sense of being trapped are seemingly impersonal changes in the very structure of continent-wide societies. The facts of contemporary history are also facts about the success and the failure of individual men and women. When a society is industrialized, a peasant becomes a worker; a feudal lord is liquidated or becomes a businessman. When classes rise or fall, a person is employed or unemployed; when the rate of investment goes up or down, a person takes new heart or goes broke. When wars happen, an insurance salesperson becomes a rocket launcher; a store clerk, a radar operator; a wife or husband lives alone; a child grows up without a parent. Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both...
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...importance of the sociological perspective? | It opens a window to unfamiliar worlds and offers a fresh look at familiar worlds. | | It verifies our basic assumptions about life and the need to focus on human needs. | | It challenges cultural tradition to provide a new framework of human understanding. | | It enforces social solidarity and expands the importance of the social imperative. | 1 out of 1 Correct!! 2 of 20 The event that most inspired Auguste Comte to pose the question, "What holds society together?" and begin developing sociology as a science was the ________. | industrialization of society | | discovery of the new world by Christopher Columbus | | development of the psychoanalytic approach | | French Revolution | 1 out of 1 Correct!! Question 3 of 20 Based on the theories formulated by Karl Marx, what was the ultimate goal of the proletariat? | The proletariat sought to establish a democratic society and independence. | | The proletariat wanted to develop a society with a strong middle class. | | The proletariat sought to develop a classless society free of exploitation. | | The proletariat wanted to establish capitalism and a higher standard of living for all. | 1 out of 1 Correct!! 4 of 20 What sociological phrase is used to describe "opening a window onto unfamiliar worlds and offering a fresh look at familiar worlds?" | The sociological perspective | | The social imperative | | Social integration...
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...Sociology 102: Contemporary Social Issues 19 November 2013 Divided by Faith: Evangelicals and Race The issue of race has been one of the largest and most ever-present societal problems in America, dating back to the nation’s founding. As race is a social construction, the issue has adapted and changed vastly over the last two-hundred years, yet still remains extremely prevalent in society today. In Divided by Faith, authors Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith delve into the issue of race in the present day United States. Specifically, the authors target Protestant Evangelism and how white Evangelical principles have exacerbated, and continue to exacerbate the racial divide in America. Through in-depth field research, involving over 200 phone and face-to-face interviews with Evangelicals and people of color, Emerson and Smith were able to tackle and analyze an issue that had gone essentially unheard-of. The book as whole, especially the interview process, enlightened me to a problem that I, as well as many others, had never thought about before. The authors analyze the racial divide by discussing how Protestants view the issue of race. While these Evangelicals actively try to break the divide, their core principles and values do the opposite. Before reading the book, I knew many Christians who work to reach out to people of color, but I had never thought about how the way they went about it held them back. The thing that most interested me was looking at the issue on an...
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...(1575)An Analysis of Non-Usefulness of Post-Modernity and the Importance of “Critical Thinking” in the Humanities This sociological study will define the non-usefulness of “post-modernism” as a threat to the scientific foundations of modernism in the lack of “critical thinking” in the humanities. The premise of modernism is defined by the notion of human “progress” through a deterministic and scientific view of the humanity into higher functionality of civilized society. In contrast to this objective view of human progress, post-modernism has created various subjective assumptions about western civilization, which form academic opinions that are not based on objective reality. Latour’s (2004) examination of the “hermeneutics of suspicion”...
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...2/18/15 DATE Social Science/Education DIVISION x REQUIRED COURSE NEW COURSE X ELECTIVE COURSE x REVISION LAKE LAND COLLEGE Course Information Form COURSE NUMBER SOC280 TITLE Introduction to Sociology SEM CR HRS 3 LT HRS 3 LAB HRS SOE HRS ECH COURSE PCS # (Assigned by Administration) PREREQUISITES: None Catalog Description (40 Word Limit): Study of human interaction focusing on social influences shaping personality, structure and dynamics of human society. Topics include: sociological perspective, culture, society, social interaction; social change in global perspective; socialization; families; social class; and social stratification; race and ethnicity; and deviance. | | |CONTENT LECTURE LAB OUTLINE | |HOURS HOURS | Study of Sociology (What is Sociology, Methods) 5 Individual and Society (Culture, Socialization, Social Interaction, Groups, Networks, Organization, Conformity and Deviance) 10 Stratification (Class, Global, Gender, Racial and Ethnic, Aging) 15 Social Institutions...
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