SY101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Symbolic Interactionism, Scientific Revolution, Conflict Theories

• School: WLU
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SY101
• Professor: Dana Sawchuk

Document Summary

Sociology: the systematic study of human behavior in social context. Functionalism: human behaviour is governed by social structures that are based mainly on shared values and that contribute to social stability. Social class: a position people occupy in a hierarchy that is shaped by economic criteria, including wealth and income. Conflict theory: focuses on how large social structures, such as the relations among classes, produce social stability in some circumstances and social change in others. Symbolic interactionism: examines how various aspects of social life, including fashion, convey meaning (subjective meanings) and assist or impede communication. Feminism: gender: one"s sense of being masculine or feminine as conventionally defined by society. Feminism: thought that claims that male domination and female subordination are determined not by biological necessity but by structures of power and social convention. Social imagination: quality of mind that enables one to see the connection between personal troubles and social structures.