SOCIOL 1Z03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Symbolic Interactionism, Macrosociology, Microsociology

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOCIOL 1Z03
• Professor: Lina Samuel

Document Summary

Sociology: the systematic study of human groups and their interactions. Sociological perspective: the unique way in which sociologists see our world and can dissect the dynamic relationships between individuals and the larger social network in which we all live. Macrosociology: attempting to understand society as a whole. Combine individuals and their experiences as well, not only studying through one lens. (marx, durkheim and weber) Microsociology: refers to attempting to understand individual or small group dynamics. (ie. studying a marriage bond, intimate interactions) (mead, cooley, and blumer) A philosopher, an economist, a political scientist, a historian, and a sociologist. Greatest contribution to sociology: his insight into the nature of human relationships. Believed that people were forced into competition with others due to the material changes brought about by the accumulation of wealth in early agricultural societys (situation led to conflict due to some people having more wealth than others) All human relationships in capitalist economies have power imbalances.