SOC 656 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Nomothetic, Structural Functionalism, Participant Observation

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 656
• Professor: Janna Eggebeen

Document Summary

Sociology is a soft science; uses subjective criteria rather than fixed and measurable inductive rather than deductive idiographic rather than nomothetic interpretive rather than causal. Nike sport research lab: hard sciences are also found in fashion. Adding things (clothes, modifications, jewelry, cosmetics) make us different than anything else. Social function of dress: about belonging and expectations of treatment communicating something we know who people are, status, rolls, professions. Review of sociological theory classical perspectives: structural functionalism conflict theory symbolic interactionism postmodern perspectives: feminism queer theory postcolonial theory. Key concepts: system - every individual in a society was called upon to play their roll to make sure society ran smoothly social cohesion - everybody belongs anomie - equilibrium - how it can be maintained. Conflict theory key concepts: power - world of limited resources, all social relationships are about power competition - power creates competition inequality - gender, sex, class, race, constant state of inequality alienation - inequality breeds alienation.