SOCI 350 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Collective Consciousness, Social Fact, Sui Generis
Document Summary
Friday sept. 11, 2015: what is theory. Used to explain, test, and produce concepts. Building knowledge: why learn sociological theory. Accounts of the world and shape how we engage in this world. Sets of propositions and generalizations that interpret and explain reality. Working explanations statements about the world. Theory exists in empirical world make accounts of what we see and test through own logic or observation. Lenses shape how we see the world, what questions we ask, tools we use to answer questions. Subject to academic critique, falsification, and reformation. Embedded in larger conversations and projects of knowledge. Multiple understandings of what sociological theory entails. How much are we actors and how much are we free moving. Metaphysical environment - general presuppositions (assumptions) vs construction observations. One of the founders of sociology (background wont be tested) Sought to uncover knowledge that could help put france in good path. Action guided by collective or cultural constraints.
