SOC 110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Social Fact, Postmodernism, Industrial Revolution

• School: University of Hartford
• Department: Sociology - A&S
• Course: SOC 110
• Professor: Horowitz

Document Summary

Sociology- the scientific study of human social life, groups, social structures, institutions, and societies. Some institutions decide what constitutes another institution: government, economy, religion, family. Sociology shows us that aspects of life we consider natural or take for granted are influenced by social and historical forces. Public issues indicate structural blame: these issues are experienced personally, but impacting many. Rules and expectations make up groups (institutions) that are sometimes fought to change expectations through social movements. Durkheim- aspects of social life shape individual action (social facts, or, institutions: people used to explain things with religion, but now we explain them with science, stable agricultural societies > shared worldview > organic solidarity. Stability comes from beliefs, rituals, and shared values: rapid change seen as problematic. Institutions have functions that when carried out well influence success in other institutions. Weber- culture and economics both influence social change. Martineau- translates comte"s work into english and studies women in sociology.