SOCI 230 : Sociology Study Guide.docx

• School: McGill University
• Department: Sociology (Arts)
• Course: SOCI 230
• Professor: Zoua Vang

Document Summary

Sociological definition of race: a group of human beings socially defined by itself, or others as distinct on the basis of common physical (and increasingly, cultural) characteristics that are held to be inherent. Entails aspects of skin colour, family origin, geography, genetic similarities, as well as a socially constructed tool used for categorization. We acquire our knowledge and opinions from our parents, environment, as well as history. Race as a biological difference (prevailed till the first half of the 20th c: polygenesis: belief that different races of humans categorize different species, this belief depicts white humans as the most superior species. Classifications of humans: 4 subcategories of homo-sapiens. 18th c humans only differ to a certain degree, but under the right conditions, this can be altered africans may be culturally (not biologically) inferior, and due to this there is potential for salvation. 19th c race as a type: differences in permanent and heritable physical and cultural traits, heirarchical rank-ordering.