Sociology 3404F/G Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Organic Food, Protestantism, Industrial Revolution

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 3404F/G
• Professor: Michael Gardiner

Document Summary

Week 1 (sept. 9) - rise of social theory; elements of theory. Hechter & horne: problem of social order; what is theory. 1) positive = descriptive (what is") kuhn. 2) normative = prescriptive (should, ought); falsifiable (can be proven wrong) popper. 2) statistics are meaningless without theory (ex. Autism & organic food sales; capitalism & protestantism) Six sociological ideas about social rules: rules are enforced, rules come in many diverse forms, rules are not neutral (winners & losers, rules are backed by power, rules are often inconsistent, rules change over time. In social theory, society = unit of analysis; distinguish societies along various lines (i. e. secular/religious, capitalist/socialist, organic/mechanical) Essentially came during the enlightenment and industrial revolution. Capitalism = a sense of society that had different forms. 1) agency: aka methodological individualism; social phenomena explained in terms of the actions and motivations of individuals.