INTRO TO WOSOCU M1 L1

Sociology

• deals with the study of groups

• derived from latin word “socius” & “logus”

• scientific study of patterns of human interaction / relations that deals with the study of group life.

• deals with the study of current issues and problems

• A body of scientific knowledge with theories based on scientific investigation rather than “Armchair speculation”.
  

socius

means groups or partners

logus

means science or study

armchair speculation

way of thinking / forming ideas without research / gathering data

3 kinds of sociological perspective

1. micro perspective

2. meso perspective

3. macro perspective

micro perspective

• focus on individuals / a person

• findings on differences of how individuals view the world

meso perspective

• focus on networks / connections

• influence on families, neighbors, friends

macro perspective

• focus on institutions, organizations

• the affect on people

sociological imagination mills

• how the personal decisions / problems are influenced by multiple & uncontrollable factors.

• clarifies a distinction between public issues and personal troubles.

• personal troubles: can be solved by individual themselves

• public issues: need outside intervention to be solved

culture

• term by social scientists to encompass all facets of human experience

• way we understand ourselves as individuals and members of society

• comprises of beliefs, rituals, art forms, ceremonies, practices such as language, gossip, stories, etc.

culture in terms of the following:

1. cultured person: level of an individual

2. society: understanding culture as part of a community / society

3. global society: humanity as a whole

2 types of culture

1. material culture: the tangible aspects like tools, objects, resources and space people use to define their culture

2. non material culture: intangible such as ideas, values, rules and morals people have about their culture.

other types / level of culture

1. high culture: the rich / burgis

2. popular culture: the trends / sikat

3. abroginal culture: holistic / indigenous community

public culture

• shared ideas / objects that are out in the open that influence how people interact with each other

• ex: hug culture in UST

personal culture

• the ones you have as an individual

• acquire from experiences & interaction

• ex: friendship formation

cultural relativism

to understand one’s culture before making judgements

elements that influence human behavior

1. agentic explanations:

   • power to determine their own fate

   • personal choices, actions, responsibility

2. structural explanations:

   • how social structures limit / constrain individuals