For study

Attendance and Course Introduction

• Attendance was taken, and students introduced themselves by name, allowing for an initial community-building exercise among classmates.

• The instructor provided a comprehensive overview of the course structure, outlining the main themes, objectives, and expectations to set the stage for a successful learning experience.

Course Assignments

• Weekly Assignment: Each week, students are required to submit a one-page paper that is typed, double-spaced, and clearly written. Handwritten submissions will not be accepted, emphasizing the importance of clarity and professionalism in academic writing.

• Paper Components:

  • Each paper must include a relevant quote drawn from that week's textbook readings, demonstrating engagement with the course material.

  • Students should provide a personal comment or opinion about the chosen quote, reflecting on their understanding and interpretation of the material.

  • A question related to the week’s content is also required, promoting critical thinking and encouraging dialogue within the class.

• This weekly assignment accounts for 30% of the overall course grade, underscoring its importance in demonstrating students’ grasp of the material.

Evaluations and Grades

• Students are strongly encouraged to keep up with readings and assignments, as this is crucial for attaining good grades and fully understanding course content.

• The multiple-choice exams presented in this course tend to be challenging for students, with past averages falling below expectations, indicating a need for more thorough preparation.

Course Content Overview

• The course provides a broad overview of key themes in sociology, exploring the following topics on a weekly basis:

  • Culture: Understanding cultural norms, values, and practices.

  • Social Mobility and Inequality: Analyzing the factors that promote or hinder movement within social strata.

  • Crime: Examining the social constructs surrounding crime and societal responses.

  • Deviance: Discussing behaviors that are viewed as deviating from societal norms.

  • Family and Race Issues: Investigating how family structures and racial dynamics influence individual experiences.

• Students should be aware that certain topics, such as urban sociology and work/occupations, may not be explored in depth due to time constraints, emphasizing the vastness of the field.

Required Textbook

• Questions regarding the required textbook were addressed; it is available for purchase at the campus bookstore.

• The relevant chapters for this course include: 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 13, which encompass foundational theories and critical concepts in sociology.

Learning Methodology

• It is important to note that the course will not utilize an online learning management system (BIU Learn); all materials will be distributed and discussed during class time.

• This approach is designed to facilitate engagement, encourage collaboration, and reinforce learning through direct interaction with peers and the instructor.

The Importance of Sociology

• Sociology is defined as a social science that focuses on the intricate nature of society, its structures, and the relationships within it.

• The discipline aims to comprehend the social forces and relationships that shape individual lives and communities, promoting a deeper understanding of human behavior in a societal context.

Understanding Sociological Perspectives

• The sociological imagination is a critical concept that involves recognizing personal experiences as influenced by broader societal structures and forces.

• Key theorists that are fundamental to sociology include:

  • Karl Marx: Known for his focus on class struggle and the impact of societal change driven by conflict, Marx's work continues to resonate in analyses of power dynamics.

  • Max Weber: Emphasized the importance of understanding multiple causes behind social phenomena, along with the crucial role of ideas, values, and beliefs in shaping society.

  • Émile Durkheim: Explored social facts and their influence on individual behaviors, promoting an understanding of the collective consciousness.

Social Science Methodology

• Sociology employs various research methodologies to examine social phenomena:

  • Statistical Data Analysis: Leveraging quantitative data to identify trends and patterns.

  • Observational Studies: Engaging in direct observation to gather qualitative insights.

  • Qualitative Research Techniques: Utilizing interviews, focus groups, and case studies to explore social phenomena in depth.

• Sociologists strive for reliable and valid findings that accurately reflect the social world, underscoring the importance of rigorous research practices.

Challenges and Misconceptions in Sociology

• Misunderstandings about sociology’s validity and importance persist, often fueled by anti-scientific sentiments and oversimplified views of societal issues.

• The course will stress the significance of sound data in informing policy-making and elucidating complex societal problems, enhancing students' appreciation for empirical research in sociology.

Course Goals

• Students are encouraged to think critically, challenge their preconceptions, and engage deeply with sociological materials, fostering a learning environment rich in discussion and exploration.

• The course aims to build a solid foundational understanding of how sociological concepts are applicable to real-world contexts, preparing students for practical applications in various fields.

Conclusion of the Class

• Looking ahead, next week's focus will be on the concept of culture.

• Students are kindly reminded to read the corresponding chapter and prepare their papers in advance of the next class, ensuring they are fully equipped to contribute to discussions.

Introduction to Abstraction and Language

• Abstraction: The first form of abstraction recognized is language.

  • Example: Hitting someone on the head would have a painful impact, but the word itself does not convey that direct experience of pain. Language functions as an abstraction, detaching from direct experiences and existing primarily within our cognitive understanding.

Cultural Language and Context

• Language is profoundly interconnected with culture and serves as a representation of different interpretative frameworks for experiences.

  • Jurgen Habermas posits that culture is composed of language and law.

  • Each subculture maintains its unique language, illustrating shared meanings and collective understandings among its members.

    • Example: The term "Blue thermal" denotes a specific type of thermal clothing relevant primarily to pilots.

Power Dynamics and Culture

• Language and culture are reflections of the power dynamics embedded within society.

  • Dominant cultures may wield control and exert power by maintaining exclusivity in language and normative values.

  • Variations in language can delineate cultural boundaries, thereby marking distinctions along the social class spectrum.

    • Example: The phrase "hair with dinner jacket" is linked to class differences and conveys distinctions in clothing and social settings.

Sociological Insights on Culture

• Bourdieu's Concepts: In his work "Distinction", Bourdieu elaborates on the differences in culture across social classes, emphasizing that certain cultural knowledge necessitates effort and exclusivity to attain.

• Cultural Distinction: Various cultural practices, such as those prominent in elite social settings, serve to maintain barriers between classes.

• Social Class and Culture: Distinct cultural practices and symbolic representations exist among different social classes, reflecting broader societal dynamics.

The Role of Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism

• Ethnocentrism: This is the belief that one should evaluate other cultures solely through the lens of one’s own cultural standards.

• Cultural Relativism: This perspective recognizes and respects cultural differences without imposing one’s own values; however, it can present challenges if it leads to moral neutrality concerning harmful practices.

Cultural Spaces and Interaction

• Cultural Proximity: The preference for physical proximity in interactions varies significantly across cultures, influencing social norms regarding personal space.

  • Examples of Differences: Canadians generally exhibit a preference for more personal space when compared to cultures that favor physical closeness in conversational contexts.

Multiculturalism and Social Policy

• Canada's Multiculturalism Policy: This policy serves as a reflection of Canada's diverse ethnic landscape and plays a vital role in shaping the country’s future.

  • Multiculturalism advocates for the preservation of various cultural heritages under the umbrella of a unified national identity.

Lessons from Joint Cultures

• Different nations, such as Canada and the U.S., adopt unique perspectives on national identity, cultural expressions, and the symbolism associated with patriotism.

  • Canadians tend to exhibit less overt nationalism in contrast to Americans.

Impact of Historical Events on Culture

• Historical events in Canada have significantly influenced the collective identity, establishing cultural norms that stand in stark contrast to those typically found in the U.S.

  • Examples of Formative Events: Certain pivotal moments in Canadian history have guided the development of a distinct cultural framework.

Individualism vs. Collectivism in Culture

• Canadian culture tends to lean towards collectivism, prioritizing cooperation over the individualism commonly observed in the U.S.

  • Canadians are generally skeptical of flamboyant forms of leadership, favoring approaches that are community-oriented.

Conclusion and Reflection

• The intricate nature of cultural elements underscores their impact on societal relationships, illustrating that culture fundamentally shapes human experiences.

• Culture influences individuals' perceptions, lifestyles, and interpersonal interactions, manifesting in various social practices and belief systems.

Ethnocentrism and Fascism

Ethnocentrism

• Ethnocentrism is defined as the belief in the superiority of one's own culture while viewing others as inferior. This perspective often leads to a lack of understanding and appreciation for the customs, practices, and values of other cultures.

• It manifests itself in various social interactions, influencing attitudes towards immigration, multiculturalism, and international relations.

• It fosters a sense of belonging within the dominant culture but can lead to cultural insularity and prejudice against outsiders.

Fascism

• Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology that is closely linked to ethnocentrism, emphasizing the idea of cultural and national supremacy.

• It posits that a homogeneous nation is superior, promoting the belief in the perfection of one’s own country while depicting others as inferior and often dangerous.

• Historically, fascism has justified its policies through extreme nationalism, militarism, and the subjugation of minority groups.

Historical Context

• The rise of fascism in the 20th century, particularly in Germany and Italy, was rooted in social and economic unrest following World War I.

• Germany emerged as a unified state in the 19th century, and the dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles created fertile ground for fascist ideologies.

• In Italy, Mussolini's regime promoted an aggressive stance on ethnic superiority, while ignoring pressing social issues such as poverty and unemployment.

• The term 'fascism' is derived from the 'fasces,' an ancient Roman symbol representing authority and unity, which was appropriated by totalitarian regimes.

Intolerance and Racial Supremacy

• Fascism employed scapegoating mechanisms to rationalize hatred towards minority groups, including Jews, Slavs, and others deemed undesirable. This strategy often positioned these groups as villains in the narrative of national decline.

• Ideologies surrounding 'living space' (Lebensraum) fostered a belief in the need for expanding territories, leading to systematic dehumanization and brutal policies against Slavic peoples for labor exploitation.

• The mentality of scarcity during World War II encouraged extreme measures, such as genocide and ethnic cleansing, as states sought to secure resources and eliminate perceived threats to their national integrity.

United Nations and Human Rights

• The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights marked a revolutionary shift acknowledging universal rights, representing a collective response to the atrocities of World War II.

• This declaration laid the groundwork for numerous social movements in the 1960s and beyond, advocating for equality, decolonization, and the fight against systemic oppression worldwide.

• The rights revolution was fundamentally rooted in Enlightenment ideals, which emerged from liberal thought in Western Europe, emphasizing individual rights and freedoms.

Decolonization and Rights Movement

• The post-World War II context encapsulated liberation wars across former colonies, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, highlighting the global struggle against colonialism and imperialism.

• Civil rights movements globally addressed historical injustices, advocating for marginalized groups while seeking political and social equality.

Historical Trauma and Intergenerational Effects

• An emerging understanding of historical trauma centers on how collective suffering impacts descendants of marginalized groups, leading to the perpetuation of cycles of oppression.

• Early studies on trauma mainly identified with indigenous populations but broadened to encompass communities impacted by conflicts and violence.

Intergenerational Trauma Research

• Initial studies focused on the experiences of Holocaust survivors revealed how trauma could be transmitted to subsequent generations, affecting their mental health and identity.

• This understanding emphasizes the collective experience of trauma rather than viewing it through a solely individual lens, highlighting the common themes of starvation, forced displacement, and wartime atrocities experienced by affected families.

Cultural Authenticity and Change

• The authenticity of culture is a subjective concept, relying on the meanings and values ascribed by its people, rather than adhering to external perceptions of what is considered authentic.

• Cultures are dynamic; they evolve through interactions, whether by adopting practices from others, reinterpreting traditions, or blending distinct cultural elements.

The Role of Consumerism in Culture

• In contemporary society, consumer culture plays a significant role in shaping personal identities and notions of belonging.

• The meaning of consumer products, such as clothing, is often intertwined with subcultures and identity politics, where choices reflect individual values and affiliations.

Subcultures and Countercultures

• Subcultures are distinct groups within larger cultures characterized by unique values, beliefs, and practices, often emerging from ethnic, class-based, or social distinctions.

• Countercultures actively oppose the dominant cultural norms, exemplified by movements such as the hippie culture of the 1960s, which sought social and political change through alternative lifestyles and values.

Change in Political and Social Values

• A noticeable decline in trust towards traditional authority figures across politics, journalism, and medicine has emerged, accompanied by increasing skepticism of established knowledge.

• This environment has given rise to misinformed public discourse, where conspiracy theories and alternative facts flourish, thereby undermining societal cohesion.

Modern Media and Impact on Society

• The evolution of media has dramatically transformed information dissemination and consumption, often lacking accountability and rigorous fact-checking.

• The rise of social media platforms has created echo chambers that can polarize communities and facilitate radicalization, influencing political and social movements.

The Concept of Modernism vs. Postmodernism

• Modernism is characterized by an emphasis on progress, science, and rational thought, promoting a belief in linear development and objective truths.

• In contrast, postmodernism challenges the notion of universal truths, endorsing relativism and embracing a spectrum of diverse cultural perspectives.

Understanding Culture

Culture is everything that surrounds and influences human thought and behavior, encompassing the shared practices, values, and artifacts of a group of individuals. This concept extends beyond mere traditions or customs, as it includes historical contexts, linguistic expressions, and even the physical environment that shapes interactions. Humans are frequently compared to purpose-built hardware, suggesting that cultural aspects significantly shape how they think, perceive their world, and interact with their environment, influencing social relationships and personal choices.

Material Culture

Material culture comprises the tangible products created from cultural experiences, such as art, clothing, architecture, and technology. These objects not only serve utilitarian purposes but also convey meaning and identity, acting as symbols of cultural heritage and diversity. The study of material culture helps us understand how societies evolve, adapt, and express their values over time.

High Culture vs. Popular Culture

High culture refers to finer cultural consumption associated with individuals who can cultivate expertise and develop sophisticated tastes, typically observed in the arts, classical music, and elite literature. This connectivity can create what is termed cultural capital, a concept originally proposed by Pierre Bourdieu. Cultural capital is a non-financial social asset that can promote social mobility, but it varies among different social groups and subcultures, often influenced by socialization processes and economic status.

Cultural Capital

Cultural capital is situational, meaning its significance can shift depending on the context and the audience. For example, a particular taste in opera might be considered high culture in one setting but viewed as elitist in another. Understanding cultural capital requires examining the nuances of power dynamics within societal structures.

Socialization and Identity

Socialization is the process through which individuals learn their culture and develop their identities, which are influenced by numerous factors.

• Primary Socialization: Occurs in childhood, primarily through family and early educational institutions, where foundational social norms and values are absorbed. This foundational stage shapes people's initial perspectives of the world around them.

• Secondary Socialization: Takes place later in life, involving interactions outside of familial structures, such as peer groups, workplaces, and community organizations. It is during this stage that individuals refine their identities and navigate varied social roles.

Biological Determinism

Aspects of human identity are influenced by biology, including gender, physical characteristics, and certain predispositions. Gender is defined by social meanings associated with biological differences, with chromosome makeup being a crucial factor. However, the role of biology in identity formation can spark debates, particularly in discussions about gender fluidity and social constructs.

Biological Components

Biological components also encompass aspects such as stature, race, and susceptibility to diseases, all of which impact individual identity and experiences. The interplay between biological determinism and cultural identity can lead to significant societal implications, like systemic inequality.

Intersection of Biology and Identity

Despite biological influences, cultural interpretations can diverge significantly. Societal views can diminish the importance of biological identities like skin color or gender, aiming for equality and challenging stereotypes. This divergence can create tension, as individuals may face identity crises when biological limitations conflict with their aspirations or personal identities.

Case Study: Academic Aspirations

A personal example illustrates the challenges faced by individuals struggling to meet societal expectations based on their self-identified roles: A student believed she would succeed in entering law school but faced deterministic barriers concerning her intellectual capabilities. This highlights how both societal expectations and internalized beliefs can shape aspirations and outcomes.

The Role of Agency

Agency refers to individual capacity to make choices within societal constraints, suggesting that while social structures exert pressure, individuals can exert influence over their life paths. This capacity for agency is heavily influenced by social institutions like family and education, which can either empower or restrict personal growth and aspirations.

Mechanisms of Socialization

Social agents include family, peers, schools, and mass media, each responsible for shaping individual identities in various contexts:

• Family: Behavioral expectations, hygiene training, and basic social skills are instilled through familial interactions.

• Peers: Shared societal characteristics foster group identities, influencing dress, language, and behaviors that can either challenge or conform to cultural norms.

• Community and Education: Represent broad socialization opportunities, introducing youth to diverse cultures and perspectives outside their immediate environments.

Contextual Identity

Multiple social roles can coexist within different contexts (e.g., home vs. school), creating nuanced self-perceptions. The looking-glass self, as proposed by Charles Cooley, describes how individuals form self-identities based on their perceptions of how others view them. This reflective process emphasizes the importance of social feedback in identity formation.

Changes in Youth Behavior

Trends indicate changing behaviors among young men and adolescents, significantly influenced by both gender-specific learning differences and evolving societal expectations. Risk-taking behaviors in adolescence have evolved, with heightened institutional constraints limiting traditional forms of risky play, reflecting broader cultural shifts in attitudes regarding safety, mental health, and development.

Cultural Polarization

The dichotomy between urban and rural youth highlights contrasting cultural norms and values. Rural areas may embody homogeneous cultural characteristics that emphasize tradition and community values, whereas urban centers feature diverse interactions that foster varied identities and perspectives, creating a dynamic cultural landscape.

Mass Media Influence

Mass media plays a pivotal role in depicting societal standards and norms, exerting significant socialization pressure and shaping cultural perceptions. Recent trends in media consumption are stratified, resulting in reduced uniform experiences that were once prevalent in earlier broadcasting formats. This stratification reflects broader societal changes and the fragmentation of cultural experiences.

Socialization and Gender Performance

The educational system's evolving approach has notably benefitted female students while challenging male academic success due to differing engagement styles. As social institutions adapt to better serve the needs of diverse learners, it is observed that boys may have more challenging experiences, indicating that the traditional approaches to education may need to be reevaluated.

Resocialization Processes

Resocialization can be voluntary or involuntary:

• Voluntary Resocialization: Individuals actively seek to adopt new identities, such as those who undergo training for personal or professional development, including public speaking or therapeutic techniques.

• Involuntary Resocialization: This occurs when socialization imposed by external institutions, such as military training or incarceration, forcibly alters an individual's identity and sense of self.

Conclusion

Cultural influences are deeply ingrained and multifaceted, shaping identities through a complex interplay between biology, social structures, and individual agency. The significance of social contexts in forming one's identity emphasizes the ongoing struggle to balance personal aspirations with societal expectations, illustrating how culture both defines and diversifies human experiences.

Physiological Maladaptation and Cultural Adaptation

• Physiological maladaptation: Individuals who do not biologically adapt well to their environment may experience challenges in survival and reproduction but do not necessarily die off. This phenomenon allows them to pass on their genes to subsequent generations, despite not being ideally suited to their surroundings. This can result in traits that may be less advantageous in a changing environment becoming part of the gene pool.

• Cultural adaptation: Humanity's progression relies significantly on cultural adaptations that supplement biological evolution. These adaptations are especially facilitated by medical interventions, such as vaccinations and drug therapies, which enhance public health and allow people to thrive despite potential genetic vulnerabilities. Cultural practices, including healthcare access and education, play vital roles in shaping health outcomes and societal success.

Eugenics

• Definition: Eugenics is a set of beliefs and practices aimed at improving the genetic quality of a human population by influencing reproductive practices. This often involves coercive measures such as sterilization, particularly targeting those deemed 'unfit,' based on arbitrary criteria that can include race, disability, and socioeconomic status.

• Historical context: The eugenics movement gained traction in the early 20th century, peaking around World War II when its principles were adopted by various political ideologies, both on the left and the right. This period saw state-sponsored programs of involuntary sterilization primarily in Western countries, justified under the guise of public health and social improvement.

• Noteworthy operations: Historical examples include the involuntary sterilization of marginalized groups, such as Aboriginal women in North America and individuals with disabilities across many countries. These actions reflect deep-rooted systemic biases and have had lasting impacts on these communities.

• Gender considerations: A significant aspect of the eugenics movement was its disproportionate impact on women, as they often faced the majority of sterilization practices. This highlights a critical examination of gender power dynamics, where societal control over women's reproductive choices was prevalent.

Cultural Influences on Evolution

• Human evolution is heavily influenced by cultural norms and values, particularly regarding marriage practices and societal acceptance. These cultural practices dictate mating patterns, significantly impacting gene pools over generations.

• Exogamy vs. Endogamy: Exogamy, or marrying outside one’s social group, versus endogamy, marrying within a specific group, showcases how culture influences genetic diversity. Historical examples, such as royal families engaging in close-kin marriages, have been tied to increased rates of genetic defects due to limited genetic mixing.

• Social perceptions: Individuals with perceived defects or differences often face societal pressures that can inhibit the formation of romantic relationships, demonstrating how social stigmas influence breeding and genetic diversity.

Technology and Identity Formation

• The rise of social networks has transformed the way individuals form and explore their identities, free from the traditional constraints of geographical communities. These platforms allow for greater self-expression and connection among like-minded individuals.

• Positive impacts: Online communities can provide essential support and validation for marginalized groups, such as LGBTQ+ individuals, contributing to decreased rates of mental health crises and suicides by fostering inclusive environments.

• Negative impacts: Conversely, the anonymity of the internet can foster disinhibition, leading to toxic behaviors ranging from trolling to racist and sexist attacks. This phenomenon poses significant challenges to online discourse and the well-being of individuals targeted by these negative behaviors.

Early Childhood Socialization

• The significance of early interactions cannot be overstated; early experiences of neglect or deprivation can profoundly affect later social functioning and psychological health. Developing secure attachments during childhood is crucial for emotional and social development.

• Intergenerational trauma: Evidence suggests that chronic mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, can often be traced back to negative early childhood experiences, including parental neglect. This intergenerational cycle of trauma can perpetuate disadvantage across family lines.

Social Networks and Inequalities

• Research indicates biased expectations from educators towards students from marginalized backgrounds, which can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies that drastically limit student potential and success. This bias reinforces existing inequalities in educational outcomes and social mobility.

• Cultural factors: The social structures and cultural narratives that surround race, gender, and socioeconomic status can either reinforce or mitigate existing inequalities, highlighting the need for systemic change to foster equity within education and societal opportunities.

Internet Silos and Information Control

• The emergence of online echo chambers or silos leads to the segmentation of information streams, reinforcing pre-existing beliefs. Individuals confined within these silos may become increasingly resistant to new ideas or perspectives, deepening ideological divides.

• Concerns of misinformation: The proliferation of fake accounts, often referred to as 'sock puppets', distorts realities online and manipulates public perceptions, complicating the truth surrounding significant global events and issues.

• Political indoctrination: Carefully selected messaging can cultivate divisions and intolerance among different ideological groups, making it increasingly challenging to engage in constructive dialogue across political lines.

Socialization in a Canadian Context

• The process of socialization occupies a significant role in defining identity within Canadian cultural norms, influencing individuals' perspectives on a wide array of social issues, including federal politics and community relations.

• Challenges faced by First Nations: Indigenous peoples in Canada continue to confront numerous challenges, including ongoing issues of rights, representation, and cultural acknowledgment. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing meaningful policies and fostering reconciliation efforts.

Conclusion and Call to Action

• Engaging in the political process is crucial for the empowerment of young individuals, encouraging active participation in democracy. This participation emphasizes the importance of personal agency in shaping societal values and driving necessary change within communities.

1^st class 

What is 

A systematic study of society 

Social science 

Valid and reliable statements 

Accurate 

Reliable  

disciplines and the social sciences 

No point at which it stops being sociology and becomes history 

Max Veber 

Karl Marx 

Emil Derkime 

Ichard scale 1 –5  

All marketing is applied sociology 

Everyone makes sociological statements 

Statistics 

Scholar spends time on other perspectives  

Know opponent's perspectives better than you know your own 

C wright mills coined the term the sociological imagination 

Pissed people off intentionally 

Bad boy 

Ride a motorcycle 

Without a sociological imagination you cannot develop a language or a democracy. 

Anti-democratic sources hate sociology 

Cannot develop policy solutions to social problems 

Have no skills to understand the social world 

Without it social issues are deemed as private, individuals are isolated 

Ibn Khaldun an Arab scholar 1332 – 1406 is thought of as the first sociologist but he did not think of himself that way. 

Vicious racist 

Like slavery 

Sociology emerged as an area of interest in Germany France and England during the 1800’s 

Led to industrialization, population increases and urbanization, scientific revolution, economic change (international trade), political upheaval, philosophy economics, and developed as a response due to dramatic social changes.  

August Comte (1798 – 1857) coined the term sociology  

Often considered the founder of sociology 

Became the queen of sciences as it was more important to understand the social world than anything else. 

Sociology got big post-World War 2 after gaining ways to gather data more effectively and due to the issues of such a horrific war. 

Karl Marx (1818 – 1883). Marx didn't use footnotes but stole from others (including Comte). Marx believed that conflict came from social class. 

Believed that conflict between the bourgeoisie (capitalists or city dwellers) and the proletariat (the workers) would initiate a revolution in an egalitarian society.  

Arguably the argument of the ghost of Karl Marx was the core of 19^th century sociology and shapes today. 

Early sociologists 

Herbert Spencer (1820 – 1903)  

Spencer created the term survival of the fittest 

Believed that those with wealth and power deserved to be there because they are there 

Max Weber (1864 – 1920) was German 

Described how Protestantism and the religions values towards hard work and frugality led to the development of modern capitalism the protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. Weber also looked at economics and ethics and their relationship to social organizations. 

Most concerned with the growth of bureaucracy. 

His methodological work in arguably the foundation of sociology. 

Believed that there wasn't a perfect scientific perspective 

Science doesn’t turn into irrefutable facts, creates 

Was a relativist 

Your question influences the scientific answer that you come to 

Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917 

Believed in solid facts 

Positivist 

Functionalist 

Suicide 

Social facts are patterned ways of thinking, acting, and feeling that exist outside of any one individual but exert social control over people. 

Every social fact  

Inter-generational mobility 

Used to determine the quality of society 

Only asked what their father did for a living 

Measuring social mobility 

Didn't collect data on women 

Social mobility on women as well 

Children determined by component of both 

Huge level of social mobility increases when including women 

How we formulate the question is very important 

Equality isn't all about money 

Safety is important if not more important than money 

Sociology has a dubious reputation. 

Linked to philosophy, social problems, and psychology. 

Ideologically suspect 

Symbolic interaction approach looks at the meaning of the daily social interaction of individuals. 

Mead (1863 – 1931) examined socialization, the development of self and social roles. 

Herbert Blumer (1900 – 1987) who coined the term symbolic interaction 

Erving Goffman (1922 – 1982) whose work on total institution 

Structural functionalism origins come back to Derkheim. 

The social system describes society like a human body, each segment doing its own individual part. 

Considered a little bit conservative  

Sociology grew like crazy in the 1950’s. 

Attempted to converge all prior theory 

Sociologist said that education is very important and so universities created universities. 

Talcott parsons tried to make sociology a legitimate university discipline.  

1960’s explosion of sociology 

Post modernism Michel Foucault 

Tries to use a diversity of voices 

Gets to nihilism as we can't come to a complete agreement on the world 

Nichel Foucault (1926 – 1984) wrote about totalitarian discourse. 

Claims to universal truth 

Discourse indicates particular ways of speaking about social reality. 

“How do we know what we know” 

Post modernism is just giving up on the world and science 

2^nd class 

• What is the first form of abstraction = language is the first form of abstraction 

• Culture is composed of language and law 

• Rules of our interactions together 

• Difference in language defines subculture 

• Language constructs meaning around specific groups of people 

• Dominant culture exerts power and control over others via cultural practices 

• Within different social classes you can have different cultural practices 

• To be able to point out a word you must possess the social distinction to be able to do so 

• Elements of knowledge become notes of distinction between different social classes 

• Symbols related to this are elements of culture 

• Ethnocentrism = we view the world through our own cultural perspectives 

• Cultural relativism the way that others do things is okay because it's their cultural phenomenon 

• This can be wrong in a lot of ways as many horrific things are linked to culture and should be opposed 

• Psychopaths means that you feel no connection to the norms and culture that you are around 

• One of the most culturally relativistic societies in the world is here 

• Not having a rigid class system is beneficial for the kind of system that we run in Canada 

• Culture is everything 

• Successful countries instrumentalize their people, doesn't put boundaries instead encourages success. 

• Canada similar to Australia 

• Canada is really really insanely good at war 

• Always been bi cultural, allowed more cultures, we don't reward war nearly as much 

• National culture is the imprint of national shared experiences 

• Religion united in Canada whereas the states splintered off 

• More cooperative way of solving problems 

• Prefer less bombastic rulers 

• Tend to lake communicative leaders 

• Intensely skeptical 

• Americans always joining something 

• Racism is deeply ingrained in American culture 

• Material culture what we possess and how we design it 

• Society is a group of people who share a culture 

• Language is a system of symbols 

• The sounds we make with our mouth are symbols 

• Norms, values, folkways, and taboos 

• High culture requires less time to support themselves and so has more time to learn high cultural practices 

• Pop culture or mass culture is culture consumed by all classes 

• Many culture groups require a high level of knowledge and time 

• Subordinate culture contests the dominant culture or ignores the dominant culture 

• Sapir-Whorf thesis = we have an experience and crave a conceptualization of the experience, we then explain it through language, and then make it a thing that exists in your experience 

• Language becomes the instrument of perception, it sorts reality and shapes our perception, what we perceive though our experiences is interpreted through language 

• Ethnocentrism = the tendency to judge other cultures through the perspective of your own or a different culture 

• The opposite of ethnocentrism is cultural relativism 

• Culture allows us to exercise our freedom (freedoms) 

• But culture also puts limits on what we think or do (constraints) 

• We do not except culture passively, we pick and choose and change our culture 

• We produce and interpret culture 

• Multiculturalism is a policy that reflects Canadas ethnic diversity, all individuals are free to preserve enhance and share their cultural heritage, multiculturalism is an invaluable resource for Canada 

• Due to other countries paying for education and livelihood, immigrants moving into Canada save us money 

• We need to advocate against other beliefs 

• We need to be critical of our beliefs 

• We assimilate people but just don't force them to do certain practices 

• Canada as English was contested by French Canadians, this debate created more leniency towards other languages 

• 4^th report, other ethnics = the argument that other languages could be recognized as national languages 

• Canada is a multicultural society within a bi lingual society, then the liberals made a thing to give money to other cultures to maintain their culture or ethnic group 

• The melting pot is the opposite of multiculturalism, the idea of contribution from a variety of sources, homogenization, the problem of power, not really different outcome (between Americans and Canadians), the idea is to make everyone the same and function in a similar way, the dominant group is what matter (success and money) 

• A conflict analysis of culture: the rights revolution, the process by which socially excluded group have struggled to win equal rights under the law and in practice. Spurred by the 1948 United Nations universal declaration of human rights. Rights revolution in full swing by 1960’s. Resulted in ever-widening and deepening democracy for increasing numbers of citizens. 

• Fascism about ethnocentrism the perfe3ction of your culture, people, and being than other cultures 

• Major part of World War 2, big part of Germany and a bit of Japan, big part of Italian culture 

• Fascism comes from the fasci which was a symbol of power in the roman senate 

• Big part of fascism is intolerance, it's not you its them 

• Scarcity was a part of it, food running out so kill the other people 

• Logic of liberalism makes it impossible to justify that you can own or hold total power over someone else 

• Without liberalism then there is no rights or reason to help other and give to those who are “inferior”, thus liberalism results in decolonization, leading to further rights 

• This resulted in the extension of democracy 

• To what extent are we guilty of the sins of our ancestors 

• It is illegal in British Columbia to show preference for men, able bodies people, or white people however it is legal to show preference for woman, unable bodies people, and those of other races 

• Jewish people were the first for us to consider trauma as a thing, due to World War 2, we found that damage was passed down to their children, intergenerationally,  

• You bear intergenerational trauma on your body; trauma gets written into your DNA 

• DO we compensate people today for the harm done to their ancestors, do employment problems penalize white male able bodies men 

• Every culture is in a process of change 

• Individuals within cultures re interpret, reform, or reject elements of their culture 

• Cultures rub against one another and end up sharing elements 

• Cultures die 

• Cultures are born 

• Pre industrial western Europe and North America  

• Industrialization 

• Globalization 

• Today, echo chambers and the end of tolerance and adaptation 

• Contemporary media as an instrument to resist change 

• Removing God and social conventions allowed western civilizations to flourish and be highly productive also helped with globalization 

• Right wing typically intolerant and is rising in Europe and America 

• Feed is targeted to you, creating intolerance and a specific belief 

• Internet tries to drag you into discourse based on your specific things like male, white 

• Modernism (modernity) is the beliefs in science and the faith that we can make things better, beliefs in progress, respect for authority, consensus around core values.  

• Postmodernism is typically nihilistic  

• Phenomenon of global urbanization, they were mixed and eclectic due to trade 

• Postmodernism believes that culture has become heterogenous  

• Postmodernism is culture characterized by an eclectic mix of cultural elements from different times and places, the erosion of authority, and the decline of consensus around core values 

• Blending cultures 

• We consume cultures as products 

• Erosion of authority seen in antivaxxers, freedom convoy, give back the classroom convoy and other such conspiracies 

• Should positions of authority be questioned? 

• We have become so specialized that we have lost the ability to do other things 

• Instability of core values, rapid shifts and declines in consensus in many areas 

• A political party loyalty 

• Loss of consensus in big historical concepts such as German Nazism or Russian communism 

• The inevitability of progress and life improvements as a process of life 

• Rationalization coined by Max Veber, one of the most constraining aspects of contemporary culture, make life akin to living inside an iron cage,  

• Rationalization is the application of the most efficient means to achieve given goals and the unintended negative consequences of doing so 

• A rational means (the use of the work clock), has been applied to the given goal (maximizing work), but has led to an irrational end (a too hectic life) 

• Consumerism, the tendency to define ourselves by the goods and services we purchase (we are what we wear) 

• Subculture is a set of distinctive values, norms, and practices within a larger culture 

• Examples of subculture what items you might buy that would define you as a member of a particular subculture. 

• Counterculture, a culture that opposes the dominant culture 

• Consumerism acts as a social control mechanism. It transforms deviations from mainstream culture into a means of making money, which entices rebels to become entrepreneurs 

3^rd class 

• Socialization is a learning process that involves development or changes in the individual's sense of self. 

• Primary socialization is the socialization that occurs during childhood. 

• Secondary socialization is the socialization that occurs later in life 

• Socialization is the principle by which we learn culture, reflecting sense of self and identity 

• Determinism refers to the degree to which a person's behavior, attitudes and other personal characteristics are determined or caused by a specific factor. 

• Gender is the social cultural meanings tied to our specific characteristic 

• Biological determinants of who we are however structured by cultural factors 

• Problematic when your biology intersects with your sense of self and or goals 

• Biological determinism states that the greater part of who we are is determined by our roughly 26,000 genes.  

• Behaviorism is a school of thought in psychology that takes a strong cultural determinist position. 

• Behaviorists believe that any behavior can be taught or learned. 

• Much of who we are, behaviorists would argue, is a consequence of how previous behavior was reinforced 

• Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) believed that the mind had three parts 

• Id represents our unconscious instinctive drives (Eros (life {pleasure}) Thanatos (death)) 

• Superego represents our conscience (develops societal expectations) 

• Ego mediates between the conscious and the unconscious, while trying to make sense of what the individual self does and thinks  

• Agency is the capacity to influence what happens in one’s life (Dennis Wrong argues that the individual has the ability to go against the socialization agents that are going against us) 

• Agents of socialization are the social institutions that act upon us to socialize us (family, friend, school, job, etc...) 

• George Herbert Mead developed a twofold categorization of agents of socialization.’ 

• Significant others are those that are close to us which develop our sense of socialization 

• Preparatory stage involves the imitation of others 

• Platy stage pretend play occurs; the child engages in role taking 

• Game stage: the child is able to simultaneously perceive several roles 

• Charles Cooley introduced the concept of the looking glass self as an exploration of how the self develops. There are three components of the process. How you imagine you appear to others, how you imagine those others judge your appearance, how you feel as a result 

• The family is the first agent of socialization and typically the most important. While the approach to socialization varies from family to family and culture to culture, it is consistently seen as a function of the family. One technique used to teach children right from wrong is the enactment of morality plays 

• A peer group can be defined as a social group that shares key social characteristics such as age, social position, and common interests. Peer pressure is also a factor 

• Community and neighborhood can be important agents of socialization as a child. How do the following issues affect a child? City versus small town, rich vs poor, and so on and so far. 

• There has been much debate as to whether mass media affects our behavior, and much has been debated regarding the violence children see on television, in movies, and through the use of video games.  

• Rowell Huesmann’s longitudinal study on the relationship between  

• Husmann proposed two theories to explain the increase in violent behavior. 

• Observational learning theory (children acquire aggressive behavior to solve issues) 

• Desensitization  

• Jib Fowles argues that television violence does not have an effect other than as a form of entertainment. He argues that television gets the material out of your mind, further, he argues that it is the ruling class that objects to violence, Fowles draws on the work of Pierre Bourdieu (1930 – 2002) 

• Education – schools are often the first source of information that children receive about a social group other than their own. Teachers play a critical role. A teacher's social location – his or her gender age ethnicity and so on can have an effect on the educational socialization of the child. 

• Issues of socialization (gender and school performance, adolescents and risk behavior, resocialization, voluntary resocialization, involuntary socialization). 

• People assimilate not just ethnically but between classes 

• Gender and school performance, girls are outperforming boys in all subject areas today and dropout rates are much higher for boys. This raises a number of questions.  

• Jeffrey Arentt discovered the importance of socialization on risky behavior and distinguishes between two types of socialization. Narrow socialization obedience and conformity to community standards are paramount deviants will be severely punished. Broad socialization and independence are promoted, and there is a wide range of behaviors 

• Resocialization is the process of unlearning old ways and learning new ways upon moving into a significantly different social environment 

• Voluntary resocialization is where one chooses to change something which alters their sense of self (typically with a ceremony), a new job, school, retirement, and the like 

• Humans evolve more culturally than we do physically 

• Eugenics is the idea that we can improve the population by killing those who are not ideal 

• Most forced sterilization was done on women 

• Eugenics promotion ended around World War 2 

• Assimilating to a new country changes your culture and socialization 

• Involuntary resocialization occurs when someone is forced to change, Total institutions regulate all aspects of your life and create a new you 

• Hazing as resocialization, hazing new members of a group or organization 

• Internet silos 

• Internet presentations of self, others, sanctions, menus of identity, mediated interaction 

• Sock puppet 

• Internet placing people into homogenized groups 

• Another element of culture is how we solve problems and how we find problems