What_is_Sociology__1_

Introduction

• Observation of Social Change: Reflects on changes in sociability, especially post-pandemic, where technology usage in social interactions increased significantly.

Concept of Sociology

• Definition: Sociology is the study of social relations and institutions.

• Impact of Technology: Increased use of technology, especially mobile phones, radically alters social interactions and relationships. Mainly noticed during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical gatherings decreased.

Sociological Imagination

• Definition: Coined by C. Wright Mills, this concept refers to the ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and larger social forces.

• Public Issues vs. Private Troubles: Sociologists identify patterns linking personal troubles (individual issues) to public social issues (broader societal problems).

• Example: Unemployment as a private trouble for one person contrasts with millions unemployed as a public issue.

Emergence of Sociology

• Historical Context: Emerged from Enlightenment ideology in the 18th century when rapid societal changes took place due to industrialization.

• Development Over Time: Established as a critical academic discipline around the early 20th century and evolved significantly during events like the World Wars.

Key Sociological Concepts

• Social Construction: Reality is not inherent but created through social interactions.

• Culture: Refers to the symbolic and learned aspects of society (values, norms, beliefs, and behaviors).

• Identity: Shaped largely by social interactions and cultural contexts, challenging notions of innate identity.

• Agency: The capacity of individuals to act independently and make choices, which interacts with social structure.

Sociological Perspectives

• Diversity in Interpretation: Sociology does not adhere to a single 'truth' but rather multiple paradigms and interpretations of social phenomena.

• Major Theoretical Frameworks:

  • Functionalism: Views society as a complex system where parts work together.

  • Conflict Theory: Emphasizes power dynamics and inequalities.

  • Symbolic Interactionism: Focuses on social interactions and the meanings individuals assign to them.

Sociological Knowledge and Social Change

• Response to Change: Sociological knowledge is constantly evolving to account for changes in society, technology, and cultural interactions.

• Impact of Globalization: Modern sociology must consider global influences and contextual differences in social structures.

Australian Sociology

• Historical Influences: Shaped by colonization, multiculturalism, and interactions with Indigenous societies. Topics of study include class, gender, and ethnicity.

• Current Trends: Focuses on social issues specifically relevant to Australian context while engaging with global sociology.

Conclusion

• Purpose of Sociology: Aims to uncover patterns in social life to foster a deeper understanding of individual and collective experiences. Encourages not just academic engagement but also public discourse and social awareness.

Critical Reflection

• Public Sociology: Advocates for sociologists to engage with wider civil society and inform public policy, emphasizing the relevance of sociology in contemporary social challenges.