exam 1

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Sociology- is the systematic study of human group behavior

Social Theory- Set of statements that seek to explain problems

3 Sociological Models

1. Symbolic interaction (interactionist)

Microsociological- close up social interaction in specific situations and small groups ( e.g. classroom, groups)

2. Structural functionalism

3. Conflict

Both are Macrosociological- Broad focus on culture and social structures that shape society as a whole (e.g. United States)

Symbolic interaction (mead)- Concerned with fundamental or everyday forms of interaction at the micro level

this includes symbols and other forms of communication (searching for the meaning0

Structural Functionalism- Society is a complex system understanding system means breaking it down into its various structures and their functions

Structural Fundalism ( Durkheim)- Essential characteristics all societies must process

1. consensus

2 Cooperation

3. Stability

Society is a social system (change only comes from outside

Conflict Model- Based initially on Hegals philosophy of dialects

Thesis

Antithesis

Synthesis

Karl Marx conflict model-

Modern society is unequal (social class, race, gender, etc.)

Inequalities are relationships that lead to conflict

Conflict produces social change

Conflict perspective (E.g. Afghanistan and gender inequalities)

Sociological Methods

Epistemology- The process of determining truth or put in another way, how one goes about deciding what is true and what is false

4 epistemologies (processes of determining truth)

1. Folk knowledge- truth is determined on basis of "common knowledge" "everyone knows that"

Internet has greatly expanded folk knowledge

2. Authoritative epistemology- explanation is true because person in authority says that it is

3. Reason Aristotle 300BCE

Reason or logic is your thinking correct E.g. deductive reasoning

All men are bad which means nick is bad

4. Scientific Epistemology Galileo (1632)

2 models of universe

science- determine truth through the development of logical theories and hypothesis and the empirical measurement and observation of those hypothesis

Empiricism- there exist an objective reality that can be measured using human senses