intro Flashcards
what is sociology
theorizing about social world
ex. education, family, environment, health, violence, law, religion,
science, technology, race & ethnicity, sexuality, sports, arts,
economy, consumption, fashion and style, food and
agriculture, aging, migration, governance, bureaucracy, media,
entertainment, lifestyles, rural and urban life, work,
emotions, body, memory, language
systematic
using methods; producing contestable,
verifiable knowledge; not common-sense knowledge
n IT IS AN ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE
social patterns
are
social actions,
interactions, exchanges
that repeat themselves
what do sociologists do
recognize that
personal experiences are
affected by class, ethnicity,
gender, age, and sexual
orientation
SOCIOLOGY AS
A DISCIPLINE
common interests with
other social sciences
such as psychology,
anthropology, social
work, economics, and
political science
n distinguishes itself from
other disciplines through
its history, methods,
vocabulary, and tools
George simmel
German sociologist (1858-1918)
The Metropolis and Mental Life
In modern city, individuals are exposed to diff stimuli → fast paced and new
Modern city: fast paced, goal-oriented, overstimulating
Traditional rural life: slow-paced
Pierre bourdieu (making invisible visible)
French sociologist (1932-2002)
“The function of sociology, as of every science, is to reveal that which is hidden”
Equips you to go against the common sense
Conceals reality and inequality
Common sense serves power
C.W. Mills
Imagination in sociology
An outlook of seeing the world
Rejects individual-level explanation of social life
Understand the connections between the political and the personal (these are interlinked in many ways)
Sociology as self defense (boxing)
Think in action
Direct engagement
Liberatory
Social theory and sociology is not just to theorize, but to change
debunking
unmasking any
widely accepted with
assumptions, excuses, and
judgements
unrespectful
paying
attention to the domain of
unrespectable
cosmopolitan
seeing
anything in historical and
cultural perspective
Consumerism
Happiness is tied to consuming and purchasing (shopping therapy)
Media, influencers, celebrities, pop culture
We consume and convey certain meanings with our choices whether our class or status
Our belonging to a community, reflecting our values and ideals
We all live in a consumer society
Loyalty to consumerism
Many options available to everyone but we all want to be unique and authentic
Rise of vintage and thrifting
Capitalist consumerism: mass production, fast fashion
Mass-produced and fast fashions: authenticity? Uniqueness? Individuality?
Eco Fashion and sustainable fashion ideal
Protest against fast paced production
All tastes are socially constructed, mediated, and experienced - pierre bourdieu
Principal founders
Karl marx→ modern capitalism and production, class conflict, labour experience
Max weber → emergence of capitalism, bureaucracy, iron cage and rationalization
Emile durkheim → solidarity, social integrity and individualism
The birth of modern sociology
Germany, france, and england during the 1800’s
Influenced and inspired by modern thoughts after the enlightenment ( western, ‘rational’, secular thought)
Response to dramatic social and historical changes because of rise of modern capitalism, modernization, urbanization, and industrialization
Decanozing sociology
Only white European men?
Many other early sociologists played essential roles in founding sociology
Bc of racism and sexism within society and even in academia important figures continue to be marginalized (harriet martineau, web du bois, dorothy smith or even ibn khaldun)
Certain thinkers and texts become canonized (and thus we must be mindful of it)
Ibe Khaldun (1332 - 1406)
Thought of as the first sociologists
Studied different types of societies: tribes, cities, nations and economies in a systematic approach
Harriet martineau (1802-1876)
First woman sociologist
Focussed on economic, social and historical spheres and their intersections in promoting inequality
Translated many of August Comte’s texts
Criticized the social injustices that women, slaves and the working poor often experienced
W.E.B. Du Bois
Black american sociologist of race economics and culture
Also wrote newspaper articles, novels, personal essays, short stories and poems
Famous work: the souls of black folk (1903)
“Double consciousness”
Clothing and style
What are some forces to wear the clothes we are wearing today (social process and factors)
Price (income) can determine what you can wear (social class)
Social norms and trends that are followed beyond personal choice → beauty standards
Cultural aesthetic → loyalty to culture
Dress code and how other positions have to wear a specific item of clothing
Thrifting can be a protest to fast fashion
Relativization
ready to talk to anyone about anything and to anyone
Past judgements
