what is sociology? notes

Tuesday, January 28 Warm-Up

What is sociology?Sociology is the study of groups—how they are formed , how they change, and how the group impacts individual behavior

Who is our group?1. Read directions found in “Who is Our

Group”? handout

2. When instructed, travel around the room to gather the information from your classmates

3. Wait for further instruction

Wednesday, January 30, Warm-UpIf sociology is the study of groups—how

they are formed, how they change and how they impact individual behavior, then what are examples of groups studied in sociology?

Under Warm-Up #1, respond to the following:Create a list of 10 groups that can be studied by sociologists.

Sociology Homework1. Pick 2 groups that you believe have had

the greatest impact, be it positive or negative, on your life

2. Bring in pictures or visual images that represent these groups.

3. Images will be shown to the class.

Thursday, January 31, Warm-UpUnder Warm-Up #2 on your Unit Sheet, answer the following question:Why is it important to have the ability to consider information from a different perspective?

What do you see?

What do you see?

What do you see?

What do you see?

What do you see?

What do you see?

What do you see?

What do you see?

What do you see?

What do you see?

Sociological PerspectivePerspective is a particular point of view

Sociological perspective is a view that looks at behavior of groups, not individuals

How do sociologists study groups?1. Groups are a collection of people that display

similar behaviors, or function in similar environments.

2. Sociologists attempt to gather social facts , are any social activity or situation that can be observed and measured, about groups to begin to understand patterns of behavior, or similar behavior of the group.

3. Social facts are gathered through observation, surveying groups, questionnaire, participation in group, studying history of group, data, and studying case studies..

HomeworkComplete “How Should Our Group Behave?” handout for Friday, February 1

Monday, February 4, Warm-UpTRUE or FALSE

(record T/F on Unit Sheet): 1. Families living in large cities are more isolated from friends,

neighbors, and relatives than families in small towns.2. Poor people have more stable marital relationships—with less

divorce, fewer separations, and so on—than wealthy people.3. Many people with strong racial prejudices tend to be obedient

and respectful toward their superiors, to demand complete obedience from those below them, and tend to admire power.

4. Female infants cry more, sleep less, and are more demanding than male infants, who are more passive and content.

5. People’s opinions of themselves depend largely on the way others think of them.

6. Second marriages tend to be more successful than first marriages.

What is the purpose of studying sociology?

1. Understand social structure

2. Explain reasoning for group’s pattern of behavior

3. Repeat or change behavior

4. Promote conformity

What is the purpose of studying sociology?: Understanding Social Structure

1. The primary focus of sociologists is to understand the social structure, or the patterned interaction of people in social relationships.

2. With this understanding of social structure, sociologists assume that groups of people will interact in the same patterned way or relationship regardless of time or location.

Who is Our Class Survey Results

What is the purpose of studying sociology?: Explain Reasoning for Group’s Behavior

1. How much of behavior is inherited?

2. How much of behavior is learned?

3. How much is behavior determined by the individual?

4. How much is behavior determined by the group?

Class Description

What is the purpose of studying sociology?: Repeat or Change Behavior

1. How can we understand social statics—behavior that promotes stability or order?

2. How can we understand social dynamics—behavior that will lead to change?

Student and Teacher Expectations

What is the purpose of studying sociology?: Promote Conformity

1. Conformity is acting according to certain accepted standards

2. What rules, or sanctions, need to be created to maintain or change behavior?

Rules and Sanctions

HomeworkComplete “Why Do People Conform?”

handout. All of the answers are based on your opinion, therefore make the effort and you will do well.

Tuesday, February 5, Warm-Up1.In your warm-ups,

answer: Why do people conform?

Wednesday, February 6, Warm-upIn your unit sheet, answer the following question:How might understanding conformity help to assist in the study of sociology?

ConformityWhy do people conform?

Emotional response, such as joy or fear

Acceptance into groupShared values with group

Conformity: Emotional Response

Conformity: Acceptance into group, even when values not shared by individual

Conformity: Shared Group Values

Friday, February 8, Warm-upWith your group, answer in your unit sheet, answer the following question:How does the understanding of theoretical perspectives, specifically ___________________ (fill in assigned perspective), aid in the study of sociology, or understanding group behavior.

Tuesday, February 12, Warm-UpIn your unit sheet, answer the following question:Based on your viewing of the television show, Kid Nation, what do you predict will happen to the group of 40 children during their stay at Bonanza City?

Theoretical PerspectivesTheoretical perspective a set of assumptions accepted as true, or an area of study

EXPLAINED A DIFFERENT WAY…The way you interpret and understand the meaning of an image or event

In sociology, theoretical perspectives are assumptions on how groups should be studied

Theoretical Perspective: FunctionalismFunctionalism is an approach of studying

sociology that emphasizes the contributions made by each part of society

How does theory explain change in society?A change in one part of society can lead to

change in another part of societySociety tends to return to a state of stability

after some upheaval, or change, has occurred

Functionalism: Do all functions have a positive effect?

1. Manifest function is an intended and recognized consequence of an aspect of society

2. Latent function is an unintended and unrecognized consequence of an aspect of society

3. Dysfunction is a negative consequence of an aspect of society

Homework, for February 12Write a reflection on how society, or groups will

change based on the following events. Please write one reflection for each event.

1.Barack Obama wins the presidential election.2.Students must pay to go to high school.3.NBHS enforces an attendance policy in which

students lose credit for 7 or more absences per semester.

4.Higher education, including community colleges and universities, is free for all Americans.

Thursday, February 14, Warm-UpDON’T WRITE ANYTHING DOWN FOR WARM-UP, JUST

READ 1. Test tomorrow, on Unit: “What’s Sociology?”2. Short Answer Questions = Essential Questions 1-3 on

Unit Sheet3. Bring with you to be handed in BEFORE test: Unit Sheet

and Kid Nation Analysis (questions should be answered)3. Missing Notes? = Go to Class Homepage in

ProgressBook, click on the link that says “What is Sociology? Notes?

4. Don’t have access to ProgressBook, or unsure how to use it= I am free Period B, C, & D, and after school

What’s on the test?Concepts

1.3 Unit Essential Questions

2.Interpreting events based on theoretical perspectives

3.Explanation of why people conform

Vocabulary1. Sociology 2. Groups3. Social structure4. Perspective5. Sociological perspective6. Social facts7. Social statics/dynamics8. Conformity9. Theoretical perspectives10.Functionalism11.Manifest function12.Latent function13.Dysfunction14.Conflict perspective15.Power16.Symbolic interactionism

Theoretical PerspectivesTheoretical perspective a set of assumptions accepted as true, or an area of study

EXPLAINED A DIFFERENT WAY…The way you interpret and understand the meaning of an image or event

In sociology, theoretical perspectives are assumptions on how groups should be studied

Homework, for February 12Write a reflection on how society, or groups will

change based on the following events. Please write one reflection for each event.

1.Barack Obama wins the presidential election.2.Students must pay to go to high school.3.NBHS enforces an attendance policy in which

students lose credit for 7 or more absences per semester.

4.Higher education, including community colleges and universities, is free for all Americans.

Theoretical Perspective: Conflict Perspective

Theoretical Perspective: Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic interactionism is an approach of studying

sociology that focuses on the interactions among people based on mutually understood symbols

What assumptions are made in symbolic interactionism?Assumption #1 we learn the meaning of a symbol from

the way we see others reacting to itAssumption #2 we base our behavior or interaction

based on the meanings of symbolsAssumption #3 we use the meanings of symbols to

imagine how others will respond to our behavior