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The Sociologist’s World

The Sociologist’s World. Sociology 111 Fall 2008. Always asked sociological questions Ancient Greek philosophers asked what was conducive to the ideal society and human happiness. Most early sociologists were trained historians, economists, or philosophers.

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The Sociologist’s World

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  1. The Sociologist’s World Sociology 111 Fall 2008

  2. Always asked sociological questions Ancient Greek philosophers asked what was conducive to the ideal society and human happiness Most early sociologists were trained historians, economists, or philosophers. Still find overlap with these disciplines Young Discipline

  3. Auguste Comte 1798-1857 • Considered the founder of modern sociology • Encouraged the scientific method to be applied to social phenomena • Trained as a philosopher & still tended to “act” that way

  4. Emile Durkheim 1858-1917 • An independent discipline • First academic appointment as a sociologist • University of Bordeaux • 1887 • Edited the first journal of sociological research

  5. Durkheim’s lasting legacy • Conducted rigorous empirical scientific research • Wrote extensively about proper scientific methods • Rules of the Sociological Method, 1895 • Research on suicide still holds relevance

  6. What is going on here?

  7. Humans • Operate within a number of social institutions • Educational system, the economic system, the legal system • Occupy specific social locations • Based on our gender, social class, race/ethnicity, family background

  8. Social locations and social institutions • Have a powerful influence in shaping our lives • How we behave, the identities we develop, and the chances we have in life

  9. Most of the time unaware • Alfred Schutz- “the world taken for granted” • Natural attitude • Sociology challenges this notion of the world taken for granted

  10. Disturbing “the world taken for granted” • What social forces exist that consolidate wealth for some and exclude others from gaining some of that wealth? • Why are some people promoted within an organization despite having the same qualifications as others within the same organization? • How does race and ethnicity impact one’s utilization and access to healthcare services?

  11. The sociologist’s world • Is a world that can not be taken at face value. • It is the opposite of our natural attitude. • Persistent investigation of the layers of social life.

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