September 12, 2006 Thinking Sociologically we rely too much on technology to solve our problems Ways of Thinking: Think

Scientifically. o We cannot think in any other way than scientifically (our dominant way) when Sociology emerged (when science became more widespread), it impacted us in positive ways o emerged to explain society

What is Sociology? What does it mean to think Sociologically? Definitions of sociology include: Sociology is the systematic study of human society John Macionis Sociology is the study and analysis of the structure of social relationships as constituted by social interaction *A good definition of sociology is hard to come by because of bias. Different takes on what you need to study* Definitions or descriptions of sociology usually include the ideas that: Society exists independent of the people who live in it and make it up. There are social structures that exist in and make up society. *there are different institutions, all contributing something to the societycornerstone, makes sociology different from psychology* These social structures both limit and expand the individual freedom of people. *bending rulesinterpret them instead of following them, gives them meaning* People generate and then perpetuate social structures through their interactions. It is the relationship between peoples interactions with one another and their social environment (structures) which is the proper subject matter for sociology. The sociological perspective is one that emphasizes structures like: STATUS age, class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality GROUPS family, leisure (sports, theatre, etc.), friendships, subcultures INSTITUTIONS workplaces, religions, schools (hiring to fill vacancy, not hiring person because job exists whether you exist or not) SOCIETY Canadian, America, British, Chinese, Indian

How do we live and interact with each other within these structures, locally, nationally, globally? connected as structures themselves, thru people (you and I) Sociological Imagination: The ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and the larger society (Connected, cant speak of one without the other) *its helpful because education, opens up our mind. Sociology allows us to view the world critically. As society, we like to blame individuals. But need to be able to distant from that view, problem not the individual but the structures around it. Need a sociological imagination to solve problems* Personal troubles become public issues globalization, how the world is shrunk due to technological advances like ships and airplanes. However, we have always been connected Global Interdependence an understanding that the lives of all people are closely intertwined and any one nations problems are part of a larger global problem.

Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both. Yet people do not usually define the troubles they endure in terms of historical changeThe well-being they enjoy, they do not usually impute to the big ups and down of the society in which they live. Seldom aware of the intricate connection between the patterns of their own lives and the course of world history, ordinary people do not usually know what this connection means for the kind of people they are becomingThey do not possess the quality of mind essential to grasp the interplay of people and society. What they needis a quality of mind that will help them to seewhat is going on in the world andwhat may be happening within themselves. It is this quality that may be called the sociological imagination - C. Wright Mills, 1959

Read page 5, left column, third paragraph Saying how history matters, run into problems of how you live in mass dense society. Most sociologists describe themselves as Macro Sociologists. - different kinds of sociologists (family, history, etc.) study different patterns There are regular and observable patterns in human social life: If you are attending a Canadian university, your classmates probably come from families in the upper half of the income ladder. If you attend a community college, classmates probably come from more modest means. Ninety percent of people marry, half by the time they are thirty. Half of those will divorce. With a bachelors degree, you will earn 25% more than if you have a college diploma, with a masters or doctorate that will increase by another 38 & 44%. Once you have children, you or your spouse will likely choose to be surgically sterilized to prevent further childbirths. If you are a woman in the workforce, you can expect to make at least 25% less than your male counterpart for the same work. Macrostructures Patterns of social relations that are beyond our daily associations and

lives Microstructures Patterns of intimate social relations that we engage in daily. Micro Sociologists Example: When you and your friends talk about subjects, you pretend to know whereas in reality, you dont have a clue whats going on. ***We instill meaning. We give meaning to I know. We create meaning for it. The sociological part: We want to create a balance world, want actions to make sense. Therefore we pretend to know whats going on. Its social interaction. We generate stability, creating social structures while we pretend.*** Macro-Micro Debate (tends to win since human ways is psychology) How is Sociology and Psychology different? Emile Durkheim Suicide - has to convince people that sociology differs from psychology. Did it by studying suicide. We can do whatever we want as long as we can. We do something if we dont like it. We suck it up or do something about it. Suicide Rates followed these patterns: Higher Rates Men Protestants Wealthy Educated Single Lower Rates Women Catholics Poor Less educated Married Issues of Structure and Agency