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Sociological Concepts and Sociological Concepts and PerspectivesPerspectives

BBA-L02- 13/8/08

Welcome Class

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Today’s ObjectivesToday’s Objectives

To clarify the theoretical frame of references in sociologyTo clarify the theoretical frame of references in sociology

To discus about various Sociological theories and thinkers.To discus about various Sociological theories and thinkers.

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Definitions of TheoryDefinitions of TheoryWhat is Theory?What is Theory?• In general contexts the theory is Value or Speculation.In general contexts the theory is Value or Speculation.

• In Social Sciences the term refers to a conceptual framework used to In Social Sciences the term refers to a conceptual framework used to interpret or explain some aspect our every day existence ( Joe Feagin, interpret or explain some aspect our every day existence ( Joe Feagin, 2003:18)2003:18)

• Theory is a set of logically interrelated propositions and implications that Theory is a set of logically interrelated propositions and implications that follow from them. Which are used to explain some phenomenon, implication follow from them. Which are used to explain some phenomenon, implication in any theory are a set of underlying assumptions and methods that rarely in any theory are a set of underlying assumptions and methods that rarely questioned a theoretical perspective. ( Johnson, 1995: 295)questioned a theoretical perspective. ( Johnson, 1995: 295)

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Importance of Social Theory in Importance of Social Theory in SociologySociology

Social theories provide ideological and theoretical Social theories provide ideological and theoretical support to research topics. Social theories provide an support to research topics. Social theories provide an ideological base to Social problems and phenomena. ideological base to Social problems and phenomena. It is accepted that without any proper sociological It is accepted that without any proper sociological theory it is difficult to conduct a social research theory it is difficult to conduct a social research properly. It works like Blood in the body that properly. It works like Blood in the body that provides life and sustains it.provides life and sustains it.

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Perspectives in SociologyPerspectives in Sociology

1)1) What is Perspective?What is Perspective?

A working set of assumptions is A working set of assumptions is called “ Perspective” an “approach” some called “ Perspective” an “approach” some times a “Paradigm”.times a “Paradigm”.

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Evolutionary Perspective in BriefEvolutionary Perspective in Brief

A)A) InteractionlismInteractionlismSymbolic interactionists such as G.H.Mead and C.H.Cooley Symbolic interactionists such as G.H.Mead and C.H.Cooley concentrate upon this interaction between individuals and concentrate upon this interaction between individuals and groups. They note that peoples interact mainly through groups. They note that peoples interact mainly through symbols, which include signs, gestures, and most importantly symbols, which include signs, gestures, and most importantly through written and spoken words. A word has no inherent through written and spoken words. A word has no inherent meanings. It is simply a noise, but it becomes a word when meanings. It is simply a noise, but it becomes a word when peoples reach agreement that this noise carries a special peoples reach agreement that this noise carries a special meaning. Thus “YES”, “NO”, “GO”, “COME”, and meaning. Thus “YES”, “NO”, “GO”, “COME”, and thousands of other sounds became symbols is attached to thousands of other sounds became symbols is attached to each. Although some meanings can be exchanged without each. Although some meanings can be exchanged without words, as all lovers know, most meanings are exchanged words, as all lovers know, most meanings are exchanged through spoken or written words.through spoken or written words.

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B)B) FunctionalismFunctionalism

In this perspective a society is seen as an In this perspective a society is seen as an organized network of cooperating groups operating in organized network of cooperating groups operating in a fairly orderly manner according to a set of rules and a fairly orderly manner according to a set of rules and values shared by most members. Society is a seen as a values shared by most members. Society is a seen as a stable system, with a tendency toward equilibrium, stable system, with a tendency toward equilibrium, that is a tendency to maintain a balanced, that is a tendency to maintain a balanced, harmoniously operating system. In the functionalist harmoniously operating system. In the functionalist perspective, with Talcott Parsons, Kingsley Davis, perspective, with Talcott Parsons, Kingsley Davis, Robert Merton as the most prominent spokesmen.Robert Merton as the most prominent spokesmen.

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ConflictConflict

Karl Marx, C.Wright Mills, lewis Coser, Aron, Dahrendorf, Karl Marx, C.Wright Mills, lewis Coser, Aron, Dahrendorf, Chambliss, Collins are the main contributors of the Conflict Chambliss, Collins are the main contributors of the Conflict Theory.Theory.

Conflict theorists see a society as held together through the Conflict theorists see a society as held together through the power of dominant groups or classes. They claim that the power of dominant groups or classes. They claim that the “Shared Values” which functionalists see as the glue holding “Shared Values” which functionalists see as the glue holding society together do not really form a true consensus in which society together do not really form a true consensus in which the dominant groups or classes impose their values and rules the dominant groups or classes impose their values and rules upon the rest of the peoples.upon the rest of the peoples.

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Pioneers Contributors in SociologyPioneers Contributors in Sociology

1)1) IBN KHALDUN IBN KHALDUN (1332-1406 Egypt)(1332-1406 Egypt)a)a) EthnocentrismEthnocentrismb)b) Effects of environment on Human SocietyEffects of environment on Human Societyc)c) Nomadic and Urban LifeNomadic and Urban Lifed)d) Ups and Downs of NationsUps and Downs of Nationse)e) Cultural ScienceCultural Science

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Auguste Comte (1798-1857 France)Auguste Comte (1798-1857 France)

A) SociologyA) Sociology

1.1. SStatic Sociologytatic Sociology2.2. DDynamic Sociologyynamic Sociology

B) Status of WomenB) Status of Women

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EMILE D`URKHIUM (1858-1917 France)EMILE D`URKHIUM (1858-1917 France)

A.A. SSociologyociology

B.B. SSocial Solidarityocial Solidarity

C.C. SSuicideuicideC.1)C.1) Egoistic SuicideEgoistic SuicideC.2)C.2) Anomique SuicideAnomique SuicideC.3) C.3) Altristric SuicideAltristric Suicide

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WILLILAM GARAHAM SUMNER (AMERICA)WILLILAM GARAHAM SUMNER (AMERICA)

A.A. SOCIOLOGYSOCIOLOGYB.B. Folk waysFolk waysC.C. MoresMoresD.D. Theory of LaizezfareTheory of LaizezfareE.E. Iner and Outer GroupsIner and Outer Groups

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HERBART SPENCER (1820-1902 UK)HERBART SPENCER (1820-1902 UK)

1.1. SSociologyociology

2.2. SSociety ociety

3.3. SStatetate

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Thank YouGoodbye

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