Lesson 4 - 5 Social Structures - Problems - Durkheim

What is Society? Social Theory Social Structures

Dr. Sandra M. Rios Oyola

MODERN SOCIOLOGY

WHAT IS SOCIAL THEORY?

A general concern with the nature of the social in modern society (Turner, 1996).

1. actions and behaviours (what people do) 2. beliefs and ideologies (what people think) 3. traditions and institutions (... solidified forms of sociality)

MODERN SOCIOLOGY

WHAT IS SOCIAL THEORY?

4. Objectivity (the world of facts)5. Normativity ('our' world conventions, habits, and customs) 6. Subjectivity ('my' world of experiences, feelings, thoughts, and perceptions)

MODERN SOCIOLOGY

WHAT CAN SOCIAL THEORY DO?

THE TASK OF DELIVERING RELIABLE CONCEPTUAL TOOLS FOR:1. DESCRIBING 2. ANALYSING 3. INTERPRETING 4. EXPLAINING 5. ASSESSING

THE CONSTITUTION, FUNCTIONING, AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL REALITY

What was the social reality between 1850 and 1920? Karl Marx (1818-1883), Max Weber (1864-1920), and Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)... W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963), George Simmel (1858-1918), Harriet Martineau (1892–1876), Marianne Weber (1870–1954)

Rapid and intense social changes. Made connections between areas of society that do not seem related.

Not a unified vision / i.e. The State Weber: a bureaucratic structure that claims the legitimate use of violence Durkheim: an organization dedicated to enhancing social solidarity and recreating social bonds. Marx: an instrument of class domination at the service of the bourgeoise

Rapid Social Change

The Rise of Capitalism

calculation, systematic pursuit of profit, private property Division of Labour Alienation Ethics Social Differentiation

Durkheim and Weber

Methodological IndividualismMethodological collectivism

2. Methodological individualism refers to: a) A research method created by one person b) Studies carried out by one researcher c) Studies that focus on one research participant d) Analyzing social life on the assumption that it is the result of individual actions

3. Methodological collectivism refers to: a) Analyzing social life on the assumption that it is the result of group dynamics b) A method created by multiple people c) Studies carried out by multiple researchers d) Studies that focus on multiple research participants

Emile Durkheim, 1858-1917

What is Sociology? The study of social facts

Emile Durkheim

• Distinguishing and elaborating the field of sociology from other social sciences
• Emphasis on empirical data to lend support to theoretical speculations
• Focus on the division of labor and its consequences for social life
• Collective conscience or the need for a common core of values and moral rules
• Functionalism

Sociological theories consider economic facts, the state, morality, law, and religion... and will study them as phenomena in particular context, a bounded society.

Social facts are to be treated as things

What is a thing?Did we create this thing?

The Problem with Values

We only know what it is, what is real Everything is society is made of values: religious, moral, juridical, economic, and artistic values. Everything is considered in relation to people.

The case for value-free sociology, Max Weber

“To let the facts speak for themselves” is the most unfair way of putting over a political position to the student.

Discuss

Do you think value-free research is possible in sociology? Do personal experiences help to study a social issue?

What makes a social Problem?

What is the substance of social life?

The mentality of groups is not the same as individuals

Discuss

"The determining cause of a social fact must be sought among antecedent social facts and not among states of individual consciousness". (p. 74)

Javier Trevino defines Social Structure

http://sk.sagepub.com/video/skpromo/EBGjDX/a-javier-trevino-defines-social-structure

• Social structures are the frameworks of societies• Social structures dictate our behaviour and can provide order and predictability within peoples’ social lives • Social institutions are the institutions that shape individuals and have functions for wider society

Social Problems

• Parenthood
• Technology
• Crime
• Gender Discrimination
• Stigma
• Poverty

From topic to problem, to research question

1. Form a group based on your interest for a similar topic
2. Discuss how this topic is a social problem
3. Research the category in the TROT website and/or The Sociological Abstracts (log to UU)
4. Each member of the group selects an abstract from a peer-reviewed article and identifies a research question
5. Write your research questions and article citation in the Forum in Moodle
6. Choose one of the research questions and explain it to the rest of the class. What information should the author know before elaborating their research question?

Questions?

The Sociology Of Drinking and Drug Problems

(1) a sociocultural perspective that considers social change, modern society, and cultural influence; (2) a socio-environmental perspective that explores social learning, social setting, and alienation; and (3) an ideological perspective that examines cultural, institutional, and professional ideologies.

• Freed CR. In the Spirit of Selden Bacon: The Sociology Of Drinking and Drug Problems. Sociol Compass. 2010 Oct;4(10):856-868. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-9020.2010.00325.x. Epub 2010 Oct 3. PMID: 30555527; PMCID: PMC6291215.