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Sociological Theory. Not as boring as it sounds!. Origins of Sociology. Sociology as a discipline is the product of two dramatic social changes:. 1. The Enlightenment. 2. The Industrial Revolution. The Enlightenment (18 th c.). “Age of Reason” Emergence of the ideal of political liberty
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Sociological Theory Not as boring as it sounds!
Origins of Sociology • Sociology as a discipline is the product of two dramatic social changes: 1. The Enlightenment 2. The Industrial Revolution
The Enlightenment (18th c.) • “Age of Reason” • Emergence of the ideal of political liberty • Societies that were more democratic began to replace monarchies • Political revolutions • French and American revolutions (1789 & 1776) • Rise of science and rational thought • Ascendance of science, diminishing importance of “the church”
Industrial Revolution (19th c.) • Shift from agrarian to industrial • Urbanization—“push and pull” economy • Extremes of wealth and poverty I’m going to briefly expound upon the Industrial Revolution, as I think it is important for understanding the milieux out of which Sociology was born.
THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION Become one with the cogs!
Shift from the Agrarian World • Agricultural Revolution – New farming methods invented, e.g. crop rotation. • Enclosure movement had large land owners buying and then fencing public land. • Smaller farmers pushed off of land to work as wage laborers for various land owners or to move to the growing cities. • More food produced = population increase • In 1700 there were about 100 million people in Europe, by 1800 the population had grown to 190 million.
Textile Industry Takes Off!!! • Domestic system (cottage industry) had dominated the early 1700s; merchants dropped off raw materials at people’s homes, picked up finished products later. • Series of inventions modernize textile manufacturing, including: • 1760 – Spinning Jenny (James Hargreaves) – Allowed for multiple threads to be woven together. • 1793 – Cotton Gin (Eli Whitney) – Machine that separated cotton seeds from the cotton.
Textile Industry Takes Off!!! • These advancements resulted in the movement of work from the home to the factory.
Britain Industrializes First • 1715-1850 • Many natural resources available in Britain, including large amounts of coal and iron. • Geographical advantages include a large river system for water power and many natural harbors for easy trade. • A strong, stable government allowed a strong, stable economy to develop which resulted in extra money to invest.
Britain Industrializes First • COLONIAL EMPIRE! – colonies provided much needed raw materials and markets.
The Revolution Spreads • To continental Europe, USA, and Japan between 1850 and 1914.
Changes Brought by theIndustrial Revolution • Inventions change the way we live and work, e.g. steam engine in 1763. • Transportation and communication systems are greatly enhanced, e.g. trains, telegraph. • Cities begin to dominate the western world. • Creates a new social order with the rise of an influential middle class. • Poor working conditions for lower classes eventually lead to new social and political movements. • Desire for markets and resources entice Europeans to take over foreign lands (imperialism).
Now let us move on to: Key Figures inSociological Theory
Key Figures in Sociological Theory • Biography • Key problems focused on • Key concepts developed • Key works written and/or Key actions taken • More?
“Do not fear mistakes.There are none.” --Miles Davis
Key Figures in Sociological Theory • Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber • Biography • Key problems focused on • Key concepts developed • Key works written and/or key actions taken • More?
