1. Sociology Definition - The systematic study of human society and social interaction.

2. Chapter 1 Section 1 • Word “Sociology” coined by August Comte (prominent sociologist) • Group behavior is the focus • Sociology-group behavior • Psychology- individual behavior

3. Timeline • 1830 science of sociology identified by Comte, in Positive Philosophy • 1848 Karl Marx- Communist Manifesto • Classless society • 1892 first Sociology Dept at Univ. of Chicago • 1897 -1904 – published writings by WEB DuBois, Durkheim, Weber

4. Something New Group Behavior • Cannot be predicted by personal characteristics • Something new is formed when groups form • Illustration: Bronze (Emile Durkheim) • Formed of lead, copper, and tin-combined: new substance • Ex) mobs after championships- Other examples???

5. A society is a large social grouping that shares the same geographical territory and is subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.

6. Social Structure • The patterned interaction of people in social relationships • Example: schools vary, but students and teachers generally relate to each other in similarly patternedways • What are some other examples of patterned relationships?

7. Social Structure • Social structure is an active and constantly changing social force • It varies across space and time

8. Sociological Imagination • The ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and the larger society. Private v. Public Issues

9. Sociological Imagination • Questions common interpretations of human social behavior • Ex-Why would a young man join a gang? • Possible personal factors-to prove toughness, looking for a family, lack of father figure, peer pressure • Sociologist would look at how society has taught men to be “masculine” • Looks at the category of young men

10. Stereotypes

11. Sociological Imagination • Challenges conventional social wisdom • No assumptions and no stereotypes • Start looking at groups with the eyes of a sociologist!

12. Acknowledgements • “Simpsons” Powerpoint slides used from http://sociology.mrdonn.org/intro.html