SOAN 2120 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Symbolic Interactionism, Class Conflict, Social Inequality

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology and Anthropology
• Course: SOAN 2120
• Professor: D Walters

Document Summary

We examine the impact that the environment has on different groups. Three men created sociology, karl marx (con ict theory), max weber , and emile durkheim (functionalism) Society is structured around con ict between competing groups. Creates a class struggle between the haves and the have nots. Inequality is the result (unfair and wrong) If things exist in society they exist to serve a function. There is a consensus of what is function and dysfunctional. Argue that inequality is functional as it keeps the members of society working towards progress. 90% of the university professors in the natural sciences are male but 50% of the population is female, in the end the gender distribution should be equal. At the extreme con icts theorists are conspiracy theories. At the extreme functionalists are naive to believe that we can have equal opportunity. Stems from the interpretive school, and the meanings that are assigned to people"s behaviour.