SOC 3310 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Anomie, Neurosis, Civil Society

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 3310
• Professor: Reza Barmaki

Document Summary

There are 2 categories of theories: involving natural events or social events. If you have a general explanation, you can predict a phenomenon (general theory about gravity = things fall down) If you can produce a testable/falsifiable hypotheses it is a scientific theory (we cannot test whether or not there is an afterlife so that is not a scientific theory) Theory definition*: theory is a system of generalized statements or propositions about phenomena . In the social world, you can place judgment. Theory emerges out of observation of fact and reality. In order to write a sociological paper, you need to have a sociological theory. Modern social theory and enlightenment (17 th century) Medieval: rural/agricultural/feudal (based on the ownership of land in terms of class segregation, catholic church was more powerful than any feudal state- most were roman. Created great centers of learning and artistic inspiration.