AN100 Lecture Notes - W. E. B. Du Bois, Georg Simmel, Symbolic Interactionism
Document Summary
Social theorist enable us to see the social world in different ways. The foundations of modern sociology, and social theory can be traced back to a handful of key thinkers. E. g karal marx, emile durkheim, max weber, georg simmel, and w. e. b du. After world war ii, the interest in social theorists began to shift in new unexpected directions. Was primarily located in america and europe. Introduction of the new directions in social theory were embodied by functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Social theory makes us pay attention to something we may have avoided or ignored. It makes us ask unusual questions, make arguments you disagree with so we are forced to find a new approach. We don"t necessarily need social theories to make observations about the world around us, but help us understand what we re looking for. The best most lasting theories have helped change the way we understand society. Social theories is central to sociological imagination.
