SOCI 2110H Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Sociological Theory, Hard Wired, Bourgeoisie
4 Feb 2018
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Document Summary
The context for the development of social theory. Concepts": basic building blocks of theories, abstractions that connect particular, concrete observations, examples, modernity, class, gender, bureaucracy, status, social solidarity, globalization, discourse, surveillance, postmodernity etc, giddens two-way relationship between sociological concepts and experience/behavior. The importance of social theory: sociological theory insists on society" and the social" as distinct levels of analysis, compare to, naturalistic theory, we"re hard wired". Individualistic theory: we"re all different, sociological theories agree that human experiences are shaped by social influences. Identifies patterns and generates explanations: develops and links concepts that describe and interpret social experience, permits us to reflect on and debate social issues. Intellectual: new anxieties, new questions, new ways of understanding. Political revolutions: especially the french revolution and the american revolution. Decline of feudalism: from lords and peasants/serfs to bourgeoisie and proletariat. Rise of modern states: new relationships between. Urbanization: concerns about growing urban working class, potential for social disorder.
