SOC 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: The Sociological Imagination, Auguste Comte, Social Fact

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 1101
• Professor: Joseph Sawan

Document Summary

Some of the major concepts skills and topics for sociologists are as follows: Sociological research is focused on gathering and analyzing data that can be used to define, describe, and explain the complexities of the social worlds. Data must be gathered as accurately as possible so that it accurately reflects the meaning of what is being studied this makes sociology conservative. Sociology is potentially subversive because we often critically examine existing structures and social issues. Sociologists recognize that experience emerges in the context of interaction and that the socially constructed nature of this means that experience is capable of being challenged or changed. Core sociological concepts include the social construction of reality, the sociological imagination, social institutions, society and social facts, social class, socialization, and culture. Note that we will examine each of these in depth as the class proceeds. All sociologists are trained in three interrelated areas: critical thinking skills, research and analytic skills, and theorizing skills.