Professional Documents
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Sociology
Sociology
Sociology
SOCSCI15
C. History
1. Sociology
Since ancient times, people have been fascinated by the relationship between individuals and
the societies to which they belong. Many of the topics that are central to modern sociological
scholarship were studied by ancient philosophers. Many of these earlier thinkers were
motivated by their desire to describe an ideal society.
In the 13th century, Ma Tuan-Lin, a Chinese historian, first recognized social dynamics as an
underlying component of historical development in his seminal encyclopedia, General Study of
Literary Remains. The next century saw the emergence of the historian some consider to be the
worlds first sociologist: Ibn Khaldun (13321406) of Tunisia. He wrote about many topics of
interest today, setting a foundation for both modern sociology and economics, including a
theory of social conflict, a comparison of nomadic and sedentary life, a description of political
economy, and a study connecting a tribes social cohesion to its capacity for power (Hannoum
2003).
In the 18th century, Age of Enlightenment philosophers developed general principles that could
be used to explain social life. Thinkers such as John Locke, Voltaire, Immanuel Kant, and Thomas
Hobbes
responded to what they saw as social ills by writing on topics that they hoped would lead to
social reform.
The early 19th century saw great changes with the Industrial Revolution, increased mobility, and
new kinds of employment. It was also a time of great social and political upheaval with the rise
of empires that exposed many peoplefor the first timeto societies and cultures other than
their own. Millions of people were moving into cities and many people were turning away from
their traditional religious beliefs.
2. Anthroplogy
Classical Greece
Historians of anthropology, such as Marvin Harris, indicate two major frameworks within which
empirical anthropology has arisen: interest in comparisons of people over space and interest in
longterm human processes or, humans as viewed through time. Harris dates studies of both
to Classical Greece and Classical Rome, specifically, to Herodotus, often called the "father of
history" and the Roman historian, Tacitus, who wrote many of our only surviving contemporary
accounts of several ancient Celtic and Germanic peoples. Herodotus first formulated some of
the persistent problems of anthropology.
Middle Ages
Another candidate for one of the first scholars to carry out comparative ethnographic-type
studies in person was the medieval Persian scholar Ab Rayhn Brn in the eleventh century,
who wrote about the peoples, customs, and religions of the Indian subcontinent. According to
Akbar S. Ahmed, like modern anthropologists, he engaged in extensive participant
observation with a given group of people, learnt their language and studied their primary texts,
and presented his findings with objectivity and neutrality using cross-cultural
comparisons. Others argue, however, that he hardly can be considered an anthropologist in the
conventional sense. He wrote detailed comparative studies on the religions and cultures in
the Middle East, Mediterranean, and especially South Asia. Biruni's tradition of comparative
cross-cultural study continued in the Muslim world through to Ibn Khaldun's work in the
fourteenth century.
Medieval scholars may be considered forerunners of modern anthropology as well, insofar as
they conducted or wrote detailed studies of the customs of peoples considered "different" from
themselves in terms of geography. John of Plano Carpini reported of his stay among
the Mongols. His report was unusual in its detailed depiction of a non-European culture.
Marco Polo's systematic observations of nature, anthropology, and geography are another
example of studying human variation across space.]Polo's travels took him across such a diverse
human landscape and his accounts of the peoples he met as he journeyed were so detailed that
they earned for Polo the name "the father of modern anthropology."
The first use of the term "anthropology" in English to refer to a natural science of humanity was
apparently in 1593, the first of the "logies" to be coined.
D. Father
1. Sociology
Old Auguste Comte
Modern Max Weber
2. Anthropology
Old Franz Boas
Modern Marco Polo
b. Bronisaw Kasper Malinowski - was a Polish anthropologist, one of the most important
20th-century anthropologists. He has been also referred to as a sociologist and
ethnographer.
c. Franz Uri Boas (July 9, 1858 December 21, 1942) was a German-American anthropologist
and a pioneer of modern anthropology who has been called the "Father of American
Anthropology".
d. Sir Edward Burnett Tylor (2 October 1832 2 January 1917), was an English anthropologist.
Tylor is representative of cultural evolutionism. In his works Primitive
Culture and Anthropology, he defined the context of the scientific study of anthropology,
based on the evolutionary theories of Charles Lyell.
e. Lewis Henry Morgan (November 21, 1818 December 17, 1881) was a pioneering
American anthropologist and social theorist who worked as a railroad lawyer. He is best
known for his work on kinship and social structure, his theories of social evolution, and
his ethnography of the Iroquois. Interested in what holds societies together, he proposed
the concept that the earliest human domestic institution was the matrilineal clan, not
the patriarchal family.
F. Perspectives
1. Sociology
a. Functionalism
emphasizes the social components that bring about the stability in a society.
b. Conflict Theory
- views society as characterized by power struggles and dissent.
c. Symbolic Interaction Theory
- analyzes social phenomenon from peoples personal or subjective interpretations.
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2. Anthroplogy
a. Functionalism
- views society as a structure, which is composed of interrelated parts and roles that work
together for societies, its smooth functions.
b. Method of Research
- it uses scientific methods to explain patters, variations, and changes in human behavior.
G. Branches
1. Sociology
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Theoretical Sociologist
It includes micro theory or small/middle/large theory. The theories of Karl Marx, August Cimte,
Max Weber, Emmile Durkhaim, Sorokin, etc are studied under the theories of sociology.
Eg. The theories of Economic determinism and the theory of Class Struggle of Karl Marx.
Eg. Theory of Suicide by Emmile Durkhaim.
Historical Sociology
It is the study of social facts and social groups. It studies the background of any social events.
How and when different social groups or organizations originated?
Eg. The history of Hindu, Roman, Greek, etc. and other major civilizations were studied by P.A.
Sorkin.
Sociology of Knowledge
The newly emerged branch of sociology indicates that our knowledge is the product of social
phenomena. This means our knowledge is always influenced by society. The economic religious
political and other interests save the human belief and idea.
Criminology
This branch of sociology studies the criminal behavior of individuals or groups. Origin of crime its
types nature, causes as well as law, punishment, police, etc. come under this study, The efforts
for the improvement is also studied.
Different organizations establish to control the crime as well as their role also come under its
study.
Sociology of Religion
This branch studies the structure of the religion in social system as no society is free from the
influence of it. It analyses the social behavior of human beings. It also studies the religious
constitutions and their role in the society.
Augste Comte, Emmile Durkheim, Herbet Spencer did the study of elementary forms of religious
life.
Sociology of Economy
This branch of sociology studies production, distribution, consumption and exchange of goods
and services.
This branch also studies the economic activities of the society in which the focus is given about
the socio-cultural factors. The access in production, the mode of distribution, the real
consumers, and the role of culture in such activities are studied under it.
Eg. Why Hindus dont eat Cow?
Rural Sociology
This branch of sociology studies the way of life of rural people as the rural population is higher
than the urban. The patterns of life such as behavior, belief, culture, tradition norms, values, etc.
are totally different than of urban people. So, it studies the rural society in scientific way. It also
studies rural life, social institutions, social structure, social processes, etc. of the rural society.
Urban Sociology
This branch of sociology studies the way of life of urban people. It gives information about the
social organizations and institution of urban society as well as social structure and social
interaction. It also studies the social pathology of urban society such as discrimination) crime,
Archeology deals with studying the tangible remains of a culture. Fortunately, human beings
leave clues about their ways of life, not only in words and alphabets, but also in the form of
material remains like potsherds, foundation of houses, stone tools and burials. These reveal
important information about the beliefs and traditions of a particular civilization or community.
For example, paintings on walls of tombs may throw light on the status of the person buried
there.
d. Biological Anthropology
Also known as physical anthropology, deals with tracing the biological origins, evolutionary
changes, and the genetic diversity of the human species. In the process, biological
anthropologists study primate behavior and anatomical variations between primates and human
beings in order to understand physical changes that have taken place in humans during their
evolutionary journey from apes. They may also take up genetic analysis and anthropometric
studies to find reasons behind the physical differences between people of various groups.
H. Methods
1. Sociology
a. Case study research
In case study research, an investigator studies an individual or small group of individuals with an
unusual condition or situation. Case studies are typically clinical in scope. The investigator (often
a clinical sociologist) sometimes uses selfreport measures to acquire quantifiable data on the
subject. A comprehensive case study, including a longterm followup, can last months or years.
b. Survey research
Survey research involves interviewing or administering questionnaires, or written surveys, to
large numbers of people. The investigator analyzes the data obtained from surveys to learn
about similarities, differences, and trends. He or she then makes predictions about the
population being studied.
c. Observational research
Because distortion can be a serious limitation of surveys, observational research involves
directly observing subjects' reactions, either in a laboratory (called laboratory observation) or in
a natural setting (called naturalistic observation). Observational research reduces the possibility
that subjects will not give totally honest accounts of the experiences, not take the study
seriously, fail to remember, or feel embarrassed.
d. Correlational research
A sociologist may also conduct correlational research. A correlation is a relationship between
two variables (or factors that change). These factors can be characteristics, attitudes,
behaviors, or events. Correlational research attempts to determine if a relationship exists
between the two variables, and the degree of that relationship.
e. Experimental research
Experimental research attempts to determine how and why something happens. Experimental
research tests the way in which an independent variable (the factor that the scientist
manipulates) affects a dependent variable (the factor that the scientist observes).
A number of factors can affect the outcome of any type of experimental research. One is finding
samples that are random and representative of the population being studied. Another
is experimenter bias, in which the researcher's expectations about what should or should not
happen in the study sway the results. Still another is controlling for extraneous variables, such as
room temperature or noise level, that may interfere with the results of the experiment. Only
when the experimenter carefully controls for extraneous variables can she or he draw valid
conclusions about the effects of specific variables on other variables.
f.
Cross-cultural research
Sensitivity to others' norms, folkways, values, mores, attitudes, customs, and practices
necessitates knowledge of other societies and cultures. Sociologists may conduct crosscultural
research, or research designed to reveal variations across different groups of people. Most
crosscultural research involves survey, direct observation, and participant observation methods
of research.
Participant observation requires that an observer become a member of his or her subjects'
community. An advantage of this method of research is the opportunity it provides to study
what actually occurs within a community, and then consider that information within the
political, economic, social, and religious systems of that community. Crosscultural research
demonstrates that Western cultural standards do not necessarily apply to other societies. What
may be normal or acceptable for one group may be abnormal or unacceptable for another.
a. Participant observation
A fundamental method of research used in cultural anthropology. It involves a researcher, or
researchers, living within a given culture for an extended period of time, to take part in its daily
life in all its richness and diversity. The anthropologist in such an approach tries to experience a
culture "from within," as a person native to that culture might do.
b. Cross-cultural research
Sensitivity to others' norms, folkways, values, mores, attitudes, customs, and practices
necessitates knowledge of other societies and cultures. Sociologists may conduct crosscultural
research, or research designed to reveal variations across different groups of people. Most
crosscultural research involves survey, direct observation, and participant observation methods
of research.
c. Survey research
Survey research involves interviewing or administering questionnaires, or written surveys, to
large numbers of people. The investigator analyzes the data obtained from surveys to learn
about similarities, differences, and trends. He or she then makes predictions about the
population being studied.
I. Importance
1. Sociology
-
2. Anthropology
It gives:
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an academic and practical background for those who wish to apply the anthropological
perspective in a wide range of professional careers.
J. Nature of Job
1. Sociology
- International Relations
- Health Care
- Business Consultation
Federal Government
- Urban Social Work
- Military
- State Government
- Criminal Justice
- Seminar and Workshop
Consultations
Education Administration
State Agencies
Consulting - Education
City Management
Evaluation Research
Law
Child Welfare
Gerontology
Business
2. Anthropology
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Education/Outreach
Administration/Management
Archaeology
Ethnography/Cultural Anthropology
Cultural Resource
Management (CRM)
Evaluation/Assessment
Historic Preservation
Museum/Curation/Project Design
Community Development
Business
Tourism/Heritage
Human/Social Services
Healthcare Management/Services/Deliver
Management Consulting/Organizational
Development/Training
International Development/Affairs
Market Research
Forensics
Mass Communication
Humanitarian Efforts