Sociology discipline

(MDE 152):

Lecture 3

“The Development
of Sociological
Thinking”

Lector: Aida Baigarayeva, Dr. PhD,

aida.baigarayeva@sdu.edu.kz
 Lecture’s Plan
Lecture’s issues

1 Comparing sociological theories via some questions

2 Thinking sociologically or critical thinking experience

3 Society in Global Perspective

 Comparing Sociological Theories
via Some Questions
Basic Functionali Conflict Symbolic Feminist Theory
questions sm Theory Interaction
What is the Individuals Individuals are Individuals and Women and men are
relationship of occupy fixed subordinated to society are bound together in a
individuals to social roles. society. interdependent. system of gender
society? relationships that shape
identities and beliefs.
Why is there Inequality is Inequality results Inequality is Inequality stems from
inequality? inevitable from a struggle demonstrated the matrix of
and over scarce through the domination that links
functional resources. importance of gender, race, class, and
for society. symbols. sexuality.
How is social Social order Social order is Social order is Patriarchal social
order stems from maintained sustained through orders are maintained
possible? consensus through power social interaction by the power that men
on public and coercion. and adherence to hold over women.
values. social norms.
 Comparing Sociological Theories
via Some Questions
Basic Functionalis Conflict Theory Symbolic Feminist Theory
questions m Interaction
What is the Society seeks Change comes Change evolves Social change comes
source of social equilibrium through the from an ever- from the mobilization of
change? when there is mobilization of evolving set of women and their allies
social people struggling social relationships on behalf of women’s
disorganizatio for resources. and the creation of liberation.
n new meaning
systems.
Major Criticisms
Major This is a The theory There is little Feminist theory has too
Criticisms conservative understates the analysis of often been anchored in
view of degree of cohesion inequality, and it the experiences of White,
society that and stability in over-states the middle-class women.
underplays society. subjective basis of
power society.
differences
among and
between
groups.
Thinking Sociologically or Critical Thinking Experience

Thinking sociologically is about to put Question to yourself always!

 Thinking Sociologically

# Typical questions
1 How the society we live in – as well as the general categories into
which we fall within that society – shapes our particular life
experience?
2 Looking sociologically means challenging the familiar idea that we
live our lives in terms of what we decide (decision making )
3 Society shapes our experiences

4 Example: Why you choose to enroll at your particular college?

- Close to home;
- Got scholarship;
- Degree;
- Friend;
- Dying to attend that college.
Thinking Sociologically or Critical Thinking
Experience
Thinking Sociologically or Critical Thinking Experience
Thinking Sociologically or Critical Thinking Experience
 Society in Global Perspective

No society can be understood apart from the global context that

now influences the development of all societies. The social and economic
system of any one society is increasingly intertwined with those of other
nations. Coupled with the increasing ease of travel and telecommunication, a
global perspective is necessary to understand change over the world.
To understand globalization, you must look beyond the boundaries of
your own society to see how patterns in any given society are increasingly
being shaped by the connections between societies. Comparing and
contrasting societies across different cultures is valuable. It helps you see
patterns in your own society that you might otherwise take for granted, and
it enriches your appreciation of the diverse patterns of culture that mark
human society and human history. A Global perspective, however, goes
beyond just comparing different cultures; it also helps you see how events in
one society or community may be linked to events occurring on the other
side of the globe.
 Society in Global Perspective

For instance, return to the example of unemployment that C. Wright

Mills (M. L. Anderson and H. F. Taylor// Sociology the essentials, 2017) used to
distinguish between troubles and issues. One man may lose his job in Peoria,
Illinois, and a woman in Los Angeles may employ a Latina domestic worker
to take care of her child while she pursues a career. On the one hand, these
are individual experiences for all three people, but they are linked in a
pattern of globalization that shapes the lives of all three. The Latina domestic
may have a family whom she has left in a different nation so that she can
afford to support them. The corporation for which the Los Angeles woman
works may have invested in a new plant overseas that employs cheap labor,
resulting in the unemployment of the man in Peoria. The man in Peoria may
have seen immigrant workers moving into his community. One of his
children may have made a friend at school who speaks a language other than
English.
 Society in Global Perspective

Such processes are increasingly shaping many of the subjects

examined in this course – work, family, education, politics, just to name a few.
Without a global perspective, you would not be able to fully understand the
experience of any one of the people just mentioned, much less how these
processes of change and global context shape society. Throughout this
course, we will use a global perspective to understand some of the
developments shaping contemporary life over the life.
Society in Global Perspective
Society in Global Perspective
Society in Global Perspective
With a great appreciation for your attention!