Sociology

Unit One: What is Sociology??

Unit Objectives

Gain a thorough understanding of the meaning of sociology

Understand the research process Complete accurately your own

research project

Today’s Objectives:

Define Sociology, social facts, and socialization

What does sociology teach us?

Sociology

The study of a society’s values, beliefs, material objects, language and rules of conduct Sociology examines groups

How do groups form?How do the groups change?How do individuals act w/in those

groups?

Basic Sociology Definitions

Social Facts: facts surrounding you, which influence your personal beliefs EX: geography, parents’ religion, school, etc

Socialization: the process by which we learn to become a member of our society

Durkheim’s Suicide Study Results Suicide is more likely among divorced

than married people, in protestants than catholics, in people undergoing economic change than those in a stable economic condition, even poverty

This is important because suicide is an INDIVIDUAL act, but is strongly influenced by various social facts!

Sociology teaches us to question our beliefs by using scientific methods and by considering different points of view