A2 SociologyUnit 4: Theory and

Methods

In small groups brainstorm factors associated with an

orange.

An Orange

Source of food Colour

Juice vitamins

Health

Interpretivist View

By looking at each individual strand

and understanding it, you can

understand what an orange is.

Segments fit together

Pulp protects the pip

Structuralsit ViewDifferent purposes =

structuralist sociologists

Structural Functionalists emphasis the purpose for which

the orange was designed.

Conflict structuralists only a means to an end, stepping stone to a better new tree.

See it as a whole orange

Skin binds it all together

Segments work

together to form a

whole

Key Concepts

• Manifest function: intended consequence (provide juice, vitamin C)

• Latent function: unintended consequence (jobs for humans)

Take the idea of manifest and latent function and apply these functions to schools, funerals

and weddings

Learning Objectives

Consensus, conflict, structural and social action theories

Must1. Understand there are different ways of seeing society2. Understand the view of society as a functional system

(Functionalism)3. Recognise the advantages and disadvantages of

Functionalism4. Know the importance of conflict and ideology to social

order (Marxism)5. Recognise the advantages and disadvantages of

Marxism

In groups, discuss and write answers, feedback to the whole

class• Is the orange a good analogy for society?

• What other analogy could be used?

• From a structuralist perspective, what does the skin/segment represent?

Push yourself question:• Do you think it would be possible to analyse

the whole orange by looking at each individual strand?

Topic Tennis

You have been grouped in 3’s

2 players and a scorer/scribe

When I say the topic two of you take it in turns to say words related to that topic until you cant say anymore

The 3rd person notes down the

scores and decides who the winner is

Score:1 point every time the other person cant think

of a word ......Or use tennis scores!!!

Functionalism: Structuralist approach

• Attempt to provide complete theory of society.

• First look at society as a whole, and then working down to individual parts.

• Organic analogy: adapt to environment; component parts each performing own action to hemp living being exist.

p255 Moore et al

p221 AQA

Exam Practice

• Examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Functionalist view of society.

33 marksStrengths Weaknesses

Functionalism

Applying Functionalism and Marxism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWqed9u6rr4

What would Functionalists say about the looting that occurred as a result of

hurricane Katrina?

Throwing snowballs

Write down everything you know

about Marxism

The importance of conflict and Ideology to social oder

• Structuralist, modernist conflict approach

• 19th Century writer: Karl Marx

• Create a scientific explanation of societies

• Economic system largely determines the social structure

• Owners of economic system control society and construct values

p 368 – 371 Nelson Thornes

Lets recap the main ideas of Marxism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQtJHCxR6WQ&feature=related

The Two Marxism's

Structural Marxism Humanist Marxism

Place the cards into the correct approach

Humanist Marxism Structuralist Marxism

Gramsci Althusser

So long as the rest of society accept ruling class hegemony there will not be a revolution

Marxism is a science. It discovers the laws that govern the workings of capitalism

Voluntarism: humans have free will. They are agents who make their own history. Their consciousness are central in changing the world.

Determinism: structural factors determine the course of history. Individuals are passive puppets, victims of ideology.

Socialism will come about when body of workers organise themselves into revolutionary parties and formulate an alternative vision.

Tends to discourage political action. Socialism will appear when contradictions occur. Capitalism will bring about its own collapse.

Must know Marxist Concepts

• Deterministic• Ideology• Alienation• Hegemony• ISA• RSA• Exploitation• Proletarianised• Polarisation• Petty bourgeoisie

Speed dating

• Sit with a partner – one of you facing the whiteboard.

• The first person has only 30 seconds to describe the key words featured below moving onto their next partner.

Speed dating

• Sit with a partner – one of you facing the whiteboard.

• The first person has only 30 seconds to describe the key words featured below moving onto their next partner.

Your keyword is ...

Deterministic

Speed dating

• Sit with a partner – one of you facing the whiteboard.

• The first person has only 30 seconds to describe the key words featured below moving onto their next partner.

Your keyword is ...

Ideology

Speed dating

• Sit with a partner – one of you facing the whiteboard.

• The first person has only 30 seconds to describe the key words featured below moving onto their next partner.

Your keyword is ...

Alienation

Speed dating

• Sit with a partner – one of you facing the whiteboard.

• The first person has only 30 seconds to describe the key words featured below moving onto their next partner.

Your keyword is ...

Hegemony

Speed dating

• Sit with a partner – one of you facing the whiteboard.

• The first person has only 30 seconds to describe the key words featured below moving onto their next partner.

Your keyword is ...

ISA

Speed dating

• Sit with a partner – one of you facing the whiteboard.

• The first person has only 30 seconds to describe the key words featured below moving onto their next partner.

Your keyword is ...

RSA

Speed dating

• Sit with a partner – one of you facing the whiteboard.

• The first person has only 30 seconds to describe the key words featured below moving onto their next partner.

Your keyword is ...

Exploitation

Speed dating

• Sit with a partner – one of you facing the whiteboard.

• The first person has only 30 seconds to describe the key words featured below moving onto their next partner.

Your keyword is ...

Proletarianised

Speed dating

• Sit with a partner – one of you facing the whiteboard.

• The first person has only 30 seconds to describe the key words featured below moving onto their next partner.

Your keyword is ...

Polarisation

Speed dating

• Sit with a partner – one of you facing the whiteboard.

• The first person has only 30 seconds to describe the key words featured below moving onto their next partner.

Your keyword is ...

Petty bourgeoisie

Task

• Watch and listen to the following clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=076fVD7Haow&feature=related

• Apply Marxist understanding to the social conflict of the miners strike. How may it indicate a crisis is hegemony?

Debate

• In pairs prepare your argument

Socialism is an outdated concept that will not occur

in our lifetime

Quick test questions

1. What is an organic analogy?2. Identify and briefly explain what is

meant by functional prerequisites 3. What does Marx mean by the

base/superstructure distinction?4. Explain the differences between

Structural Marxism, Humanist Marxism and the Frankfurt School.

Exam Question

• Assess the contribution of Marxism to an understanding of society (33 marks)