Sociology - A Global Introduction, 5Th Edition, Chapter 1

Front 1

What is sociology?

Back 1

Sociology is the the systematic, skeptical and critical study of the social. It is questioning the world as it is taken for granted (de-familiarizing the familiar).

Front 2

Explain the sociological perspective:

Back 2

It sees the general in the particular (Peter Berger). Sociology is revealing that human behaviour is not as individualistic as we may think because one's social life is shaped by factors outside of our controll (e.g. categories such as gender or class).

Front 3

What are the key roles of sociologists in modern society?

Back 3

researchers
theorists
critic
eduactor and teacher
policy shapers
commentators and public intellectuals
dialogists
⇒ they become the critical citizen in society with a passion for social change

Front 4

What does social marginality mean?

Back 4

Sociological thinking is especially common among social ‘outsiders’. The more social marginality, the more likely they are to be aware of their surroundings and to see the world from a different perspective.

Front 5

What is social integration?

Back 5

Social integrations means how people bond, connect and tie into society.

Front 6

What are the four benefits of the sociological perspective?

Back 6

1) It becomes a way of thinking, a form of consciousness (Bewusstsein) that challenges the familiar understandings of ourselves and of others (critically assess the truth of common sense assumptions).

2) It enables us to assess both the opportunities and the limitations that characterize our lives (achieve our goals more effectively)

3)It helps us to be active participants in our society.

4) It enables us to regonize human differences and the challenges of iving in a diverse world.

Front 7

What are the three problems about the sociological perspective?

Back 7

1) Society is part of a changing world (studying a moving object)
2) Sociologists are part of what they study
3) Sociological knowledge becomes part of society (recursive [zurückgreifend] work)

Front 8

What are the important concepts of enlightenment?

Back 8

1) rationality
2) empiricism (Sinneserfahrung)
3) science
4) universalism
5) progress
6) individualism
7) toleration
8) freedom
9) uniformity of human nature
10) secularism (Weltlichkeit)

Front 9

According to Comte, what are the three stages of human effort to comprehend the world?

Back 9

1) Theological stage (God’s will)
2) Metaphysical stage (society= natural)
3) Scientific stage

Front 10

What are the 4 historical major changes of society?

Back 10

1) Growth of modern capitalism (new industrial economy)
2) The growth of cities (poverty, crime, homelessness)
3) Political change (new ideas about democracy and political rights)
4) Loss of Gemeinschaft

Front 11

What are the 5 different aspects of the contemporary broad social change?

Back 11

1) The Digital Age
2) The Cyborg Age
3) The Information Age
4) The Network Society
5) The Virtual Age

Front 12

What is the digital age?

Back 12

It highlights the computerization of life, the shift from analogue to digital (bsp: Akten).

Front 13

What is the cyborg age?

Back 13

It highlights that human beings are more adapted (anpassen) to technology (Mercedes production).

Front 14

What is the information age?

Back 14

It highlights the rapid growth of production and availability of data and information (Wikipedia).

Front 15

What is the network society?

Back 15

It highlights the ways in which new ways of communication and relating have developed (mobile phones).

Front 16

What is the virtual age?

Back 16

It highlights the mediated nature of reality (screen, bar code).

Front 17

In which two ways is sociology changing its nature?

Back 17

1) new topics
2) new methods (technology)