Introduction to Sociology

& Its relevance to the Social Care Programme

Catherine O’ Sullivan BSS (TCD), MSc (UCD), PhD (TCD, final year)

I.T. CarlowJune 11th 2013

What is Sociology?• The systematic study of human society.• Unlike psychology, sociology looks at groups and structures, not just individuals.

• Unlike anthropology, sociology considers cultures and structures close to home as well as those that are distant.

• Unlike economics, sociology looks at a wide range of systems that influence life and society.

Sociology• Is a form of consciousness.

• Is a way of thinking.

• Is a critical way of seeing the world.

• ‘the first wisdom of sociology is this: things are not what they seem’ – Peter Berger.

Benefits of Sociology• We can see the opportunities and constraints in our everyday lives.

• We can challenge widely held assumptions.

• We can assess the truth of common sense.

• We can be active participants in our society.

• We are able to live in a diverse world.

• We develop the capacity of enquiry.

History of Sociology• 19th Century Industrial and French Revolutions

• Increased mobility• New kinds of employment• A time of great social and political upheaval

• People exposed to societies and cultures other than their own

• Urbanisation • Decline in traditional religious beliefs

Sociological Theoretical Perspectives

• Functionalism, Conflict and Interactionism.

• The Functionalist perspective focuses on order and stability (Durkheim).

• The Conflict perspective focuses on power relations (Marx).

• The Interactionist perspective focuses on how individuals interact with one another in everyday life (Blumer).

Sociology in the Workplace

• Employers want people with transferable skills, sociology provides people with a skill set

that can contribute to many workplaces.

EG: an understanding of social systems and large bureaucracies;

The ability to recognise important differences in people’s social, cultural and economic backgrounds, and the capacity for critical thinking.

Sociology & Social Care• ‘Ireland is a peculiar society in the sense that it was a 19th century society up to about 1970 and then it was almost bypassed by the 20th century’ (John McGahern, 20020.

• Rapid social and economic change.

• Power relations and social status.

• Inequalities.• Education.

People’s Lives• Deconstructing dichotomies/binaries.

• Understanding context.• Cultural relativism v. Ethnocentrism.

• Diversity/inclusion.• Advocacy.• Social stratification.• Class consciousness.

Race & Ethnicity• The concept of identity.• Impact of media and culture.• Prejudice and discrimination.• Stereotypical thinking.• Assimilation.

Gender & Sexuality• Concept of gender.• Social reproduction of gender roles and relations.

• Changing nature of sexual attitudes.

• Feminism.• Patriarchy.• Masculinity.

Crime & Deviance• Social construction of deviance.

• Becker’s Labelling theory.• Social control, sanctions.• Laws, norms, values.• White-collar crime.• Merton’s Strain Theory.• Social disorganisation/ Marginalisation.

Creative Assessment• Visual Sociology: YouTube videos to be reviewed, e.g. ‘Masters of Money Series’.

• DVDs, e.g., ‘Super Size Me’ (ethics of research).

• Interpretation of music, e.g., ‘Black Eyed Peas’ Where is the Love?’.

• Case studies.• Semiotics.