Introduction to Sociology Lecture Note

What is Sociology?

Sociology is the scientific study of society, including patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture.  The term sociology was first used by Frenchman Augusta Compete in the 1830s when he proposed a synthetic science uniting all knowledge about human activity.  In the academic world, sociology is  considered one of the social sciences.

Dictionary of the Social Sciences, Article: Sociology.  Edited by Craig Calhoun.  2002.  New York : Oxford University Press.

What Do Sociologists Study?

Sociologists study all things human, from the interactions between two people to the complex relationships between nations or multinational corporations.  While sociology assumes that human actions are patterned, individuals still have room for choices.  Becoming aware of the social processes that influence the way humans think, feel, and behave plus having the will to act can help individuals to shape the social forces they face.

The Origins of Sociology

Sociologists believe that our social surroundings influence thought and action.  For example, the rise of the social sciences developed in response to social changes.  In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Europeans were exploring the world and voyagers returned from Asia, the Americas, Africa, and the South Seas with amazing stories of other societies and civilizations.  Widely different social practices challenged the view that European life reflected the natural order of God.