Lecture 2 The Sociological Imagination PDF

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Monday. August 31st

The Sociological Imagination Question: What does it mean to think sociologically? How do sociologists study the social world? 1. Peter Berger- author a. Every aspect of the social world, even the most mundane, are socially constructed by us b. Invitation to Sociology: Sociology as an Individual Pasttime i.

Brings up stereotypical views of sociologists (such as data geeks)

c. The sociologist is driven by a desire to understand. So, they will study for the best and the worst parts of society. d. Seeing the familiar in an unfamiliar way e. “Things are not what they seem” 2. Four Main Sociological Questions a. What are people doing with each other here? b. What are their relationships? c. How are these relationships organized into institutions? d. What are the collective ideas that move people and institutions? 3. C. Wright Mills a. What is the sociological imagination? i.

You have to step outside of yourself to understand the issues you’re facing

ii.

See connections between events and conditions of our lives and the social and historical context society faces.

iii.

Connection of biography, others, and history

b. Difference between troubles and issues i.

Trouble- a private matter

ii.

Issue- public, structural or institutional

iii.

Ex: One person who does not have a job (trouble) versus many people who do not have a job as in unemployment (issue)

c. Difference between individualist understanding versus sociological imagination i.

Ex: Homelessness, Moms 4 HOusing 1. Individualist understanding: they are too lazy to get a job and afford a house 2. Sociological: Are their jobs available for women of color? Does institutional racism play a part? Gentrification?

4. Allan Johnson: Forest and the Trees a. People tend to individualize racism, which isolates us from one another and reduces social problems to individuals. This impedes our ability to talk about privilege. b. Relates to White Fragility...