Difference between revisions of "Sociology"
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There are a number of formative theorists who laid the groundwork for sociology, who have had a great deal of influence in Sociology through the following key theories: | There are a number of formative theorists who laid the groundwork for sociology, who have had a great deal of influence in Sociology through the following key theories: | ||
| − | + | ===Conflict Theory=== | |
| − | + | Key Figures: Karl Marx, Frederich Engels, Max Weber | |
| − | + | ===Functionalism=== | |
| − | + | Key Figures: Emile Durkheim | |
| − | + | ===Symbolic Interactionism=== | |
| − | + | Key Figures: George Herbert Mead | |
| + | ===Feminist Theory=== | ||
| + | Key Figures: Harriet Martineau | ||
==Top Ten Most Influential Books== | ==Top Ten Most Influential Books== | ||
Revision as of 02:25, April 7, 2007
Sociology is a branch of Social Sciences concerned with the study of human behiaviour, specifically in social relations, using the scientific method of observation. Sociology, with psychology, is at the crux of the long standing Nature vs. Nurture debate. Sociology represents nurture and psychology represents nature.
History
The term sociology was coined by [Auguste Comte] in 1839. Comte is also the father of [positivism]. [1] Comte's theory of positivism limits knowledge to the observable, and is crucial in approaching sociology as a science. The study of society dates back to Greek philosophers, however it was not distinguished as its own field of study until Comte.
Key Theories
There are a number of formative theorists who laid the groundwork for sociology, who have had a great deal of influence in Sociology through the following key theories:
Conflict Theory
Key Figures: Karl Marx, Frederich Engels, Max Weber
Functionalism
Key Figures: Emile Durkheim
Symbolic Interactionism
Key Figures: George Herbert Mead
Feminist Theory
Key Figures: Harriet Martineau
Top Ten Most Influential Books
- Max Weber, Economy and Society
- C. Wright Mills, The Sociological Imagination
- Robert Merton, Social Theory and Social Structure
- Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
- P.L. Berger and T. Luckmann, The Social Construction of Reality
- Pierre Bourdieu, Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgment of Taste
- Norbert Elias, The Civilizing Process
- Jürgen Habermas, The Theory of Communicative Action
- Talcott Parsons, The Structure of Social Action
- Erving Goffman, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life
Source: Books of the Century
Professional Organizations
- American Sociological Association
- Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association
- International Sociological Association
References
- ↑ Pickering, M. (2007). Auguste Comte. In J. Scott (Ed.), Fifty key sociologists: the formative theorists (pp. 21-26). New York: Routledge.