Author: admin

Write A detailed case study “specify which A detailed case study with national or international phenomena created from mass socialization. Contribution to interrelated concepts and terminologies of sociology should be attractive.
A presentation of the same topic should be submitted accordingly.  (LO 3 + LO 4) 
Preferably to 1- be supported by the theories that have been studied.  
2- Having a thesis statement
3- Findings  
Contribution to interrelated concepts and terminologies of sociology should be attractive.
Should be supported by the theories that have been studied.
Having a thesis statement
Findings 
include: APA 7 References use suitable terminologies and theories below:
Principles of Sociology – Lecture 1
Definitions of Sociology:
·       Sociology is a literary material. A topic that interconnected with different cultures and generates the desire study patterns of human behavior and different social concepts of social life.
·       Sociology is the study of human behavior within society and the consequences of those behaviors.
·       Ongoing process of coordination and attachment to individuals ‘activities. (Sociologist Dorothy Smith)
·       It is the briefest of every interaction between groups and organizations, societies and social interactions and studying all their aspects.
Importance of Sociology:
·       Socialization is the lifelong process through which people learn the values and norms of a given society and describes the ways that people come to understand norms and values.
·       Socialization is not the same as socializing. The later (to mix socially with others) The former is more elaborated, and socializing is an element of socialization.
·       It is through socialization that we learn language.
·       Societies depend on socialization to ensure survival.
·       Socialization is critical to both individuals and society and provides the means through which we can gradually see ourselves through the eyes of others.
Purpose of Sociology:
·       Sociologists focus their study on the role of society and social interaction in self- development.
Goals of Sociology:
·       Gaining insights to nature of human beings, including how it influences and influenced by society.
·       When who we are depends on nature, our temperaments, interests, and talents are set before birth.
·       When the relationships and environment that surround us is responsible for who we are, this is the result of nurture.
Highly main branches of sociology and link between sociology and its other branches:
1)     Economic Sociology
§  The application of sociological concepts and methods to analysis of the production, distribution, exchange, and consumption of goods and services.
2)     Political Sociology
§  There is a strong link between political science and sociology, due to the strong correlation between social conditions and the political conditions of society, for example, the sound social structure of society (a small rich class – a huge middle class – a poor class with a few) reflects positively on the political stability of society and vice versa, severe class inequality (inflation of the poor class and erosion of the middle class) leads to political instability.
3)     Theoretical Sociology
4)    Sociology of Knowledge
§  Researchers and theorists focus on knowledge and knowing as socially grounded processes, and how, therefore, knowledge is understood to be a social production.
5)     Criminology
§  scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment.
6)     Social sociology
§  Theoretical perspective based on the assumption that social systems such as society and the family exist, whereas culture, social structure, statuses, and roles are real Reward and punishment.
Society:
§  A group of people who live in a defined geographic area, who interact with one another, and a who share a common culture is what sociologists call a society.
·       Example: Different tribes in Egypt, we almost have 11 tribes. They are distributed in south Sinai, gulf of Aqaba. Whereas cach ot shem is characterized by their own norms, traditions, and rituals.
§  This would be in terms of laws, morals, values. Religion, beliefs, customs, fashions, rituals, and culture rules that govern their social lives. In Which their consequences, will alter affect family norms especially children and teenagers.
§  In matter that those traditions tuned to laws.
What is the difference between sociology and psychology?
§  Sociology and psychology are closely related disciplines that complement each other in understanding human behavior and social phenomena.
§  Although, they have some differences as follows:
1)     Sociology: focuses on Groups> They investigate how social interactions, institutions, and systems shape behavior.
2)     Psychology: focuses on individuals> It examines emotions that drive behavior.
§  Psychology is the study of mind and behavior. Its subject matter includes the behavior of humans and nonhumans, both conscious and unconscious phenomena, and mental processes such as thoughts, feelings, and motives.
§  Psychologists aim to understand the mental processes behind behavior, both at the individual and group levels.
§  Sociology looks beyond individuals and studies society, social behavior, and social institutions. It provides a broader perspective by examining the influence of social structures, cultural norms, and societal factors on individuals and groups.
Lecture 2
Introduction:
o   The term sociology was first coined in 1780 by the French essayist Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès (1748-1836) and in 1838, the term was reinvented by Auguste Comte (1798-1857). Comte believed that societies and human behavior were best understood using the same scientific methods used to study the natural world.
o   Which accordingly generates special sociological definitions.
Founders Of Sociology:
Max Weber (1864- 1920)
o   He reasoned that the level of prestige associated with one’s education and occupation, as well as one’s political group affiliations, in addition to wealth, combine to create a hierarchy of people in society.
o   Groups in society are in constant struggle for control of scarce resources.
o   Inequalities established by the dominate class – who conflicts.
Assumptions:
o   Social structures come by consensus.
o   Society like organism with interacting parts.
o   Stability is the main criterion.
Karl Marx
The Ideal of the Classless Society
o   Marx believed that all society progressed through class struggle.
o   Society was run by the wealthy upper class for their sole benefit.
o   He believed that, eventually, this would cause enough tension among the classes and the structure of society would collapse.
o   This collapse of society would lead to self-destruction.
o   History is considered a history of class struggles. This conflict arises between the bourgeois classes (owners of capital) and the proletariat (workers) who sell their power.
o   He believes that the accumulation of wealth at one pole of society leads to the accumulation of poverty at the other.
o   He believes that it is the awareness of poverty that makes the revolution.
o   In turn, this would pave the way for a new system, called socialism.
o   Marx thought that under socialism the working class would govern society. However, he believed that with economics being the force behind sociology, this system of socialism would not last long.
Emile Durkheim
o   Mechanical solidarity: social cohesiveness of small, undifferentiated societies. e.g., religious groups.
o   Organic solidarity: social cohesiveness of societies differentiated by a relatively complex division of labor. Division of labor creates organic solidarity in modern society. e.g., in modern industrial society interact in manufacturing, agriculture, finance, etc.
Saint Simon
o   Saint Simon’s theory emphasized the need for harmony and social order lost after the French Revolution, with freedom, equality, fraternity, and love of one’s neighbor as fundamental principles, envisioning an ideal society as egalitarian, democratic, and organized around corporations to resolve conflicts and interests.
Auguste Comte
o   The theory of positivism posits that all genuine knowledge must be empirically based. According to Comte, societies evolve in well-defined stages to the point where they strive for the truth through the scientific method.
o   What are the three stages of Auguste Comte?
•       The three stages of the evolution of society are the theological stage, the metaphysical stage, and the positive stage.
•       Through these stages, society progresses from belief in the will of God to truth offered by scientific knowledge.
Implications of sociology
Positivism
o   Positivism describes an approach to the study of society that specifically utilizes scientific evidence like as experiments, statistics to reveal a truth about the way society operates and functions.
o   It is based on the assumption that it is possible to observe social life and establish reliable, valid knowledge about how it works.
E.g., Using mathematical and statistics to prove a phenomenon.
o   The term was born during the 19th century when Auguste Comte revealed his ideas in his books The Course in Positive Philosophy and A General View of Positivism.
Modern Positivism
o   Modern Positivism is a philosophical perspective that emerged in the early 19th century.
o   Modern positivism emphasizes empirical evidence, scientific methods, and the rejection of metaphysical doctrines in the pursuit of knowledge.
Metaphysics
o   The branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, identity, time, and space: “they would regard the question of the initial conditions for the universe as belonging to the realm of metaphysics or religion.”
o   Abstract theory with no basis in reality: example the body … mind… consciousness.
Ontology
o   In philosophy, ontology is a branch of metaphysics which deals with such fundamental questions as “what exists?” and “what does it mean to exist?”. Ontology is metaphysics at its most abstract — concerned with the study of existence and reality itself — and so it is foundational to much philosophical thought.
Cosmology
o   The science of the origin and development of the universe. Modern cosmology is dominated by the Big Bang theory, which brings together observational astronomy and particle physics.
Key Aspects:
§  Origin: Cosmology investigates how the universe began, including the explosive event known as the Big Bang.
§  Expansion: On a grand scale, cosmology reveals a remarkable feature — the cosmological expansion — where galaxies move away from each other as the universe expands.
§  Evolution: It explores how galaxies, stars, and other cosmic structures formed and evolved
§  over billions of years.
Distinction from Astronomy:
o   Astronomy focuses on studying celestial, law objects and phenomena beyond Earth.
o   Cosmology specifically examines the universe’s overall properties and its vastness.
In summary, cosmology invites us to ponder the cosmic tapestry, weaving together the threads of space, time, and matter, as we seek to unravel the universe’s deepest secrets.
What is epistemology?
o   It is the story of knowledge > It is concerned with the mind relation to reality.
Ontology vs. Epistemology: is it a conflict?
There actually isn’t a conflict between ontology and epistemology.
The two philosophical approaches can overlap or even support one another.
Let’s look at the big question of God. Is there a God?
The basic question “does God exist?” is an ontological question.
How we answer that question is epistemology.
For example: One way to look at the question of God is to use reason. Some people will use reason to justify a God and others to justify atheism.
Another way to look at the question is through experience. Someone who has had a mystical experience will use their experience as the basis to answer the question: Is there a God?
A person who feels they have had the experience of God does not need or care about “reason” because they feel their actual experience has answered the question.
Effect of human behavior on society.
Affect – Cognition – Behavior.
•       Conformity.
•       Compliance.
•       Obedience.
•       Compromise.
•       Co-Operation and Competition.
Lecture 3
Introduction
§  Power imbalances rooted deep within societies cut people off from the decisions that most affect their lives.
§  Social and behavior change (SBC) aims to lower structural barriers that hinder people from adopting positive practices, and hinder societies from becoming more equitable, cohesive, and peaceful.
A Social Transformation
o   The process by which an individual alters the socially ascribed social status of their parents into a socially achieved status for themselves (status transformation).
o    Large scale social change as in cultural reforms or transformations (societal transformation).
o    It is used with sociology to characterize the process of social change either in individual’s ascribed social status 0r in social structures such as institutional relationship, habits, norms and values, societal transformation refers to a wider set of societies structural changes.
Five dimensions of social transformation
These dimensions shape and influence the course of human development.
1)     Political Dimension: This pertains to the evolution of governance structures, power dynamics, and political institutions within a society. Changes in political systems, ideologies, and citizen participation fall under this dimension.
2)     Technological Dimension: Advances in technology significantly impact social transformation. Innovations, digitalization, automation, and changes in communication methods all contribute to this dimension.
3)     Economic Dimension: The economic aspect focuses on shifts in production, distribution, and consumption patterns. It includes transformations in economic systems, technological advancements, trade, and wealth distribution.
4)     Cultural Dimension: Cultural changes encompass beliefs, values, norms, and practices. As societies evolve, cultural shifts occur in areas such as art, language, religion, and social customs.
5)     Demographic Dimension: Demographic changes involve population dynamics, migration, urbanization, and shifts in birth and death rates. Understanding how societies adapt to demographic shifts is crucial for social transformation.
Importance of social transformation
o   It can result in positive social change. 
o   Improving human and social conditions.
What are challenges to social transformation?
1)     Resistance to Change: People often resist altering established norms and traditions. Overcoming this resistance requires effective communication and education.
2)     Developing an activist culture for political non-violence.
3)     Resisting pressure from group members and others to restart violence as the peace unfolds and in the transition.
When does social Transformation Occur?
§  Social change is a multifaceted process influenced by historical context, cultural shifts, technological advancements, and the collective efforts of individuals and groups. 
§  It shapes our societies, values, and institutions, ultimately leading to progress and transformation.
§  It’s often triggered by changes in an organization’s environment. This type of change can be challenging, but it can also lead to significant improvements in performance.
Examples
§  The feminist movement
§  The Civil Rights movement
§  The abolition of the transatlantic slave trade
Types of social behaviour
§  Altruism: acting selflessly in the interest of others even at risk of oneself.
§  Communication: connecting with people by conveying information to others through verbal and non-verbal cues.
§  Friendship
§  Aggression: anti-social behaviour.
§  Conformity: changing behaviour to fit in.
§  Cooperation
§  Acceptance: accepting people as distinct individuals rather that needing strict adherence to a shared identity.
§  Obedience
§  Tolerance: getting along without clinging a common idea.
§  Deception: mislead truth.
Human Behaviour and society  
§  A social behaviour is stimulated by the society which again stimulates other members of the group or society. Any act which has been influenced by the society and also influences the society is called social act.
For instance, when a child laughs and others react to it, that laughter becomes a social behaviour. Similarly, a poem written by a poet that is published and influences others’ behaviour is also considered a social act.
Examples of human behaviour on society
§  Active listening
§  Deferring to people in authority
§  Making eye contact with people during conversation
§  Respecting elders
§  Asking for permission in class
Lecture 4
Introduction
–       Scientific research indicates that social interactions are vital to good health.
–       Good social support from your friends and family help with difficult situations and unexpected changes in life.
Meaning of theory perspective
–       A theoretical perspective or more briefly, a “theory” is not just an idea that someone has.
–       Rather it is a structural framework, explanation, or tool that has been tested and evaluated over time.
–       Theories are developed and utilized via scholarship, research, discussion, and debate.
Perspectives of Sociology and Examples:
1)     Interactionist perspective
§  performing of gender.
§  Self-introducing in social media.
2)     Conflict perspective
§  worker-capitalist conflict, worker vs tenant disputes.
§  Scarcity of recourses.
§  who benefits.
3)     Functionalist perspective
§  family is a societal structure that provides for the reproduction and protection of children.
§  circle of work.
4)     Feminist theory
§  Analyzes the status of women and men in society with the purpose of using that knowledge to better women’s lives.
§  Feminist theory is most concerned with giving a voice to women and highlighting the various ways women have contributed to society, e.g., giving females more places in parliament.
5)    Symbolic Interactionism
§  Is a micro level theory that focuses on meanings attached to human interactions. Both verbal and non-verbal and to symbols.
§  Communication is the exchange of meaning through language and symbols is believed to be the way in which people make sense of their social worlds. e.g., body language.
Correct concepts of social life
o   Social life encompasses activities that occur in the public or community sphere, as opposed to private life, which includes what happens within the home or family.
1)    individualism 
§  Emphasis on Individual rights and freedom over the interest of society.
2)    Collectivism
§  Prioritizing society over the individual such that everyone is required to do what is decided by power structure.
3)    Social constructivism
§  An approach to sociology that views social reality constructed with languages.  
4)    Social Deviance
§  Behavior and beliefs that violate social norms, values, or rules.
5)    Social Loafing
§  A tendency to reduce effort when part of a group.
Lecture 5
Sociology allows us to examine patterns and process of inequality and the structure and dynamics of social hierarchies and power relations.
Through Research and Case Study
What is the difference between Research and Case study
•       Action research focuses on solving the immediate problem whereas, case studies focus on a particular phenomenon for a longer period of time.
•       Action research method emphasis on solving the problem whereas case study method emphasis on observing, analysing, and interpreting a particular phenomenon or scenario.
Research 
Casa Study
It is a way which bridges the gap between educational theory and professional practice by improvising their current practices.
The practitioner will observe what happens and then identify an issue or problem that they need to address.
•       It explores a contemporary prodigy within its real-life context and provides an organised way of observing the events, collecting data, analysing information, and reporting the results.
•       The case study method focuses on the description or exploration of a particular phenomenon, rather than identifying the cause and effect.
•       Case studies is categorised in 3 ways: exploratory, explanatory and descriptive.
•       Exploratory case studies explore any event in the data which serves as a point of interest to the researcher. For example, a researcher conducting an exploratory case study on an individual’s learning process may ask questions, such as, “Does a student use any strategies when he learns a text?” This type of question results in further examination of the phenomenon. 
•       On the other hand, the explanatory case study examines the data carefully and explains the phenomenon occurred in the data.
•       Descriptive case studies describe the natural phenomena which occur within the data. For example, what are the strategies used by the learner? etc. 
•       Case studies are useful as they help the researcher to analyse the data at a small level but there is a tendency for the researcher to be biased at the time of interpreting the data. 
Lecture 6
People are not equal in abilities and this requires a difference in achievement which accordingly requires recognition of the difference. 
Class is a normal phenomena in society. Meanwhile people should differentiate  between class and class discrimination.
1-Social Stratification
§  Social Stratification refers to the way that society is structured in to different levels or strata, based on factors such as wealth, income, education, occupation, and social levels.
§  Stratification of societies on hierarchal basis into social categories or social strata
§  Social strata: All societies are stratified on a hierarchal basis into social categories.
§  These strata are typically defined on the basis of characteristic such as back ground, occupation, and income
All societies are stratified to some degree, they differ into two related ways:-
1- First, they differ from each other with regard to the degree of mobility between social strata.
2- Second, they differ with regard to the significance attached to social strata business contexts.
Moving between strata 
Definition of mobility
It is the foundation for living a healthy and independent life, It compromises all the skills required for every day living.
Definition of social mobility
Ability of individuals to change positions within a social stratification system..
Degree of mobility
Social Mobility
§  Refers to the extent to which individuals can move out of the strata into which they are born. Social mobility varies significantly from society to society. 
§  The most rigid system of stratification is a caste system
Caste system 
§  is a closed system of stratification in which social position is determined by the family into which a person is born, and change in that position is usually not possible during an individual’s lifetime
Class System
§  is a less rigid form of social stratification in which social mobility is possible. It is a form of open stratification in which the position of a person has by birth can be changed through his or her own achievements or luck.
Difference between strata and Class
Strata: 
Different layers of society group based on income education poverty or many other indexes to show gaps in and between societies.
Class:
Closed groups which both have broad similarities like urban class, poor class, labour clas, etc
Lecture 7
Culture
§  Culture is a concept that encompasses the social behaviour,  institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups. 
§  Culture is often originated from or attributed to a specific region or location.
Meaning of Culture
§  Culture is a complex whole that includes knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, law, customs, and other capabilities acquired by people as members of society.
§  Another definition of culture comes from sociologists Hofstede and Weber, who see culture as a system of ideas and argue that these ideas constitute a design for living.
Culture and Types of Social Interaction
Culture is a system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people and that when taking together constitute a design for living.” 
•       This living constitutes social interaction as follows:-  
•       Conflict: deliberate attempt to control a person by force to oppose someone or to harm another person.  
•       Competition: two or more people or groups working together in opposition to achieve a goal that only one can attain.
•       Exchange—interacting in an effort to receive a reward or a return for one’s actions.
•       Cooperation—two or more people or groups working together to achieve a goal that will benefit more than one of them.
•       Accommodation—a state of balance between cooperation and conflict
Types of Societies
Preindustrial: food production is the main economic activity; can be subdivided according to the level of technology and the method of producing food.
Industrial: emphasis shifts from the production of food to the production of manufactured goods, made possible by changes in production methods.
Postindustrial: much of the economy is involved in providing information and services.
–  The determinants of culture
Social Structure: refers to a society’s basic social organization.
The role of education in culture: formal education is the medium through which individuals learn many of the language, conceptual, and mathematical skills that are indispensable in a modern society.
Religious and ethical systems: 
•       Religion: may be defined as a system of shared beliefs and rituals that are concerned with the realm of the sacred.
•       Ethical systems: refer to a set of moral principles, or values that are used to guide and shape behavior. Most of the world’s ethical systems are the product of religions.
Economic Factors: Wealth, poverty, and economic systems influence culture. Economic stability affects art, leisure, and consumption patterns.
Language and Communication: 
Language is a powerful cultural determinant. It shapes how we express ourselves, share knowledge, and connect with others. Different languages carry unique nuances and perspectives.
Norms:
These unwritten rules govern our behaviour within a community. They dictate how we interact, dress, eat, and even express emotions. Social norms differ from one culture to another.
Lecture 8
Politics
The concept of power derives its meanings and theoretical roles from the theories in which it is embedded. Hence, there is no one concept of power, no single understanding of power, even if these understandings stand in relation to each other.         
1-    Political Institution
Political institutions are the essential components of a government that create, enforce, and apply laws. These institutions play a crucial role in shaping the functioning of a society. 
2-    Types of Power
Coercive Power: This type of power relies on fear and punishment. Leaders who wield coercive power use threats, penalties, or negative consequences to influence others. However, it can create resentment and damage relationships
Reward Power: Leaders with reward power have the ability to provide incentives, rewards, or positive outcomes. It encourages compliance and cooperation from team members. Examples include promotions, bonuses, or recognition
Legitimate Power: Also known as positional power, this comes from a leader’s formal position or authority within an organization. It’s based on the hierarchical structure and the role assigned to the leader. People follow because they recognize the leader’s position
Relationship between politics and sociology
•       There is a strong link between political science and sociology, due to the strong correlation between social conditions and the political conditions of society, for example, the sound social structure of society (a small rich class -.
•       a huge middle class – a poor class with a few) reflects positively on the political stability of society and vice versa, severe class inequality (inflation of the poor class and erosion of the middle class) leads to political instability.
3- Authority
is abilities to have one’s will carry out despite the resistance of others.
According to max weber, herby the types of authority
•  Charismatic authority. Charismatic authority is relatively unstable because the authority held by a charismatic leader may not easily extend to anyone else after the leader dies
•  The Civil Rights movement
•  Traditional authority
Lecture 9
Crime and deviance
Crime and deviance are related concepts, but they have distinct meanings.
1-    Crime
is a behavior that violates official law and is punishable through formal sanctions.
Not all crimes are given equal weight. Society generally socializes its members to view certain crimes as more severe than others.
For example, most people would consider murdering someone to be far worse than stealing a wallet and would expect a murderer to be punished more severely than a thief.
What are the causes of crime:
The most common characteristics of crime-prone neighborhoods were poverty, unemployment, and income inequality. 
These factors can lead to the presence of gangs and/or other criminal organizations that further exacerbate crime. 
2-    Definition of Deviance
Deviance is a violation of social norms, it is not always punishable, and it is not necessarily bad.
Societal influences, such as norms, values, laws, and expectations, which may vary from one culture to the next and define what is deviant.
Causes of Deviance
Genetics, personality, upbringing, and environment, which may influence one’s predisposition to deviant behaviors.
Personal factors, such as experiences, attitudes, habits, and appearance, which may affect one’s opportunities and self-esteem.
Social location, such as class, race, gender, and age, which may shape one’s access to resources and power.
Based on the above, there is a strong relation between crime and both poverty/ homelessness  
Crime and deviance are learned from the environment and enforced or discouraged by those around us.
Criminology: The scientific study of crime and criminals.