This video describes the historical development of sociology as a discipline. Featured are European pioneers like Karl Marx and Max Weber, as well as early twentieth-century American sociologists like W.E.B. Du Bois. It explains that from its early beginnings in Europe, sociology has evolved into a discipline embraced by cultures the world over.
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The sociological imagination is the ability to see individual behavior in the context of the social world. Using the concept of viewing a parade as a sociologist, this video focuses on a Mardi Gras parade in Lafayette, Louisiana. Observations on gender, class, culture and race can be made from analyzing a parade using this technique.
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In 1999, Elian Gonzales captured hearts and headlines all over the world. The story of this six-year old Cuban boy was charged with drama, including a fatal sea voyage, a rescued child, intense family disputes in Florida and Cuba, political protests and international tensions. The three sociological perspectives are used to explore these events in an attempt to achieve a rational, as opposed to an emotional, understanding of them.
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Functionalism. Conflict. Interactionism. Each sociological perspective provides a different view of the nature of social interaction. Functionalism examines how the various parts of society work together. Individuals are characterized by the major roles they play: government worker, mother, educator.
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In this video, sociologists talk about what makes sociology a discipline and what makes it unique.Sociology is the study of groups and group interactions, societies and social interactions, from small and personal groups to very large groups.
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A young sociologist explores the world of bluegrass music using qualitative research and ethnography. His investigation involves more than simply observing bluegrass groups and culture – he becomes an active participant in the music and its culture. This video explores the steps of the research method.
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Under what conditions does sexual harassment occur in the military? Using this question to guide their research, sociologists, Juanita Firestone and her husband, Richard Harris, use the quantitative approach to bring an objective focus to a controversial subject. This video explores the steps of the research method.
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This video explains why empirical research is important to the discipline of sociology. It compares and contrasts quantitative research and qualitative research.
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In this video, sociologists talk about what makes sociology a discipline and what makes it unique.Sociology is the study of groups and group interactions, societies and social interactions, from small and personal groups to very large groups. A group of people who live in a defined geographic area, who interact with one another, and who share a common culture is what sociologists call a society. Sociologists study all aspects and levels of society.
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Why do social groups behave the way they do? It’s a question sociologists have been trying to answer for more than a century. As this video explains, sociologists use empirical research methods and tools to ensure that their inquiries produce accurate and reliable findings. The use of these tools and methods in the exploration of social issues is what makes sociology a scientific discipline.
Material Type: Module
