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Introducing Sociological Theory - Understanding Social Change (seminar 1)
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  • Course
  • Understanding Social Change (SOC020C130)
  • Institution
  • University Of Roehampton (RU)

Seminar notes to week 1 of the module Understanding Social Change. This is a Sociology degree module. Topics covered: Introduction to theory, The Enlightenment, Structure/Agency, Jogging in the park - is that structure or agency? Person in a suit queuing for the bus to work - is that structure or a...

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Document information

  • April 10, 2021
  • 6
  • 2020/2021
  • Class notes
  • -
  • Introducing sociological theory

Subjects

  • social change
  • sociology
  • social theory
  • sociological theory
  • the enlightenment
  • structure
  • agency
  • social order
  • conflict
  • consensus
  • modernity
  • understanding social change

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  • University of Roehampton (RU)
  • University of Roehampton
  • Understanding Social Change (SOC020C130)
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Module: Understanding Social Change


Seminar 1 – Introducing Theory


You can’t understand society unless you have a theory about it.

Theory helps you to see why things are created and why certain ways are adopted.

Theories are essential.


The Enlightenment
 Moving away from religion towards science

 The English civil war was an important moment

 Relying on reason rather than rigid doctrines

 The Enlightenment Era was the era of man's emergence from his self-imposed
misguidedness towards scientific and independent exploration.

 Enlightenment is a different way of understanding society

 The King was supposed to be the god embodiment on earth

 It changed the politics, the arts (people expressing themselves in different ways).

 It caused a fundamental change in society

 It was about reason rather than religion

 It allowed modernity to come about – it brought about urbanisation,
industrialisation, capitalism, scientific thinking and logic.

 What does Capitalism mean? It is an economic system. It was not one that was
originally planned. It kind of came about as an accident.

 Who was the creator on the notion of Capitalism? Adam Smith


Structure/Agency
 There are different levels of looking at things

 Structure – macro level of looking at society, grand theories in society.

,  Agency – micro level, individuals and how they themselves experience and cope
with day to day life in society.

 When discussing the structure (macro theory) of a scenario, you’re referring to
how it relates to large-scale issues and large groups of people. Whereas when
discussing at very specific relationships between individuals or small groups, the
agency (micro theory) of a scenario, you’re referring to very specific relationships
between individuals or small groups.


Women jogging in the park – Structure?
 Feels free to help herself both physically and mentally

 She keeps running, minding her own business

 Jogging is a sport in its own right

 Pressure of the society to exercise and stay fit

 She wants the perfect body to fit into society

 It was not an important structural issue of the day back then

 Gain good health through keeping fit

 During this pandemic, we have been advised to exercise which is more for the
benefit of the health of society.


Women jogging in the park – Agency?

 She wants to improve her fitness and health

 She’s jogging for her own pleasure. She’s not motivated by external things.

 She wants the perfect body to feel comfortable with herself.

 She wants to self-improve

 Doing it for our own needs rather than because society tells me to do so.


Person in a suit queuing for the bus to work – Structure?
 Queuing is a structural issue in society. Queuing in a line maintains social order.

 Society expects you to have a good job

 Person has to work to earn money

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