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Principles of Sociology: American Culture

Soc 3AC Lecture 6: Social Theory
Nora C.R.Broege
nbroege@berkeley.edu

Durkheim D of L Solidarity

Modern, industrial,
society marked by
distinction,
differentiation,
specialization
Economy
dependent on
variety of jobs and
sectors

Division of
Labor

Morality
An equal society is a just
society
Spontaneous division of
labor
Differences/inequality put in
check by interdependence
just society

Social cohesion
Social integration
Collective
interdependence

Social
Solidarity

Durkheim On Education &

Society
n

Educational transformations social transformations

n

When old system is inadequate educational system must change

for society to remain stable and progress

Renaissance
n

16th C. man abandons gloomy ideals of Middle Ages

n But not completely the case bc literature and scholarship was
present during Middle Ages

More about profound changes to organization of European

societies not just discovery

Fundamental features of social life change people evolve their

mental outlook

Durkheim On Education &

Society
n

Discovery of America

Trade routes via the Indies

economic activity accrued wealth narrowing gap

btwn social classes (i.e. the aristocracy & the bourgeoisie)

Emergence of Bourgeoisie
n

Each social class wants to emulate/become the class above them

This also accompanies transformations in the world of ideas

+ Durkheim On Education &

Society
n

The needs of thought outweigh considerations of purity &

harmony
n

Thought has a new purpose beyond piety and privilege

Scholasticism taught reasoning & how to be self-confident

by confronting things with questions

Dogmatic thought conflicting opinions ok

n
n

Middle ages thought for the sake of crushing those who

disagreed or didnt know
Renaissance thought for the sake of discussion, debate
n In both of these phases thought is more abstract, not practical

Not everyone is ok with this though .

n
n

Scholastics considered barbarians

Questioning authority (i.e. the church not ok)

Durkheim On Education &

Society
n

Does scholasticism meet the needs of all?

n

Generalized education rooted in the classics does not meet the

needs of the majority

Medieval schools focused on preparing/training dreamers and

seekers

Most people need skills, lessons on survival

shift in scholasticism changes in the theory & practice of

education
n
n

Imbued w. practical, realistic, social spirit

Critical thinking

Durkheim On Education &

Society
n

The Jesuits

Possesses all the characteristics of the secular priest

n

does not live in seclusion of monastery

Open to the ideas that are dominant in the world

Shift in University system

n
n
n

Jesuits Ignatius Loyola

Incorporated to counter increasing threatening progress of
Protestantism
2 duties dual identity
n Action as priests (conservative, pious)
n Teaching (liberal, complex)

Jesuit Order
n

Goal of Jesuit education not acquainting people with classical

civilizations but with reading, writing, speaking
n
n
n
n

Put lessons in context

Classroom =~ society
Contact btwn pupil & educator
Educator must know pupil in order to best educate them

1st competitive collegiate system developed to great

intensity

competition

Diversified education

CONGRATULATIONS!
n

YOURE DONE WITH THE THEORY READINGS

n

Lets Review

Theory Review
n

The Big 3:
n

Marx, Weber, Durkheim

Marx (1818-1883)

Dynamic of
modernity

Capitalism

Transition from feudal/agrarian to

industrial society produces an
exploitative social dynamic

Unit of
analysis

Societal divisions

Bourgeoisie (owners, new emerging,

wealthy class)/control means of
production
Proletariat (workers, lowers class)/are
means of production

Takeaway

CLASS

Society is all about class divisions

Theory

Marxism

A view of society rooted in class

struggle, exploitation, alienation and
the evils of capitalism

Notes

The revolution didnt happen why?

Theory Review
Weber (1864-1920)

Dynamic of
modernity

Rationalization

Transition from rational & traditional

society to rational society

Unit of
analysis

Development of W.
society v. others;
cultural ideas and
values

- An equal society
- The social phenomena of
protestants being more involved in
business

Takeaway

BUREAUCRACY

A moral, equal, just society

Theory

Symbolic
Interactionism

- Everything is rooted in symbolism

- Specialization breeds
interdependence/interactions
btwn which are important

Notes

Webers conception of a just society doesnt match up well w.

modern, mass democracy

+ Theory Review
Durkheim (1858 -1917)
Dynamic of
modernity

Division of labor

Different historical periods are

marked by different forms of social
solidarity

Unit of
analysis

Social facts

Different ways of being, acting,

functioning
- Pre modern society/mechanical
solidarity
- Modern society/organic solidarity

Takeaway

SOLIDARITY

A moral, just, equal society is one

marked by organic solidarity (high
degree of social cohesion &
bonding)

Theory

Functionalism

Society is comprised of different

organisms/parts that each play a
specific role, function and all are
important

Notes

Equality not the same as equal/equilibrium all inequality is

natural (not social!)

Theory Review
n

The Big 3:
n

Marx, Weber, Durkheim

Marx

Weber

Durkheim

Dynamic of
modernity

Capitalism

Rationalization

Division of
labor

Unit of
analysis

Societal divisions

Development of W.
society v. others;
cultural ideas and
values

Social facts

Takeaway

CLASS

BUREAUCRACY

SOLIDARITY

Theory

Marxism

Symbolic
Interactionism

Functionalism

Time Frame

1818-1883

1864 1920

1858 - 1917

Sociobiography
n

In a 6 pg, double spaced, paper address the following

prompt:
How did your race/ethnicity, class, gender or any other salient
identities help/hinder the educational opportunities youve had up to
this point?

We will not cover all of these identities before the due date
so the bulk of this paper will be rooted in your own
experience and viewpoints

More details next week, in class