Section Overview
This section of Fundamentals of Sociology offers a thorough overview of the field’s development, beginning with its roots in the Age of Enlightenment and the influential work of thinkers such as John Locke, Voltaire, Immanuel Kant, and Thomas Hobbes. It examines the foundational contributions of Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Georg Simmel, highlighting their key theories and shaping roles in establishing sociology as a distinct academic discipline.
The section also explores the various research methods used in sociology, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches, and emphasizes the field’s interdisciplinary nature, drawing from areas such as psychology, anthropology, economics, and political science. Additionally, it addresses modern sociological topics such as differences in social outcomes, cultural expectations, and community dynamics, offering valuable insights into how sociology helps us analyze and understand the forces that influence society.
Reading Assignment for Section 1.2
Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 1.2: History of Sociology.
What You Will Learn
In this section, you will explore the rich history of sociology and examine the key thinkers and ideas that have shaped the discipline. You’ll study the contributions of major sociological theorists such as Durkheim, Marx, Weber, and Simmel. You’ll also learn to distinguish between quantitative and qualitative research methods and understand how sociology incorporates insights from related fields such as psychology, anthropology, economics, and political science. Finally, you’ll analyze contemporary sociological topics, including variations in social opportunity, cultural expectations, group identity, and the ways societies adapt and change over time.
Student Learning Outcomes for Section 1.2
- SLO 1: Students will identify key figures and ideas that contributed to the development of sociology.
- SLO 2: Students will analyze the work of foundational sociological theorists, including Durkheim, Marx, Weber, and Simmel.
- SLO 3: Students will distinguish between quantitative and qualitative research methods used in sociology.
- SLO 4: Students will understand how sociology integrates concepts from psychology, anthropology, economics, and political science.
- SLO 5: Students will examine current sociological topics such as differences in social outcomes, cultural expectations, group identity, and the ways societies adapt over time.
Modification History File Created: 05/07/2023 Last Modified: 06/26/2023
This work is licensed under an Open Educational Resource-Quality Master Source (OER-QMS) License.
