Sociology is the science of society, its connections, structural features and functioning. In the process of studying its complex systems, patterns of human behavior are revealed and the interaction of the individual and society is explained. The main task of sociology is the prediction of events and their management.
History of the development of science
The beginning of the origin of science dates back to ancient times. The topics in the sociology of that time were completely different. Then philosophers tried to find answers to questions related to society and its phenomena. Thinkers were interested in why people in this or that situation act in this way, and not otherwise. They compared individuals of different nationalities and tried to build scientific hypotheses that explain social phenomena.
You can prepare reports on the history of sociology on the following topics:
- Sociology in antiquity.
- Sociology in the Middle Ages.
- Sociology in the Renaissance.
- Sociology of the New Age.
- The first attempts to describe society.
- Sociology of O. Comte.
- Sociology and positivism.
- Sociology S. Saint-Simon.
Some scholars believe that sociology is a modern science that originates in the West.
But one thing is certain for sure: this science of society is divided into three stages.
Classical
The first stage is connected with the pre-industrial period, which ends at the beginning of the twentieth century. Topics on the sociology of this period are based on political changes in the country, the transition to a new economic order and the emergence of unusual for that time feminist movements. It is also worth noting that, starting from the nineteenth century, the pace of urbanization in the world is growing, and scientific revolution is eclipsing religion. Early sociology is called classical. It is based on the ideas that everything in the world is governed by the human mind. The main issue of science is the problem of social equilibrium and order.
You can write essays on the classical stage of development of sociology on the topics:
- Naturalism in sociology.
- Sociology G. Spencer.
- Social Darwinism.
- The social group of L. Gumplovich.
- Sociology of W. Sumner.
- Racial and Anthropological School.
- Sociology A. Gobino.
Transition
The second stage is the time interval between the two world wars. Sociology is undergoing global change. Scientists are moving "from words to deeds." If earlier the main function of this science was the construction of theories, now sociologists are engaged in practical activities. At this time, a large number of techniques are being developed based on the study of society and the use of acquired knowledge in building ways to influence social groups.
Coursework on the transitional stage of sociology, topics may include the following:
- Ferdinand Tennis Concept.
- The formal sociology of Georg Simmel.
- Max Weber and Understanding Sociology.
- Emil Durkheim is sociologism.
- Wilfredo Pareto - Theory of Elites.
- School of Chicago
- Columbia School.
Modern
This stage in the development of sociology begins at the end of World War II and continues to this day. The ideas of industrial society become fully formed, they are based on a clash of traditions and views of a modern person, in whose life there is no place for superstitions and stereotypes. Currently, the directions of modern sociology are quite extensive. If we single out the main ones, then it is worth mentioning an attempt to combine theories with empirical achievements, as well as the creation of completely new "anti-classical" schools and paradigms.
Topics for theses in modern psychology:
- Structurally functionalist paradigm.
- Behaviorism.
- Symbolic interactionism.
- Phenomenological sociology.
- Neo-Marxism of the Frankfurt School.
- Theory of Integral Synthesis.
- Constructive structuralism of Pierre Bourdieu.
Sociological thinking
Sociological thinking is a very special view of the world. The main method in this science is based on a vision of the general in any particular cases and on the establishment of patterns on the basis of conclusions drawn from the results. Despite the individual characteristics of each person individually, all people obey the uniform laws of behavior, and this is one of the main topics in sociology.
There is a concept of sociological imagination. It implies an approach to social behavior in which the contemplator can completely disengage from the usual way of life in order to be able to notice the “unusual” in everyday reality. To assess the features of this method, it should be remembered that the subject of sociology is, first of all, society and its interconnections. This approach allows us to understand the difference between social and cultural differences, as well as find the "engines" of society.
Actual topics in sociology
From the very beginning of science, sociologists have been interested in how much external social forces influence the ability of people to make decisions in their own lives and how a group of individuals was born. Is it a product of the actions of individuals or, on the contrary, the presence of society has given rise to the development of individual characteristics and abilities in humans? But some scientists believe that the subject of sociology is social action.
There are also two points of view about what a society is. Some suggest that it is full of harmony and order in its components. Others believe that society in sociology is a set of conflicts of small groups, and that these conflicts of interest are the framework on which society rests. In your work, you can compare two theories or develop the provisions of one of them.
Concepts in science
In sociology, there is the concept of social reality, which is understood as such a structure of space and time, which shows the relationship between different social positions at a particular moment in the event. To describe this term, the so-called social space is used, which is not real, but is trying to be realized in the physical world. Most of the scientists in this field define this structure as the result of social interactions and relationships. However, the opinions of some professors differ from these theories.
Paul-Michel Foucault introduced a system of disciplinary space in which he describes the idea that the method of organizing a social structure is only a manifestation of some form of control over groups of people.
At the same time, Yuri Lotman, an outstanding Soviet culturologist, looked at this concept in his own way. He divided social space into external and internal levels. It can be said that this is a semiotic process. The internal space is considered as organized, regulated. The external is considered chaotic and chaotic. The border between these two spaces is formal, it manifests itself through gestures and speech.