The first week of sociology
The first week focused on comprehending the term "sociology," including its definition, historical context, subfields, and current methods of study. Sociology is a field of study that primarily focuses on how people interact with one another and how social structures, classifications, and organizations can influence how they behave. These are the primary societal elements that are thought to be affecting each person's attitudes, deeds, and opportunities. The industrial revolution of the nineteenth century gave rise to sociology and had an impact on it. The study of sociology involves a variety of methodologies. The first approach is the macro-sociology which involves studying human beings and other aspects of the society in relation to a larger social system in which they belong. The second approach is the micro-sociology that involves analyzing the behaviors of a small group. In this approach, human interaction is examined on a small scale.
Different areas of sociology
Sociology is a very diverse field which must be well covered for a better understanding of basics. There are different areas of sociology that are aimed specifically for providing information about its meaning and scope. The areas involve; globalization, race and ethnicity, consumption, family, social inequality, knowledge, demography, health and illness, work and industry, education and religion. All these areas offer understanding regarding all aspects of society and how it affects human behavior.
The sociology of work and industry
The second week involved examining the role of science and technology as it relates to sociology of work and industry. This is aimed at bring into focus the idea that productive activity is the backbone of every society. This implies that human beings rely on production for their survival. Human beings have needs that need to be catered working is one way of doing so. Working involves putting more physical and mental effort so as to produce goods and services to meet human needs (Abbott, 1993). Work is the main basis of the economic system. It also involved analyzing the transition of the production processes and how it has impacted economy as well. The occupational structure is also considered as well as the impacts of the technology change in the demographics. It is also important to create workers' sense of self and identity and to determine the influence of work on families. Social inequality is another aspect of society that is directly related to work and its main roots must be studied so as to determine the main factors causing racial and gender discrimination and to develop ways of tackling them.
The sociology of race and ethnicity
The sociology of race and ethnicity was another big topic that was covered in the second week that mainly focuses on ways in which social, political and economic relations interact with the race and ethnicity in the society. This area of study focuses mainly on racial and ethnic identities, social relations and interactions cross racial and ethnic lines, stratification and segregation (Downey & Torrecilha, 1994). The most important for all is to determine ways in which race and ethnicity shape the identity creation for individuals and communities. This is because it will determine also the kind of social relations to create with people in the society. Racism has become part of very individual's everyday life and shapes everyone's trajectory life hence it is important to have a better understanding with regard to how it manifests itself so as to regulate it before it gets out of hand. Residential segregation has been the contemporary problem that originated from race and ethnicity hence it is very important to understand how it affects family wealth, economic well-being, education and access to healthy food and healthcare services. Understanding these facts will make it easier to identify ways of overcoming any negative effects.
The impacts of technology change
The third week involves understanding the impacts of the technology change. Technology has contributed a lot in bring changes in the industrialization processes. Technology came into existence through industrial revolution and it led to standardized production. This led to lowered prices of the commodities, improved quality, and maximization of the output. Technology shifted the production processes from traditional methods to mechanization. As a result a large number of people have been employed in huge factories due to the employment opportunities offered hence positively impacting the nature and growth of the economy.
Positive and negative changes from technology
There are many positive changes that have been noted with the technology change. Urbanization is one of the positive changes noted due to the technology change. Use of technology led to the huge growth of industries which in turn contributed to the growth of cities so as to accommodate them. People have moved to the cities developed in search of employment. Modernization is another positive change which has been noted due to the technology change. The introduction of technology enabled people to leave behind the traditional ways and adopt the modern ways of life. This has enabled give more importance to science and technology because it is what defines their lives. Technology has also led to the transformation of the economy. The mechanization of the production process shifted the agricultural economy into industrial economy. The rising industrial economy led to the division of the social organization into other social classes that led to the emerging of capitalist class, working class and also middle class (Malecki, 1997).
Technology did not only bring positive changes but also negative ones as well. One of them is the unemployment which is due to use of machines in other production processes. The technology advancement led to the introduction of the labor-saving machine which replaced human beings. Technology also brought in dangerous effects on the mode of warfare. It led to the development of the modern weapons which are very dangerous and have instilled fears and anxieties in human beings because it makes it easier to destroy the entire human race with these weapons.
Impact on social institutions
Social institutions have drastically been affected by technology change. It has radically changed family organization and the sanctity of marriage. It has negatively impacted social institutions and have led to the, losing its importance. Technology change has also brought in strains and stresses among social systems as they try hard to fit to the requirements of technology. It has also led to social lag due to the disequilibrium between old social organization and new technology. This implies that any kind of change may not well accepted by humans just as in the case of technology change.
References
Abbott, A. (1993). The sociology of work and occupations. Annual review of sociology, 19(1), 187-209.
Downey, D. J., & Torrecilha, R. S. (1994). Sociology of race and ethnicity: Strategies for comparative multicultural courses. Teaching Sociology, 237-247.
Malecki, E. J. (1997). Technology and economic development: the dynamics of local, regional, and national change.
