1 of 9

Origins of Sociology

  • France, England & Germany late 1700s - 1800s
  • 3 major social changes...

​

2 of 9

1) Development of Modern Science

3 of 9

2) Political Change

4 of 9

3) The Industrial Revolution

5 of 9

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)

Positivism – scientific approach to knowledge

​

“Order and progress”

​

Goal of sociology is to understand society works

6 of 9

Karl Marx (1818-1883)�

Historical Materialism (sociology) should focus on the “ruthless critique of everything”

​

Concept of Social Class:

    • Bourgeoisie – owners of means of production
    • Proletariat – sell their labour

​

Called for revolution to bring about an end to class struggle

7 of 9

Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917)

  • 1st to call himself a sociologist & try to establish sociology as a discipline
  • Goal - to figure out “the causes of the general temporary maladjustment being undergone by European societies and remedies which may relieve it.”
  • Study social facts and social functions (see readings)

8 of 9

Other pioneers in sociology

  • Harriet Martineau: 1st woman sociologist
  • Nellie McClung: women’s rights (Canada)
  • W. E. B. Du Bois: racial inequality

9 of 9

Readings

https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology2ndedition/chapter/chapter-1-an-introduction-to-sociology/

​

Headings:

  • 1.2. The History of Sociology
    • Auguste Comte
    • Karl Marx
    • Harriet Martineau
    • Emile Durkheim