Lecture 1

Question 1

The English Revolution

Answer 1

1642-1649

Question 2

The French Revolution

Answer 2

1789-1799

Question 3

The Industrial Revolution

Answer 3

18th to the 19th century

Question 4

Rationalism

Answer 4

The rejection of God and the acceptance of knowledge coming from human reason

Question 5

Humanism (closely associated with rationalism)

Answer 5

Idea that humans are the center of the world, not God

Question 6

Voluntarism

Answer 6

The idea that we have free will and can make our own choices

Question 7

self reflexivity

Answer 7

The idea that we can reflect on ourselves, how we think and perceive the world

Question 8

Positivism

Answer 8

Refers to the goal of observing society scientifically to better the society, they mimic procedures of natural science
(Comte)

Question 9

Empiricism

Answer 9

Focuses on observation by using our senses, which uses a inductive way of thinking
(Newton, Frankle, Locke)

Question 10

Critical positivism

Answer 10

The key goal is to use scientific knowledge about society to change society ad emphasizes critical thinking guided by science and reason.
(Comte)

Question 11

sociological positivism

Answer 11

A reaction to critical positivism which is more conservative/traditional
Scientific knowledge is not dogmatic knowledge

Question 12

sociological positivism

Answer 12

A reaction to critical positivism which is more conservative/traditional
Scientific knowledge is not dogmatic knowledge

Question 13

Who are the founding fathers of sociology

Answer 13

Enrie du St Simon and student August Comte

Imagined society as organisms of the body

Question 14

Types of Sociological theory

Answer 14

Positivism
Interpretive theory
Critical theory

Question 15

What are the 2 key principles of positivism?

Answer 15

Determinism

Empiricism

Question 16

Determinism

Answer 16

The idea that one thing determines another thing; cause and effect and they look out for universal laws; nomothetic

Question 17

Empiricism

Answer 17

The view that all knowledge (apart from purely logical relations between concepts) is based on, or derives from, sensory experience

Question 18

What are positivists criticized for?

Answer 18

That positivist knowledge is very control oriented, about controlling social environments. The critics say that knowledge does not get produced outside of particular areas of interest.

Question 19

Interpretive theory

Answer 19

Cultural theorists are interested in what motivates us, they study social constructs and intersubjectivity and they are more cautious with objectivity; objectivity is a matter of social convention.
Associated with Weber

Question 20

Intersubjectivity idiographic

Answer 20

Concept that refers to share beliefs, aspects and cultures

Question 21

Critical Theory

Answer 21

Most critical to the idea of objective knowledge because truth and knowledge are tied to dominant classes; ideology is a belief system that creates illusions
Associated with Marx

Question 22

Proletariat or proletarian class

Answer 22

The working class that is dominated in capitalism

Question 23

Bourgeoisie or bourgeoi class

Answer 23

The capitalists/ruling class