This document provides an introduction to sociology from Ray Brannon and discusses several key sociological concepts. It begins with an overview of how personal destinies are linked to broader societal structures. It then defines important terms like epistemology, paradigm, and paradigm shift. Finally, it notes that developing self-awareness and understanding how social forces shape us is important for becoming a critical thinker on sociological issues.

1. Introduction to Sociology
Ray Brannon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o

2. Trapped!!
Psycho –Social Interweave
• Personal destinies are linked to societal structures
• PA Study of Care for the Elderly
• Blinding pace of transformational change

3. A little about myself…
six kids and five grandchildren

4. A long time ago in a distant galaxy ……I began to program with IBM cards
on very big computers that didn’t have the power of your smart phone.

5. Retired President & CEO of
Choice Technologies

6. Ray Brannon, Ph.D. candiddate
www.inspectyourgadgets.com

7. The Challenge:
To become a critical thinker on sociologic
issues because …..
your personal history matters!!

8. • Locating yourself in the period in
which you live- how you are shaped
by society and how you can shape
society
• Link history and biography – three
generations
• My grandfather, father, me, son,
grandson

9. What is Epistemology?
What is a Paradigm?

10. Paradigm Shift:
The destruction an old theory by new facts and its
replacement as a new theory that fits the new facts.
Thomas Kuhn

11. What is a Paradigm Shift?

14. Changing Sociological Paradigms

15. Trapped by Self Deception and Assumptions

16. Developing Self and Social Consciousness
• Distinguishing personal problems from public
issues resulting from social structure
• Troubles versus issues: personal/ societal
• One mans death is a tragedy 45 people killed by
a terrorist blast is a statistic.

17. Did You Know?
We Are a Piece of the Social Puzzle