This document summarizes the key concepts from an introductory sociology course, including final thoughts on how sociological insights can be used to create positive change. It then profiles several influential sociological thinkers like Auguste Comte, who is considered the "father of sociology," Karl Marx, founder of Marxism, and Jane Addams, who created settlement houses to help immigrants. The profiles discuss their major theories about topics like social order, class conflict, and social reform.

1. Introduction to Sociology

2. Week 6: Tying it all together

3. AFTERWARD
Final thoughts-
• “The good news is that, if you are of a mind to save the world or just
make it a little better, having a sociological imagination can help you
succeed. Anthropologist Margret Mead is reputed to have said that we
should “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
If those citizens exercise their sociological imaginations in the process,
it ups their chance of success.

4. MEET THE MASTERS
Auguste Comte
Positivism; Functionalist- "father of sociology"-
Wondered what holds a society together; A founder of
sociology Purpose of new science would be to discover social
principles and apply them to social reform, suggested to apply
scientific method to social world
Jane Addams
Social worker in the 19th century who was instrumental in
creating the settlement house movement (Hull House) as a
resource for preparing immigrants to live in a new society.

5. MEET THE MASTERS
Karl Marx
German philosopher, founded of Marxism: theory that class
conflict is the motor force driving historical change &
development. Criticized capitalism
Father of Communism; The Communist Manifesto
Predicted the class division caused
by the industrial revolution
*Elite class - bourgeoisie, working
class - proletariat; inequality &
exploitation
Herbert Spencer
Considered the father of Social Darwinism who coined the
phrase "survival of the fittest."
Asserted that different species or races were elevated
because of the greater number of associations their brains
could make

6. MEET THE MASTERS
Albert Einstien
German physicist
Developed the theory of relativity, which states that time, space,
and mass are relative to each other and not fixed created
uncertainty by rejecting Newtonian physics.
Work later led to the creation of the atomic bomb.
Stephen Hawking
Developed the theory of singularity, in the beginning the
earth was concentrated at a single point making a very
small, dense body. His research was focused on black
holes.

7. MEET THE MASTERS
Max Weber
Strong believer in "Rationality” Wrote "The Protestant Ethic
and the Spirit of Capitalism” Work ethic is mandated by God
1864-1920
Emile Durkheim
How social forces affect people's behavior.
Compared suicide rates in different countries.
People who are less socially integrated are more likely to kill
themselves.

8. MEET THE MASTERS
W.E.B. Dubois
Influential black leader who demanded for both social and
economic equality for blacks immediately; founded the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
in 1909.
Robert Merton
Created the Anomie Theory. This theory refers to the
confusion that arises when social norms conflict or don't even
exist.

9. MEET THE MASTERS
C. Wright Mills
Published The Power Elite, which looked at social class of
leaders in major areas of influence and found that they act in
ways that serve their interest in maintaining the existing
stratification system and their position in it.