SOCIOLOGY

INTRODUCTION
Dr. James Loreto C. Piscos
 Main Sources/References
Ferrante, John. Sociology: A Global
Perspective, International Edition. USA:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2013. (used by
the Northern University of Kentucky as one
major source),
Schaefer, Richard. Sociology Matters. New
York: McGraw Hill, 2014.
 What is Sociology
scientific study of human activity in society.
it is a study of the social forces that affect the
things people do with and to one another
(Ferrante)
scientific study of social behavior and human
groups. It focuses primarily on the influence of
social relationships on peoples attitudes and
behavior and on how societies are established
and change. (Schaefer)
 The Sociological Imagination
Also termed as sociological consciousness
Peter Berger (1963) the wish to look inside
and learn more
Such as falling in love not falling in love only but
consider the various aspects of relationships
Wright Mills (1959) awareness of the
relationship between an individual and the
wider society both today and in the past.
 Key Element of Sociological
Imagination
the ability to view ones own society as an
outsider would, rather than only from the
perspective of personal experiences and
cultural biases.
a quality of mind that allows people to see
how remote and impersonal social forces
shape their life story or biography (Ferrante)
Go beyond personal experiences
Go beyond limited understanding of things
(empowering students)
 Engaging Works of Sociology
sociologists distinguish between troubles
which can be resolved by changing the
individual and issues which can be resolved
only by addressing the social forces that
created them. (Ferrante)
 Always Remember !!!

The term problem refers to an individual

concern or disturbance.

Problem becomes an issue when it

affects two or more individuals.
 Examples of Problems and Issues
Problem Issue

- Akiko is restless because - There is wide

she lost her job. unemployment in Akikos
community causing most of
its members to commit
suicide.
 Examples of Problems and Issues
Problem Issue

- Because of very low wages, - Unjust compensation in

Juan is unable to feed his Juans community results
kids with basic meals. to the malnutrition of the
workers children.
 Examples of Problems and Issues
Problem Issue

- Members of Marias family - Diarrhea-related deaths

died because of resulted from the absence
dehydration from diarrhea. of health facilities and
doctors in Marias
community.
 Doing Situational Analysis the Simple Way

1. Talk to the people in the community.

2. Get their views, especially the burning issues

3. Ask their perspectives in development.

4. Share your insights.

5. Synthesize the dialogue.

6. Document.
 Remember !!!

Always ask WHY?

 Other Valuable Information

1. Basic information about the Community: location,

land area, income class, annual approved budget
particularly allocation for social services.

2. Demography: population (by sex and age group) and

average household size.
 Other Valuable Information

3. Social Welfare and Development Profile: number of

families living below P100, incidences of abuse
against women, children and the elderly and disaster-
related information among others.

4. Social Welfare and Development Interventions:

available programs, projects and activities as well as
partners in delivering these services.
 Illustration

Engage your neighbors in a kuwentuhan.

Get their views and insights regarding community

issues which they see and feel.

What do they think of the government? the

existing social services? the programs introduced
in the community? the available health and
educational opportunities?

What are their suggestions for improvement?

 Sample Testimonies

From a mother with a sick infant in an informal

settlers community:

Kahit marami ang nagkakasakit rito, ayaw kami

ipagpatayo ng health center ng barangay. Dahil
squatters daw kami, wala kami karapatan
mabigyan ng serbisyo. Sa totoo lang, wala rin
kami kuryente, dalawang buwan na. Paggising
sa umaga madumi lagi ilong namin dahil sa usok
ng gasera.
 Sample Testimonies

From a church-based community worker

advocating for the safety of working children in
the Payatas dumpsite:

Mga bata dito isinasama ng mga magulang

manguha ng kalakal sa dumpsite. Wala kasi
mapag-iwanan sa bahay. Palagi ka may makikita,
mga 3 o 4 na taon, andun na sa taas. Marami na
ang namatay kung hindi natatabunan ng
basura, naaatrasan ng dump truck.
 Sociology an Integrated Science
Interdisciplinary the interdependence of
sciences where they are seen to be
interconnected and not isolated from each
other. There is a focal science to serve as a
lead.
(Refer to readings in Anthropology by Ember, Ember and Peregrine)

Multi-disciplinary the difference is there

are multiple interconnected sciences
examining in equal terms a certain issue or
object of analysis.
How Other Social Sciences in Aid in the
Studies of Sociology
Anthropology
History
Philosophy
Psychology and other social
and natural sciences