Sociology and Social Change

A combination of the Great Depression and tragic losses suffered during WWI help to contribute push America toward isolationism. Where the US should have asserted their role of world leadership they did not. Instead they retreated from involvement with other nations. Isolationists wanted no involvement in European and Asian conflicts or to be involved in international politics. Even though the United States did not involve themselves with military and political conflicts overseas, they continued to expand economically and even protecting their interests in Latin America (American Isolationism). The leaders at the forefront of the isolationist movement drew on history to help to strengthen their position. For example, in President George Washington’s farewell speech he advocated that the United States not get involved in European wars and politics. The isolationist used the experience that the United States had during WWI to justify that marginal interests in that conflict in fact did

Chapter six brings a different approach at introducing the importance of sociology. This chapter, focuses upon the historical significance of American sociology as society knows of it today. It discusses many different aspects of sociology, but it intentionally focuses on these important aspects that include: “The Chicago school”, sociologists whom attributed to American sociology, and the rise of female sociologists. These three fundamentals establish the overall history of American sociology.

During the post WWII period in America, the face of the nation changed greatly under the presidency of Truman and Eisenhower. America underwent another era of good feelings as they thought themselves undefeatable and superior over the rest of the world. Communism was the American enemy and American sought to rid the world of it. Because of the extreme paranoia caused by Communism, conformity became an ideal way to distinguish American Culture from the rest. Conformity became a part of every American Life to a large extent. It became evident through the medium of culture, society and politics throughout the era of the 50s.

After World War II, the American psyche became permanently stained with new ideas. During this time period, the American government actively sought to change the way the American people thought. The support of the American public was crucial to the success of the war effort. Many ideas introduced during this point of time consisted of new roles of certain people groups in American society. Women and minority groups would prove themselves in the workplace, millions of citizens would be discriminated against, and social barriers would be broken and assembled. Even though World War II took place in Europe and the Pacific, it made lasting social changes that can still be seen in America.

After reviewing the article titles given for this first assignment, I believe they indicate that Sociology, generally speaking, is not only a study of diversity or commonality in traits among people; it is also a science about factors in a person’s life and how these factors culminate responses. Interestingly enough, its topics of concern seem to be directly determined by current and common events of the world. Through the invention and expansion of new ideas, popular trends and fashions through time, Sociology adapts to responsibly to service the very subjects of interest it studies; for, even the slightest change of a person’s daily experience can have an insurmountable impact on attitude, personal growth, family

If Sociology is the systematic study of human society, then sociological imagination is what we perceive or think about how people work and or think in a more personal and bias matter. C.W. Mills believes that merging two different theories of social reality of the “individual” and “society”. Mills challenges readers and learners by arguing many basic terms and definitions from what “we” believe are right. Chapters one and two talks about how society portrays what we know rather then the facts. Our bias opinions and beliefs often go against what science has proven.

Prior to World War 2, America was in a Great Depression that cause politicians to focus on domestic issues. At the start of another world war the United States declare neutrality, but it shows sympathy to democracies. When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor America stop being isolationist to combat external threats. The United States didn’t address the domestic issues that plague the country for years. However, Proxity wars, Truman’s policies, and rising tensions shaped the world and US. Therefore, the role of the US would change from managing the Americas to supporting democracies and governments around the world to stop the spread of communism.

After World War I, Adolf Hitler was one of the dictators that arose; which then gained power in Germany in its Great Depression. Hitler rose to power using techniques such as propaganda, censorship, charisma and terror, but that was not all he did. Hitler started his own fascist party in Germany and called it the Nazi Party. Later, Hitler developed anti-semitism, or prejudice against Jews and dehumanized them. He viewed Jews as a separate race not a religion. This caused many changes particularly to the Jews. During World War I the Nazi’s treatment of the Jews caused political, economic, and social changes.

Routinization is the way people go about doing something. It’s a method to organize chaos and when practiced it accomplishes the goal quickly and effectively. There are different methods used, but ultimately routinization produces the desired result.

Sociology and sociological thinking are a vital part of society, and through examining both society and individuals, sociology is able to make changes to areas such as policies, and attitudes that may have usually negatively affected them, and instead gained a positive result through the careful research, and applied knowledge.

World War II changed the American psyche from isolationism to wanting to go to war. Before America entered the war most people were isolationists, or against joining the war. With the Great Depression and the memories of the tragic losses from WWI not many people supported America’s involvement in oversea affairs. The ones who wanted to go to war were usually more radical and wanted to assert America’s power to show that we are the strongest country. Most people knew this was a bad idea being that this would just waste innocent lives. With the Japanese trying to take over Asia and the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939 tensions were beginning to rise. America wanted this to be a European problem and not to make it an American one. One

The social sciences are a relatively new branch of science and with this youth comes complexities and growing pains. The evolution from looking strictly at history, to applying natural science research methods to the stratified version of research methods now utilized in the social sciences has progressed organically over time. This is a very interesting phenomenon since the founding fathers oscillated between history, the present-day’s ethnographic research as well as the views of their contemporaries. This leads one to ask if the time period in which sociology came about lead to its birth? Or were these founding fathers generally interested in the social ties that bind us together? I believe it is a combination of both that

This news-story presents research on how the social is always changing. Over the years many changes have occurred. For example, race, gender, culture, and backgrounds have shift dramatically; for the good of course. Certain changes might not be so great, but it has improved over the years. We as people could either do something about or sit around and wait for change to take place. According to Kaufman, Peter. "You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train." Everyday sociology. N.p., 27 Mar. 2015. Web. 19 Mar. 2017. . “People are practical. They want change but feel powerless, alone, and do not want to be the blade of grass that sticks up above the others and is cut down.” Sociological imagination is the awareness of the relationship between personal

The sociological imagination raises three core questions. Firstly, what is the structure of the society being studied? Secondly, what relevance does its context in history have? And thirdly, how does it influence and shape those within it? (Mills, 1959: 6-7). The consideration of these questions enables the greatest understanding of the relationship between society and an individual’s position and circumstance, and is what makes the concept sociological.

Social change is an ongoing process. Two popular recent social changes are called the “Me 2 Movement’’, and the “Black Lives Matter’’ movement. Some other ongoing social changes in our society are sparked from gender equality and sexual harassment. I participate in social changes everyday. When I share different memes of social media, people analyze them and form opinions based off of what I posted. It sparks political discussion and makes people wonder. I don’t choose one specific group of people to try to influence. There is also a lot of social change about free speech and the laws. I vote regularly and that is a part of social change. Some people that don’t vote usually don’t like any of the candidates running for election. I vote for the people I share the same values with and do my research before voting day. In the 2000’s there was a protest in Africa called Arab Springs. An individual did not think the government was fair so he lit himself on fire. It started it a mass social media movement over politics in African countries. Social media ultimately led to new leadership in those countries. In 2008 the United States was going through a severe economic depression. Everyone was mad at the wealthiest one percent and there were tons of homeless people struggling. Some people on Wall Street were arrested for corruption and a lot of people walked away Scot free. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary to socialize is, “to make social; especially: to fit or train for a