Bicol University

GRADUATE SCHOOL
Legazpi, City

Name: Ma. Sharlyn A. Navia

Subject: PHDEF-305 Seminar in Sociological and Anthropological Theories
Program: Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Management
Professor: Dr. Noel R. Rafer
Session Topic: Historical Sketches of Sociological Theory & Theorists and Development of Sociology in
the Philippines

REFLECTION JOURNAL 3
1) K – your prior K-nowledge of the topic
To be honest, I know very little about the history of sociological theories, including theorists and the
development of sociology in the Philippines. I was familiar with the popular names Herbert Spencer, Karl
Marx, Emil Durkheim, and Max Weber, but my knowledge of their sociological ideas and applications in the
real world is still relatively limited.
2) W – hat you expected to learn from the topic
After learning about the Nature, Major Theories, and the relationship of Sociology and Anthropology
with other fields and methods of inquiry, I am eager to learn about the historical development of sociology
and anthropology, as well as identify and know the two disciplines pioneers and concepts/theories. I'm also
interested in how these theories might help us teachers improve our teaching practices and train our
students to be adaptable to ever-changing environments.
3) L- what you L-earned from the topic/discussion/webinar, and
The discussion has introduced many sociological theories, but I've realized that no single theory is
suitable to our society just as there is no single teaching style that works for all students. So, as teachers,
we must become acquainted with sociological theories and their historical evolution to appropriately apply
them in our classrooms and society. I learned about Auguste Comte's significant contribution to the
establishment of sociology. He claimed that utilizing scientific methods to expose the rules that govern the
interactions of societies and individuals will bring about a new positivist period of history. Marx, on the other
hand, criticized Comte's positivism. He believed that societies arose and significantly changed of different
social strata' conflicts over the means of production. Spencer opposed much of Comte's theory, as well as
Marx's concept of class struggle and communism. Instead, he advocated for a type of government that
permitted market forces to manage capitalism. I also learned about Durkheim's viewpoint on how people
ascend to their proper social levels based on merit.
4) A – how are you going to A-pply it to your personal/professional life.
The major sociological theories provided me with substantial insights into how I view education.
Although these theories were developed many years ago, some of them are still relevant today. When
considering using the topic of sociology in our lessons as teachers, we should also examine the specific
theoretical perspective that would be appropriate to investigate it. Some will be more appropriate than
others. I also discovered Emil Durkheim's explanation of suicide. I believe that the collaborative discussion
of the rest of the class will be a very valuable tool for me as a teacher in aiding some of my students in
coping with the stress and depression that they are experiencing through this distance learning. This is also
a relevant topic for me to inculcate knowledge in my students that even though we face numerous
challenges, we should not consider suicide as an option, and we have no right to take someone's life, even
if significant advancements are available.
Studying the historical development of the theories and knowing more about the perspective of the
sociological theorists, helps me understand that equality is not always possible. We bear a great deal of
responsibility for doing our best to survive in this rapidly changing environment. Let us not focus on conflict,
but rather on our duty as role models and knowledge workers for the greater good of our society.