DEFINITION OF SOCIOLOGY:

Sociology is the scientific study of society, including patterns of social

relationships, social interaction, and culture. The term sociology was first used
by French philosopher Auguste Comte in the 1830s when he proposed a
synthetic science uniting all knowledge about human activity.

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and
consequences of human behavior. It is the study of human social behavior,
relationships, and institutions. It includes analyzing how individuals interact
with one another in groups and societies, how societies are structured and
organized, and how societies change over time.

ROLE OF SOCIOLOGIST

The role of sociologist is to investigate the structure of groups, organization,

societies and how people interacts.

Sociologists observe the everyday life of groups, conduct large-scale surveys,

interpret historical documents, analyze census data, study video-taped
interactions, interview participants of groups, and conduct laboratory
experiments. The research methods and theories of sociology yield powerful
insights into the social processes shaping human lives and social problems and
prospects in the contemporary world.

The role of a sociologist is to conduct research and analysis to understand

human behavior, relationships, institutions, and systems in society. Some of the
key roles and responsibilities of a sociologist include:

Conducting Research:

Sociologists conduct research to gather data and information about social

phenomena. They may use a variety of research methods, such as surveys,
interviews, participant observation, and statistical analysis.

Analyzing Data: Sociologists analyze data to identify patterns, trends, and

relationships within society. They use various tools and techniques to analyze
data and draw conclusions about social behavior and organization.
Developing Theories:

Sociologists develop theories to explain social phenomena and to guide further

research. They may use existing theories or develop new ones based on their
research findings.

Teaching : Sociologists may teach at the university level, sharing their

knowledge and expertise with students. They may teach courses on topics such
as social theory, research methods, and social issues.

Consulting : Sociologists may work as consultants for government agencies,

non-profit organizations, or businesses. They may provide expertise on social
issues, conduct research for policy development, or evaluate social programs
and interventions.

Advocacy : Sociologists may also use their expertise to advocate for social
change. They may work with activist groups, policy makers, or community
organizations to promote social justice and equality.

The role of a sociologist is to use their knowledge and expertise to understand

and improve society. They play a critical role in identifying social problems and
developing solutions to address them, and they help us to better understand
ourselves and our place in society.

Auguste Comte:
French Social Philosopher (1798- 1857) Auguste Comte was the first social
philosopher to coin and use the term sociology for the first time in his book
Positive Philosophy in published in 1830. He was also the first to regard himself
as a sociologist and his contributions to the field are numerous. Auguste
Comte's contributions to sociology helped to establish it as a scientific
discipline and paved the way for future sociologists to study and understand
human society in a systematic and empirical way. Some of his key contributions
include:

The development of positivism: Comte developed the concept of positivism,

which emphasizes the use of scientific methods to study social phenomena. He
believed that sociology should be based on empirical evidence rather than
speculation or intuition.
The three stages of human history: Comte believed that human history could be
divided into three stages: the theological stage, the metaphysical stage, and the
positivist stage. He argued that societies had progressed from a belief in
supernatural forces to a more rational and scientific worldview.

The idea of social physics: Comte believed that social phenomena could be
studied using the same methods as physical phenomena. He argued that society
could be analyzed in terms of its structure, dynamics, and laws, and that these
could be used to predict future social developments.

The importance of social order: Comte believed that social order was essential
for the stability and progress of society. He argued that social institutions such
as the family, government, and religion were necessary for maintaining social
order.

The concept of the sociological imagination: Comte believed that sociology

should be used to understand the social forces that shape individual behavior.
He argued that individuals were not solely responsible for their actions, but
were influenced by social factors such as culture, history, and institutions.

The concept of social dynamic and social static: He developed the concept of
"social dynamic" and "social static" to explain the different stages of social
development

Social static refers to the existing social structures, customs, and beliefs that
provide stability and their daily lives, which provide a sense of order and
structure. According to Comte, the social static stage of society is characterized
by traditional, conservative values and beliefs that resist continuity in society. It
refers to the set of rules and customs that people follow in change.

Comte saw society as moving through different stages of development, from the
theological stage (in which society is dominated by religion and superstition) to
the metaphysical stage (in which people begin to question traditional beliefs and
seek rational explanations for phenomena) and finally to the positivist stage (in
which science and reason become the dominant forces driving social change).
Emile Durkheim: Émile Durkheim was a French sociologist who lived in
the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is considered one of the founding
fathers of sociology and is famous for his contributions to the study of social
order, morality, and religion. His work has had a significant impact on the
development of modern sociology, particularly in the areas of social theory and
methodology.

Empirical Method: Durkheim's empirical method was based on the scientific

study of social facts. He believed that sociology should study social facts
objectively, without imposing personal biases or values on the analysis.
Durkheim argued that social facts are observable and measurable and can be
studied using empirical methods such as statistics, surveys, and other
quantitative techniques. He believed that the study of social facts could provide
a scientific basis for understanding social life and developing social policies.

Functionalist Perspective: Durkheim's functionalist perspective is based on the

idea that social institutions and structures serve specific functions in society. He
believed that social structures are interdependent and that each structure
performs a specific function that contributes to the maintenance of social order.
Durkheim argued that society is like an organism, with each part serving a
specific function to maintain the health and stability of the whole. For example,
Durkheim argued that religion serves the function of promoting social solidarity
and creating a sense of collective identity.

Collective Conscience: Durkheim's concept of collective conscience refers to

the shared beliefs and values that form the basis of social order. He argued that
collective conscience is created through socialization and education and is
reinforced by social institutions such as religion, family, and education.
Durkheim believed that collective conscience is essential for maintaining social
order and preventing anomie (a state of normlessness and confusion). He argued
that individuals who deviate from collective conscience are seen as deviant and
are subject to social sanctions, which help maintain social order.

"Suicide" is a book written by Émile Durkheim in 1897. Durkheim argues that

suicide is a social phenomenon influenced by social causes rather than just
individual psychological factors. He identifies different types of suicide related
to specific social conditions, and concludes that people commit suicide because
of their loose integration in society and in societies with high levels of
integration and regulation; suicide rates are lower because individuals feel
connected to social groups and adhere to social norms.

SUBJECT MATTER OF SOCIOLOGY

Everyone of us is a part of a society and each community ha its own set of

problems. There are several challenges that are culture faces. Including gender
inequality, cast conflict, racial tentions and class struggle, Thus, sociology is a
core subject concerning with these topiscs.