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Social work |Социальная работа

LESSON 1

Read the text:                               WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY?

Sociology is the study of human societies and human behavior in social settings. Sociologists look beyond individualistic and psychological explanations for behavior to the predictable broad patterns and regular occurrences of social life that influence individual attitudes and behaviors. Sociologists answer "Why?" questions. They are not interested in highly personal reasons for events; instead they employ the sociological imagination to examine personal experiences in the context of the larger social structure. They focus on recurring events and relationships and seek to develop explanations for these patterns of interaction.

Sociologists strive to establish social facts, which are properties of group life that cannot be explained by the actions, feelings, or characteristics of individual persons. They examine such social facts as falling in love, crime rates, and prejudice. Sociologists also uncover the social forces that determine particular social facts.

This emphasis on social facts and social causes distinguishes sociology from other social sciences. Economics examines the production and exchange of goods and services. Psychology studies primarily the individual. Political science studies government, public administration, and the exercise of power.

The ability to adopt the sociological perspective is sometimes labeled "the sociological imagination." C. Wright Mills, who coined the term, stressed the connection between history and biography; that is, individuals can understand their personal experiences more clearly by locating themselves within a particular historical period.

The scientific method employed by sociologists began to emerge in the seventeenth century. Sociologists first gather data carefully. Then they analyze these data within the framework of a theory a systematic and formal explanation of how two or more phenomena are related to each other. Local theories are very .narrow and focus on only one small aspect of social life. At the other extreme, general theories attempt to explain how a considerable number of social factors fit together. Middle-range theories fall between these two types. Scientific inquiry generates knowledge that sometimes differs from common sense, which derives in turn from personal experiences. Common-sense explanations are somewhat limited. Science goes beyond common sense by collecting data and examining plausible explanations.

There are two major levels of sociological analysis. Microsociology focuses on everyday patterns of behavior and face-to-face interactions. Macrosociology focuses on overall social arrangements, how they are structured, and their long-term effects. Although these two levels are small scale and large scale respectively, micro-level and macro-level analyses often work together to provide a more complete picture of a particular social phenomenon.

1.Match  the left part with the right:

2. Complete the sentences with the suggested words:

gather   social   these   to

 Sociologists first (1)______ data carefully. Then they analyze (2)______ data within the framework of a theory a systematic and formal explanation of how two or more phenomena are related (3)______ each other. Local theories are very narrow and focus on only one small aspect of (4)______ life.