Introduction to Sociology / Sociological Theory By Haeun Kim (Hannah)

  Sociologcial theory is very important in Sociology. There has to a theory for sociologists to explain what's happening in this society. Therefore, to explain this phenomena, sociological theories  have to be more than one concept. For example, Putnam's theory which is "The more television people watch, the lower their involvement in civic life will be." shows that he used more concepts than one. Sociological theory is developed into various levels. It can fit in large scale of studies and small ones too. Furthermore, by looking at Putnam's theory, we can find out that only the data can't be informative and helpful. Sociological theory has to consider data and social life relationship.

  Moreover, structural-functionalism and  conflict theory are two of sociological theories.

 Structural-functionalism is a theory that society is similar with organism. The society do the work individually with various components. Structural-functionalism depend each other for society to maintain. Therefore, this theory is hard to explain the change of society  and it could be a weapon for ruling classes to maintain their power.

 Conflict theory is that the "conflict" have to exist for the society to develop. Ruling and unruling classes conflict each other because scarcity value is limited. In addition, the rules that society have right now must be chaged because it is the rule that ruling classes. However, the conflict theory only thinks the society as a ruling and unruling. The society is more complex than that idea.

 I also think society needs sociological theory to understand more clearly. Also, if we have this base, we can accept and critize the society to develop more. On the other hand, if we think the society only with theory frame, we cannot think more creatively. There could be other theories because the era changes with lots of development. Furthermore, I was very interested about the part that combining the data and social life to know the theory. I didn't think about that, I only thought all the data we have could be a theory too. However, I think "relationship" is important in sociological theory.

 It was my first time to do your assignment. Frankly to say, I think the readings in the Wikipedia is a little bit hard but it was very helpful to us to know about the Sociology. Also, there were lots of examples for us to understand. Therfore, when I summarize it, I inferred the example and made into my words. (I made the main idea that what I think.) It is okay for me to summarzie by inferring the examples?

 Last of all, I think sociological theory is very important to know this complicated society.