Dr. Chris McMillan
Are differences ‘natural’ categories, or are they socially constructed? ◦ In either case, what role does human agency play?
How do some differences become social divisions?
How do individuals, groups and societies respond to these divisions?
Social differences: Characteristics that distinguish and separate some people from other people
Social Division: ‘…a principle of social organisation resulting in a society-wide distinction between two or more logically interrelated categories of people, which are socially sanctioned as substantially different from one another in material and cultural ways’ (Payne, 2006: 348).
Social divisions are distinctions between socially constructed groupings
Whilst this distinction is socially constructed, it has some permanence
As a consequence of this distinction, a social division occurs when a grouping is disadvantaged in relation to other groupings
These divisions are often the basis for individual identities and are reproduced in social practices.
In what ways am I divided from society? Are these characteristics natural or social?
What makes you different and what divides you from society?
What holds together your points of difference: What is the most important aspect of your identity?
Write down three defining characteristics on a post-it note and pass these notes around the room until you don’t know where they came from.
Who has an ended up with an identity just like their own?
Can we establish a normative position in the class room based on; ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
Gender Nationality Ethnicity Class
Why do some differences become divisions?
The distinction between the two depends on social and political factors
Are there differences that do not result in social divisions?
Are there divisions that are more pronounced in some regions or times in history?
How do social divisions change with time and across different regions?
What control do we have over identities and divisions: Who has the power to determine which differences become divisions?
Are our identities flexible: If differences are social or selfdetermined, can they be changed?
Why does society not divide into warring factions, and who does this benefit?
Understandings of social divisions are based on underlying frameworks that make assumptions about the structure and operation of society: social theories
◦ Functionalism ◦ Structuralism ◦ Conflict theories ◦ Marxism
WEEK II: UNDERSTANDING CLASS AND POVERTY
WEEK III:SOCIAL CLASS AND CULTURAL IDENTITY
WEEK IV: SEX, GENDER AND SEXUALITY
WEEK V: RACE AND ETHNICITY
WEEK VI: HEALTH, ILLNESS AND DISABILITY
WEEK VII: ASK WEEK
WEEK VIII:CITIZENSHIP, NATIONHOOD AND EXCLUSION
WEEK IX: POWER, IDEOLOGY AND VIOLENCE
WEEK X: RELIGION, COMMUNITY AND IDENTITY
WEEK XI: DIVIDING THE FUTURE
WEEK XII: SEEN EXAMINATION
Dr. Chris McMillan Contact ◦ Room GB.152 ◦ Ext. 67541
chris.mcmillan@brunel.ac.uk Office Hours: Monday 15.00-16.00
2hrs per week Mondays 1-3pm
Attendance is compulsory…
… but lecture theatres are not prisons!
Participation is required: It is not a matter of recording what the lecturer is saying
Ensure you have completed the readings beforehand
Please ask questions at any time during the lectures
Text 27951 and your message to +447624806527
Make an appointment during my office hours ◦ Or send an email for an appointment
Please let me know of any problems or issues: I am happy to address them.
Student Reps
This module is assessed by a single seen examination in week 12
However, I am happy to read your work and provide feedback at any stage during Weeks 1-10
Formative essay topics will be offered at the end of each lecture
Formative essays are entirely voluntary
• Reading is the basis of your learning • The majority of reading will be from Payne: It is essential that you buy this book • Additional readings are also suggested
Universities have strong support systems
Just ASK! ◦ Writing ◦ Research ◦ Study skills
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What was the most interesting thing you learnt in your first year as a sociology student?
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What is the most interesting thing from today’s lecture?
Questions?
This module examines the connections and distinctions between social differences and social divisions We think about; ◦ Different kind of divisions and how these divisions are formed ◦ How they change across time and in different places ◦ Different theoretical approaches for understanding these divisions ◦ The processes through which society and personal identities tend to remain stable despite these differences
Read Chapters 2 and 12 of Payne (2006) – and Chapter 1, if you haven’t already
Contact me on chris.mcmillan@brunel.ac.uk if there are any issues.
Formative essay topic: What is the distinction sociologists make between social differences and social divisions? Is this an effective way of understanding social life?