Sociology Durkheim Instructor Mark Chavira Americas High School

Sociology – Durkheim Instructor – Mark Chavira Americas High School El Paso, Texas

Today we welcome Emile Durkheim • Today we will do the following: • L. O – Learn about the origins of Sociology • E. Q – How did Emile Durkheim contribute to Sociology? • C. T- Students will discuss in partners and provide an exit ticket answering the E. Q.

In the beginning…. • Sociology is one of the YOUNGEST social sciences. • There are several founding fathers of sociology • Auguste Comte – Coined the phrase sociology.

About Durkheim • Noticed a problem with Capitalism. • What is Capitalism? • Noticed France’s progression from an agricultural society to an urban industrial economy. • France was getting richer • People were more “Free” than ever before • But something was going on with their minds.

According to Durkheim • Durkheim devoted his life to figuring out what was happening. • Wrote a book called Le Suicide that made two discoveries • Capitalism was making France Wealthy!! • As wealth increased so did suicide rates.

DOES A STRONG ECONOMY INCREASE SUICIDE RATES? Super rich Denmark had 4 x suicide rates than UK Wealthy England had 2 x Suicide rate of Italy had a rather normal suicide rate

Durkheim’s Findings • People were becoming increasingly depressed because of 5 things: • Individualism • Excessive Hope • We have too much freedom • Atheism • Weakening of the nation and family

Durkheim: Individualism • People used to have all the choices already made for them. • Who to marry • What to become • What religion to be etc. • Under capitalism this is no longer the case. . So who makes the decisions? • If all goes well individual take all the credit • If all goes horrible no one to blame but individual and that person is often judged by society.

Durkheim: Excessive Hope • Capitalism states you can attain all life’s luxuries and advertising reinforces it • Envy begins to form and you are no longer satisfied with your life • People will do anything to attain the unattainable and any failed attempts are seen as unjustifiable

Durkheim: Too Much Freedom • Have you heard the phrase “Whatever works for you? ” • What are we really saying here? • Society really doesn’t care about you or what you do! • There used to be social norms: • Dress Codes in public • Where to be on Sunday etc. • Now everyone wants to live their own life. . The result? • We are less and less in common with each other than ever before and CRAVE belonging. .

Durkheim: Atheism • Just when we need the fraternal properties church brings we stop going to church • There is less community support and less of a sense of belonging should Atheism continue to increase

Durkheim: Weakening of Family and Nation • Families are no longer as stable as before – Reducing a sense of belonging • By adulthood there is less dependence on parents and very little overlapping of social circles and working circles and no longer feel family honor is in their hands

REVIEW • Create a review of Durkheim’s theory with your partner. This will be your exit ticket.