Sociological Theories
Lacy V. Wood
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SOC. 480, Sociological Theories
Spring 2011
Lacy V. Wood
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SOC. 480, Sociological Theories
Spring 2011
Taking It Big
Charles Wright Mills is most commonly known for his theory of the sociological imagination. Through both the acknowledgement of biography and history within the context of sociology, his analysis was able to determine an interesting perspective that tied religion, the end of history, and sociology without society into our cultural context today. Mills was able to shift his focus to examine how people influence others based on external social forces that shape personal experiences. Mill’s definition of the sociological imagination allowed for the ability for others to see the impact of social forces on individual’s private and public affiliations. Through Mill’s establishment of the sociological imagination, a perspective on religion could then be observed through viewing religious institutions as merely a product of social foundations (Dandaneau, 146).
In Steven P. Dandaneau’s book, Taking it Big, Developing Sociological Consciousness in Postmodern Times, the analysis of chapter seven entitled, Religion and Society- Of Gods and Demons, created an assessment which viewed the nature of religion as a social institution. The arrangement of religion within a society creates a structural analysis of patterns and beliefs that are replicated through the development of social establishments and are maintained within a society by linking social institutions directly to a religious belief. “…Structural analysis, that is, systematic thinking about how patterns of life and belief are reproduced across time and space such that social institutions- composed of roles, positions, groups, norms, values, and rituals- are created and maintained, thereby building and rebuilding society…” (Dandaneau, 145). Therefore, we can conclude that social institutions
-------------------------------------------------
SOC. 480, Sociological Theories
Spring 2011
Lacy V. Wood
-------------------------------------------------
SOC. 480, Sociological Theories
Spring 2011
Taking It Big
Charles Wright Mills is most commonly known for his theory of the sociological imagination. Through both the acknowledgement of biography and history within the context of sociology, his analysis was able to determine an interesting perspective that tied religion, the end of history, and sociology without society into our cultural context today. Mills was able to shift his focus to examine how people influence others based on external social forces that shape personal experiences. Mill’s definition of the sociological imagination allowed for the ability for others to see the impact of social forces on individual’s private and public affiliations. Through Mill’s establishment of the sociological imagination, a perspective on religion could then be observed through viewing religious institutions as merely a product of social foundations (Dandaneau, 146).
In Steven P. Dandaneau’s book, Taking it Big, Developing Sociological Consciousness in Postmodern Times, the analysis of chapter seven entitled, Religion and Society- Of Gods and Demons, created an assessment which viewed the nature of religion as a social institution. The arrangement of religion within a society creates a structural analysis of patterns and beliefs that are replicated through the development of social establishments and are maintained within a society by linking social institutions directly to a religious belief. “…Structural analysis, that is, systematic thinking about how patterns of life and belief are reproduced across time and space such that social institutions- composed of roles, positions, groups, norms, values, and rituals- are created and maintained, thereby building and rebuilding society…” (Dandaneau, 145). Therefore, we can conclude that social institutions
Cited: Dandaneau, Steven P. Taking It Big: Developing Sociological Consciousness in Postmodern Times. Pine Forge Press, 2001.