1. Sociology the discipline
Amongst the academic disciplines known as the Social Sciences,
Sociology is considred to be new, when compared to the older
disciplines such as political science, anthropology, economics
and psychology to name a few. The French essayist Emmanuel
Joseph Sieyès (1748-1836), was perhaps the first to use the
term sociology. August Comte later, re-conceptulaised and
introduced the term sociology in the way that we now know
and appreciate it.
Most early sociological thinkers approached the study of
society in a similar manner as the natural sciences. They
believed that generalized theories can be formulated, based on
natural science research methodologies. This approach to
sociological research is known as positive science - positivism.
Socio-political Context - Modernists contend that sociology
emerged out of two major revolutions of the late eighteenth
and nineteenth centuries. Starting with the French revolution
of 1789 and then the Industrial Revolution of Europe. The new
socio-political and economic orders that emerged due to these
real life changes, birthed a new era in social life, giving rise to
2. individualism, democracy, capitalism and the research for
efficient systems of living and operating - (leading to the rise of
rationalization).
Politcal thinkers, philosophers and other academics, noted and
began rationalizing the major changes that had begun to occur
in the 'world'. In their quest to adequately classify and explain
the new dynamics of social life, they developed various
research methods and theories to explain social life. It is
through this process that we note the development of the
discipline of sociology.
Methods of research
Methodology/Research Methods
Methodology, may be defined as: The procedures involved in
the investigation of facts and concepts. Methodology refer to
how observers go about their observations and explanations of
social reality.
It can also be defined as the "norms" of scientific investigation.
3. Methodology is not concerned with increasing the number of
facts or accumulating data but is concerned with inquiry into
the explanation of the procedures by which observations are
made, how concepts are utilized, and how and to what extent
explanations are made from a particular stated point of view.
Sociological research methods/ Methodology can be divided
into two major groups:
I. Quantitative/Numercial Research
Research using methods allowing for the measurement of
variables within a collection of people or groups and resulting
in numerical data subjected to statistical analysis. By its very
nature this is a form of positivism.
II. Qualitative/Word Research
Research using methods such as participant observation or case
studies which result in a narrative, descriptive account of a
4. setting or practice. Sociologists using these methods typically
reject positivism and adopt a form of interpretive sociology.
Origins of Caribbean sociology
Origins of Caribbean Sociology
An Overview
5. Caribbean Sociology is said to have entered its first and golden
age during the period of the 1950's - 1970's. Where a group of
Caribbean intellectuals such as MG Smith, Edith Clarke, George
Roberts, Leo Depres, RT Smith, Lloyd Brawaithe and Orlando
Patterson all conducted extensive and intensive research on
various aspects of Caribbean life, culture, parctices and
territories. With the aim of understanding the indigenous
Caribbean cultures as well developing an indigenized
sociological discourse for and by Caribbean people.
Today, Caribbean sociology has become more robust and there
have been a burgenoning of works from the likes of
contemporary minds such as Christine Barrows, Rhoda Reddok,
Nasser Mustapha, Susan Craig, Rex Nettleford, Bill Riviere,
Henry Paget, Elsa Goveia, Derek Gordon, Geroge Beckford,
Angel Quintero Rivera et al...
What is culture?
6. Culture
What is Culture? The term culture is varied in its definiton, as
such it cannot be limited to one singular expalantion. Instead,
we will briefly present a few definitons that capture the
sociological understanding of the term.
Sir Edward B. Tylor, "That complex whole which includes
knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other
capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of
society."
To the interactionists culture refer to "systems of human
meaning."
Culture may also refer to the shared knowledge, beliefs and
values of members of society and may be passed on from
generation to generation through the process of socialization.
