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Sociology workbook
The term Sociology was first coined by The French essayist Emmanuel
Joseph Sieyès (1748-1836). Auguste Comte in 1838, re-conceptualized
and introduced the term Sociology in the way that we now know and
appreciate it. Hence Auguste Comte is considered the “Father of Sociology.” He was convinced
that a science of society was possible and would be capable of reconstructing French society
which was undergoing much change.
Crossman believes that the development of Sociology was part of a more general trend toward
the development of discrete scientific disciplines. Thinkers of the Enlightenment period in the
eighteenth century helped set the stage for the sociologists who would follow. This period was
the first time in history that thinkers tried to provide general explanations of the social world.
They were able to detach themselves, at least in principle, from expounding some existing
ideology and to attempt to lay down general principles that explained social life.
The 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. They believe Sociology emerged as a response to the challenges
of modernity. Increasing mobility and technological advances resulted in the increasing
exposure of people to cultures and societies different from their own. The impact of this
exposure was varied, but for some people it included the breakdown of traditional norms and
customs and warranted a revised understanding of how the world works. Sociologists responded
to these changes by trying to understand what holds social groups together and also to explore
possible solutions to the breakdown of social solidarity.
Whatever the argument for the development of Sociology in Europe; it was birthed in a time of
social turmoil and was used to develop principles that would guide the reconstruction of
European society.
Auguste Comte
Comte
The Development of Sociology
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Sociology workbook
Auguste Comte was motivated by the need to understand the changes in his society and to make
a contribution its development..Comte felt that science could be used to study the social world.
Just as there are testable facts regarding gravity and other natural laws, Comte thought that
scientific analysis could also discover the laws governing our social lives. It was in this context
that Comte introduced the concept of positivism to sociology—a way to understand the social
world based on scientific facts. He believed that, with this new understanding, people could build
a better future. He envisioned a process of social change in which sociologists played crucial
roles in guiding society.(Crossman, 2013)
Supplemental Reading
The nineteenth Century Context by O’ Donnell.
NOTES
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Sociology workbook
Development of Sociology in the Caribbean
An Overview
Caribbean Sociology was initiated and nourished from outside the Caribbean region, particularly
Europe. When European and foreign trained Social Scientists introduced Social Sciences to the
Caribbean there was no resistance because there were no trained intellectuals in Social thought in
the Caribbean. As a consequence Sociology at that time was a process of ‘indigenization’,
‘adaption’ and ‘contextualization’ of what was developed elsewhere.
After emancipation, Caribbean people created new ideologies which played a significant role in
the indigenizationof Sociology in our region. Social thought could not remain divorced form the
social reality in the Caribbean. It had to be adapted to deal with Caribbean issues and problems.
According to Sankatsing (2001 )The drastic change from colonial to independent nations in two
decades saw an equally drastic development of the Social Sciences and Sociology in the region.
Such theoretical developments are as follows Plural,Creole, and Plantation society Models.
These focused on the outer-structural features of Caribbean reality.
Sankatsing further stated that a first generation of Caribbean Social Scientists, “made unceasing
efforts to adapt, modify, contextualize and acclimatize fashionable models, paradigms, theories
and methods from traditional social sciences and … great efforts were made to develop new
approaches and perspectives to the region’s own reality.
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 M.G. Smith, Edith Clarke,
George Roberts, Leo Depres, R.T. Smith, Lloyd Brathwaithe and Orlando Patterson all
conducted extensive and intensive research on various aspects of Caribbean life, culture,
practices 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 has been a burgeoning of works
from the likes of contemporary minds such as Christine Barrow, Rhoda Reddok, Nasser
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Sociology workbook
Mustapha, Susan Craig, Rex Nettleford, Bill Riviere, Henry Paget, Elsa Goveia, Derek Gordon,
Geroge Beckford, Angel Quintero Rivera et al... (Origins of Caribbean Sociology)
Activity 1.4
1. In your own words, describe the development of Sociology in Europe and the
Caribbean.
2. Compare the development of Sociology in Europe to the development of Sociology in
the Caribbean.
3. What factors led to the development of Sociology in the Caribbean?
Review questions
1. How did the Sociology develop in the Caribbean?
2. When did Sociology change in the Caribbean and in what way?
3. When did the golden age of Sociology occur in the Caribbean?
4. Name two main sociologist of the golden era.
5. What did the first generation of Social Scientist do according to Sankatsing?
6. Identify two female contemporary Caribbean Sociologists, and two male
contemporaryCaribbean Sociologist.