Download A phenomena is an enduring aspects of human existence that are of

Kristen Tankesley
Liberal Studies Capstone
A phenomena is an enduring aspect of human existence that is of interest to
scholars and is susceptible to scholarly description and explanation. The phenomena of
sociology is the social nature of societies and of human interactions within them. For my
research in particular, this includes the “white flight” phenomena (whites leave a town
when blacks begin to immigrate into it). Also, another phenomena is white supremacy,
where white people, whether intentionally or unintentionally consider themselves to be
superior to people of other racial backgrounds. The idea and history of upper, middle,
and lower class is a sociological phenomena, which puts people into categories based on
their perceived social class or economic well-being.
Assumptions of a discipline are the underlying frameworks or outworking of the
overall perspective. Disciplines are based on accepted, and often taken for granted,
theories, concepts, methods, and curriculum. For sociology, assumptions are varying.
Gathering of data is a way that some assume social reality exists, whereas others (mainly
post-modernists) believe that social reality is socially constructed by cultural influences,
with rationality and autonomy playing very minor roles.
Epistemology, the branch of philosophy that studies how one knows truth and
validates truth is explained sociologically through a general sense that knowledge is
socially constructed and that knowledge exists in history that can change the course of
history if properly applied. Of course, there are conflicting theories of the way
sociologists view the way the world works. Some are social theories, others critical
theorists, feminists, postmodernists, and multiculturalists.
A theory, a way of looking at or viewing the natural or human world, how it
works, and why specific facts are related is supported by data and research. Conflict
Kristen Tankesley
Liberal Studies Capstone
theory relates to my research in that some groups dominate others or a resistant to
domination, such as the race and class gap. I tend to think I am more of a critical theorist,
because I do not just want to understand and document my findings on society, but I want
to see a change take place. The point of this research this semester is to actually see a
change happen within the community of Augusta, GA.
Method concerns how one conducts research, analyzes data or evidence, tests
theories, and creates new knowledge. In light of my research project, sociological
methods include qualitative research that does not heavily rely on mathematical or
statistical analysis but look at people’s settings and makes sense of the phenomena that
people bring into them. Methods that Kate and I will use in our research include
interviews and observational methods to determine the reasons behind certain
phenomena.