Introduction to Social Divisions

Dr. Chris McMillan

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Are differences ‘natural’ categories, or are they socially constructed? ◦ In either case, what role does human agency play?

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How do some differences become social divisions?

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How do individuals, groups and societies respond to these divisions?

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Social differences: Characteristics that distinguish and separate some people from other people

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Social Division: ‘…a principle of social organisation resulting in a society-wide distinction between two or more logically interrelated categories of people, which are socially sanctioned as substantially different from one another in material and cultural ways’ (Payne, 2006: 348).

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Social divisions are distinctions between socially constructed groupings

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Whilst this distinction is socially constructed, it has some permanence

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As a consequence of this distinction, a social division occurs when a grouping is disadvantaged in relation to other groupings

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These divisions are often the basis for individual identities and are reproduced in social practices.

In what ways am I divided from society?

Are these characteristics natural or social?

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What makes you different and what divides you from society?

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What holds together your points of difference: What is the most important aspect of your identity?

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Write down three defining characteristics on a post-it note and pass these notes around the room until you don’t know where they came from.

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Who has an ended up with an identity just like their own?

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Can we establish a normative position in the class room based on; ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

Gender Nationality Ethnicity Class

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Why do some differences become divisions?

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The distinction between the two depends on social and political factors

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Are there differences that do not result in social divisions?

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Are there divisions that are more pronounced in some regions or times in history?

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How do social divisions change with time and across different regions?

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What control do we have over identities and divisions: Who has the power to determine which differences become divisions?

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Are our identities flexible: If differences are social or selfdetermined, can they be changed?

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Why does society not divide into warring factions, and who does this benefit?

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Understandings of social divisions are based on underlying frameworks that make assumptions about the structure and operation of society: social theories

◦ Functionalism ◦ Structuralism ◦ Conflict theories ◦ Marxism

WEEK II: UNDERSTANDING CLASS AND POVERTY

WEEK III:SOCIAL CLASS AND CULTURAL IDENTITY

WEEK IV: SEX, GENDER AND SEXUALITY

WEEK V: RACE AND ETHNICITY

WEEK VI: HEALTH, ILLNESS AND DISABILITY

WEEK VII: ASK WEEK

WEEK VIII:CITIZENSHIP, NATIONHOOD AND EXCLUSION

WEEK IX: POWER, IDEOLOGY AND VIOLENCE

WEEK X: RELIGION, COMMUNITY AND IDENTITY

WEEK XI: DIVIDING THE FUTURE

WEEK XII: SEEN EXAMINATION

Dr. Chris McMillan Contact ◦ Room GB.152 ◦ Ext. 67541 

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chris.mcmillan@brunel.ac.uk Office Hours: Monday 15.00-16.00

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2hrs per week Mondays 1-3pm

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Attendance is compulsory…

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… but lecture theatres are not prisons!

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Participation is required: It is not a matter of recording what the lecturer is saying

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Ensure you have completed the readings beforehand

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Please ask questions at any time during the lectures

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Text 27951 and your message to +447624806527

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Make an appointment during my office hours ◦ Or send an email for an appointment

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Please let me know of any problems or issues: I am happy to address them.

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Student Reps

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This module is assessed by a single seen examination in week 12

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However, I am happy to read your work and provide feedback at any stage during Weeks 1-10

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Formative essay topics will be offered at the end of each lecture

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Formative essays are entirely voluntary

• Reading is the basis of your learning • The majority of reading will be from Payne: It is essential that you buy this book • Additional readings are also suggested

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Universities have strong support systems

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Just ASK! ◦ Writing ◦ Research ◦ Study skills

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What was the most interesting thing you learnt in your first year as a sociology student?

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What is the most interesting thing from today’s lecture?

Questions?

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This module examines the connections and distinctions between social differences and social divisions We think about; ◦ Different kind of divisions and how these divisions are formed ◦ How they change across time and in different places ◦ Different theoretical approaches for understanding these divisions ◦ The processes through which society and personal identities tend to remain stable despite these differences

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Read Chapters 2 and 12 of Payne (2006) – and Chapter 1, if you haven’t already

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Contact me on chris.mcmillan@brunel.ac.uk if there are any issues.

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Formative essay topic: What is the distinction sociologists make between social differences and social divisions? Is this an effective way of understanding social life?