PowerPoint Presentations: What is Sociology?

There are three PowerPoints in this section:

• Sociology Imagination

• Social Facts

• Industrial Revolution

Recommended Video: What is Sociology? (Suicide)

Purpose: This PowerPoint introduces Durkheim’s theory of suicide as preparation before showing students two scenes from the documentary Maxed Out. The scenes feature two college students deep in credit card debt who responded to their situation by committing suicide. Their situation can be described as anomic and fatalistic. There are notes below each slide. To view simply choose "view" and then select "notes page".

Download all presentations here.

Interactive Questions: What is sociology? 

Purpose: To illustrate that comparing suicide rates–in this case suicide rates for males and female– yields important clues about the Sociological Imagination social forces that push people to take their own lives. Typically the answers students give to these questions show that that males are disproportionately represented among those they know who succeed at suicide. Conversely females are disproportionately represented among those who attempt suicide but do not succeed. The answers student typically give to questions related to gun use show that men have greater access to guns and are more likely to know how to use them (relative to females). Using a gun is more likely to ensure in “success” than taking pills. The questions are formatted to be copied and pasted (all at once) into the polleverywhere.com system. Once you have created an account, simply choose "create poll" and paste all questions into dialogue box. Scroll to the bottom of questions (reviewing them as you go) and click "create".

1. Do you know someone who committed suicide? Yes-I know of one person, Yes-I know of more than one person, No-I know of no one
2. Think about the person you know who most recently committed suicide? Was that person male or female? Male, Female, Not applicable
3. Do you know someone who tried but did not succeed at committing suicide (including yourself)? Yes-I know of one person, Yes-I know of more than one person, No-I do not know of any person
4. Think about the person you know who most recently attempted suicide and failed. Was that person male or female? Male, Female, Not applicable
5. Is there a gun in your household? Yes, No
6. Do you own a gun (answer if female)? Yes, No
7. Do you own a gun (answer if male)? Yes, No
8. Have you been trained to shoot a gun (answer if female)? Yes,-a parent or relative trained me to shoot, Yes- I took a class, No-I have not been trained
9. Have you been trained shoot a gun (answer if male)? Yes-a parent or relative trained me to shoot, Yes- I took a class, No- I have not been trained.