Talk:Sociology of culture

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This article is very vague and uncomplete. Can someone write something better about it?

I have edited the current summary of cultural sociology. My effort is still inadequate but not nearly as out of touch as the previous version. RS 1/18/07

• "Scientific investigation and the production of empirically verifiable analysis (especially in terms of testable theories) is considered taboo among many, but not all self proclaimed cultural sociologists."

I'm not sure whether this is exactly the case. In my view, many would argue that 'empirically verifiable analysis' just is not one of the main objectives, as it may not always be possible to achieve. Many studies in this field include ethnographic or semi-ethnographic accounts, and thus rely heavily on the researcher as an instrument of measurement. Anyone care to give his/her view of this matter?

Contents 1 Cultural Change Discussion 2 good progress 2.1 current research 2.2 tie the parts together 2.3 wikify

[edit] Cultural Change Discussion

The last paragraph of the section titled "Cultural Change" has taken a number of liberties in allowing pure opinion to seep into their description. The writer provides backing for his/her opinions merely by restating them in parenthesis. The author assumes there is some clear or precise definition of culture or humanity from which he/she can assume it begins with the homo sapien. Specifically, how can you (the author) discern the ability to define or study cultural change as opposed to the beginnings of culture. Both of these concepts can be studied so long as there is someone who wishes to better define the word culture. It's very likely that what we define as culture can be observed in animal behavior to some degree as well. So, my suggestion is; either clearly define your meaning of these broad, ambiguous words, or take your unfounded opinions out of this passage. JD 2/11/08

[edit] good progress

this article is much better than it was a couple months ago-- but it still has some important areas for improvement. --Htw3 18:59, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] current research

There is much more going on in the study of culture in sociology than just cmc related work. y'all might want to take a look at Culture and Cognition P DiMaggio - Annual Review of Sociology, 1997 - Annual Reviews. He focuses on the relation between cognition and culture-- but I know that he mentions important work elsewhere in the sociology of culture near the start of his review article. It would also be good to mention sub-areas of culture where there is a good amount of research: sports, popular culture, religion, diffusion.--Htw3 18:59, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] tie the parts together

I tried to demonstrate the need to make some additions throughout the article that help the reader understand how the included parts fit together. That is another important direction for improvement. --Htw3 19:11, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] wikify

connection to a variety of topics in wikipedia need to be made explicit: qualitative research, ethnography, critical theory, cultural studies, sociology of religion, comparative sociology. . . .--Htw3 19:11, 1 November 2007 (UTC)