5. Defining and Visualizing Concepts

Assignment 5: Defining and Visualizing Concepts
The first concept that is relevant to my studies is: Rationalization.  The Oxford Dictionary of Sociology defines rationalization as a process that “rather than increasing freedom and autonomy, makes ends of means, and imprisons the individual within the ‘iron cage’ of rationalized institutions, organizations, and organizations (Marshall and Scott 2010). This rationalization tends to relinquish a person’s human freedom.  I will use the concept of rationalization in my thesis work as I research community arts centers in San Antonio, Texas.  Examples of rationalization in works include studies in the following: Religion, Arts, Music, Economy (McDonaldization), etc.  To read more about rationalization in religion, see The Rationalization of Action in Max Weber’s Sociology of Religion by Stephen Kalberg (1990).

The second concept that is relevant to my studies is: Culture (also subculture).  Culture is a concept that is ingrained in all of our human society. It is much more than what the average person thinks is culture.  The Oxford Dictionary of Sociology defines culture as “all that is in human society which is socially rather than biologically transmitted”.  

For both of my concepts, I would see the process visualization working best to portray the complexity of each.  I would employ concept visualization and use the soft system modeling to show each concept.

Further in running each concept through Wordnik, Visuwords, Lexipedia, and Ngram Viewer. I found that the concept of rationalization isn’t defined through a sociological lens. It’s a very literal definition of rationalization. Culture had a closer definition to what I’ve defined it above.

References:

Halley, Jeffrey A., "Cultural Resistance to Rationalization: A Study of an Art Avant-Garde, "H.       Etzkowitz and R. Glassman, eds., The Renascence of Sociological Theory: Traditional Perspectives and New Directions (Itasca, Ill.: Peacock Publishers, 227 244, 1991).

 Kalberg, Stephen. “The Rationalization of Action in Max Weber’s Sociology of Religion.” Sociological Theory. Vol. 8, No. 1. Spring, 1990. pp. 58-84.

Marshall, Gordon and John Scott. (2010). The Oxford Dictionary of Sociology. Retrieved from             http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sociology-oxford-dictionary/id314858252?mt=8

Wolff, Janet. “Cultural Studies and the Sociology of Culture.” Invisible Culture, An Electronic Journal for Visual Studies. 1999. Retrieved from            http://www.rochester.edu/in_visible_culture/issue1/wolff/wolff.html