Sociological Imagination
Tierra Hodge
Dr. Ngeo Boon Lin
Intro to Sociology
October 1, 2014
Sociological Imagination
What is sociological imagination? According to C. Wright Mills sociological imagination is the ability to see how individual experiences are connected to the larger society. Sociological perspective enables one to grasp connection to history and biography. History is the background and biography is the individual’s specific experiences. C.Wright Mills came up with the idea that in order for one to understand their personal lives the need to look beyond personal experiences and look at larger political, social, and economic issues of others. “It is the capacity to range from the most impersonal and remote transformations to the most intimate features of the human self -- and to see the relations between the two” (C. Wright Mills 3). Overall, sociological imagination is the awareness of the relationship between personal experience and society.
The documentary Sicko gives examples of sociological imagination. Sicko is a documentary film by Michael Moore. Michael Moore interviews Americans who have been denied treatment by our health care insurance companies. Throughout the documentary Michael Moore investigates health care within the United States. Moore compares health maintenance organizations in America to free health care in Canada, France, and the Great Britain. He shows viewers that the prisoners in Guantanamo have better medical treatment than some people in the United States. In the end, Michael Moore gets participants of his documentary free medical assistance in Cuba.
One example of sociological imagination in the documentary Sicko are the meeting of some volunteer 9/11 rescue workers. Most of them suffer from respiratory problems or other health issues. One person also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. One would think these people have great health insurance because of their volunteer work during a very huge crisis in America, but that isn't the case.
Dr. Ngeo Boon Lin
Intro to Sociology
October 1, 2014
Sociological Imagination
What is sociological imagination? According to C. Wright Mills sociological imagination is the ability to see how individual experiences are connected to the larger society. Sociological perspective enables one to grasp connection to history and biography. History is the background and biography is the individual’s specific experiences. C.Wright Mills came up with the idea that in order for one to understand their personal lives the need to look beyond personal experiences and look at larger political, social, and economic issues of others. “It is the capacity to range from the most impersonal and remote transformations to the most intimate features of the human self -- and to see the relations between the two” (C. Wright Mills 3). Overall, sociological imagination is the awareness of the relationship between personal experience and society.
The documentary Sicko gives examples of sociological imagination. Sicko is a documentary film by Michael Moore. Michael Moore interviews Americans who have been denied treatment by our health care insurance companies. Throughout the documentary Michael Moore investigates health care within the United States. Moore compares health maintenance organizations in America to free health care in Canada, France, and the Great Britain. He shows viewers that the prisoners in Guantanamo have better medical treatment than some people in the United States. In the end, Michael Moore gets participants of his documentary free medical assistance in Cuba.
One example of sociological imagination in the documentary Sicko are the meeting of some volunteer 9/11 rescue workers. Most of them suffer from respiratory problems or other health issues. One person also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. One would think these people have great health insurance because of their volunteer work during a very huge crisis in America, but that isn't the case.