Welcome to Sociological Theory. This course is intended to provide an overview of the classical social theory of Marx, Durkheim, Weber, and Malthus as well as modern expressions of these perspectives. I will do this through two mechanisms. First, I will provide a summary and critique of one of the four major classical traditions in sociology. Rather than discussing the theory as history, the course will focus upon elements of the perspectives that have proved useful in understanding sociocultural systems. We will spend two weeks on each of these classical theorist. Then we will spend a week on an overview and critique of the perspective of one contemporary social scientists writing within each tradition. There will be a unit exam after completing each duo. We will begin with Marx and one of his followers, have an exam, then Durkheim and one of his followers, Weber, and finally Malthus. The overarching goal of the course is to provide the student with a general understanding of each of the classical sociological traditions and its usefulness in understanding contemporary and historical sociocultural systems. Through study of contemporary social scientists such as Lenski, Braverman, Nisbet, and Mills students will come to appreciate the breadth and depth of classical social theory. Each week you will be asked essay and short answer questions over your readings. The questions and your answers are to be turned in before each exam. It is important that you answer these questions fully and completely on these assignments. The intent is to help you master the material as well as prepare for the examinations. You will see many of these questions again!
Again, I welcome you and sincerely hope you get the grade you deserve in this course. Read: "Introduction" in Macrosociology: The Study of Sociocultural Systems. Glossary: Look these words up in your chapter reading or in the Glossary of Social Science; study them and be ready for fill-in-the-blanks on the next exam: functionalism cultural anthropology sociology sociological imagination specialization hunting and gathering societies agrarian societies horticultural societies division of labor world-systems theory ideology social class macrosociology microsociology empiricism sociocultural system democracy capitalism corporations industrial society postindustrial society secondary literature idealism totalitarianism social evolution materialism Essay Assignment: Demonstrate to me that you have read and mastered the course material. Answer the following essay questions to be turned in during class before your exam over this unit. For full credit, list the question, address the questions fully and completely in your own words and voice. Length should be about 500 words per question. Of what relevance is the parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant? Of what use is social theory? Short Answer Assignment: The following short answer questions are from your readings and are to be turned in during class before your exam over this unit. Each can be answered with a short paragraph of three or four sentences; use your own words and voice. What is a paradigm? What is the difference between micro-sociology and macro-sociology? Explain the following quote: "Facts discipline reason; but reason is the advance guard in any field of learning"? Why is the past relevant in social theory? What are the common elements of all societies? What are the four main classical theoretical traditions in sociology? According to your professor, what are the major features of the sociological paradigm? Of what use is empirical study? Why does this course focus exclusively on macro-sociology? Who is Davis Joyce?
Read:
"Introduction" in Macrosociology: The Study of Sociocultural Systems.
Essay Assignment:
Demonstrate to me that you have read and mastered the course material. Answer the following essay questions to be turned in during class before your exam over this unit. For full credit, list the question, address the questions fully and completely in your own words and voice. Length should be about 500 words per question.
Of what relevance is the parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant?
Of what use is social theory?
Short Answer Assignment:
The following short answer questions are from your readings and are to be turned in during class before your exam over this unit. Each can be answered with a short paragraph of three or four sentences; use your own words and voice.
Links:
Great Classical Theorists In the Classical Tradition
In the Classical Tradition
Features | Syllabus | Theorists
