Sociology 4053
Sociological Theory
Spring 2006
Instructor: Dr. Laurel Holland T/R: 12:30-1:45
E-Mail: lholland@westga.edu CRN: 11423
Office: Pafford 232 Classroom: Pafford 106
Office Hours: M/W:10:00-12:00; T/R:2:00-4:00. Other times by appointment.
Phone: 678-839-6331
E-Mail: lholland@westga.edu
Required Texts:
Delaney, Tim. (2004). Classical Social Theory: Investigation and Application.
Delaney, Tim. (2005). Contemporary Social Theory: Investigation and Application.
Kivisto, Peter. (2001). Illuminating Social Life. (2nd ed.).
Course Description: This course examines the contributions of major classical and contemporary sociological theorists and theoretical perspectives. Special emphasis is given to applying their ideas to the analysis of current social issues and encouraging students to develop their own theoretical position. Course focuses on selected classical and contemporary thinkers but introduces current perspectives and developments.
Learning Outcomes
1. To become familiar with the major classical and contemporary sociological theories and theorists.
2. To appreciate the role of theory in social science.
3. To be able to communicate (orally and in writing) how sociology contributes to an understanding of social reality.
4. To demonstrate an ability to think critically.
Course Requirements
Exams
There will be two exams throughout the semester, a mid-term and a final. Exams will cover readings, lecture material, and classroom discussion. The exam format will be short answer and essay. Each exam will be worth 100 possible points. Each exam will account for 20% of your overall grade.
Note: Make-up exams will only be given in the case of a verifiable emergency.
In-Class Discussions
Each member of the class will be assigned to a group for class discussion of the "Illuminating Social Life" readings. Individual members of the group will receive a separate grade based on participation and preparedness. Presentation times and details of expectations will be discussed in class. In-class discussions will be worth 100 possible points and will account for 20% of your overall grade.
Note: There is no make-up option for missed in-class discussions.
Timed Writings
Throughout the semester there will be several unannounced timed writings. Students are expected to be able to discuss the assigned readings during this exercise. Each writing will be worth 100 possible points and the average of the writings will account for 10% of your overall grade.
Note: There is no make-up option for missed timed writings.
Papers/Class Presentations
Each student is required to write a research paper that integrates the sociological perspectives of one theorist from the classical period and one theorist from the modern period. You must have your topic approved by the instructor. An 8-10 page report on the reading is due on Thursday, April 13th at the beginning of the class period. The report should be typed in 12 pt. Times and double-spaced with 1" margins. During the last week of the semester each student will present their work to the class. Presentations should be approximately 5-10 minutes. Papers will account for 20% of your overall grade. The oral report of the paper will account for 5% of your overall grade.
Note: Papers that are one day late will be deducted one letter grade. Papers more than one day late will not be accepted.
Overall Class Evaluation
Mid-Term = 20%
Final = 20%
In-Class Discussions = 20%
Timed Writings = 10%
Papers = 25%
Oral Report = 5%
TOTAL 100%
Attendance: Students are expected to attend class regularly and be on time.
Academic Alert: Academic dishonesty is a serious offense will not be tolerated.
Tentative ScheduleDate Topic
Week One
(Jan. 10 & 12) Introduction/What is Sociological Theory?
The Political, Social, & Philosophical Backdrop of Classical Theory.
Readings:
Delaney. (2004). Chapter One: "Antecedents: Social, Political, and Philosophical."
Week Two
(Jan. 17) Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
(Jan. 19) Comte and Spencer
Readings:
Delaney. (2004). Chapter Two: "Auguste Comte." & Chapter Three: "Herbert Spencer."
Week Three
(Jan. 24) Marx
(Jan. 26) lIn-Class Discussion #1 (Kivisto, Chapter 1)
Readings:
Delaney. (2004). Chapter Four: "Karl Marx."
Kivisto. Chapter One: "Working Longer, Living Less."
Week Four
(Jan. 31) Durkheim
(Feb. 2) lIn-Class Discussion #2 (Kivisto, Chapter 3)
Readings:
Delaney. (2004). Chapter Five: "Emile Durkheim."
Kivisto. Chapter Three: "Surfing the Net for Community."
Week Five
(Feb. 7) Weber
(Feb. 9) lIn-Class Discussion #3 (Kivisto, Chapter 2)
Readings:
Delaney. (2004). Chapter Seven: "Max Weber."
Kivisto. Chapter Two: "The Weberian Theory of Rationalization."
Week Six
(Feb. 14) Simmel
(Feb. 16) lIn-Class Discussion #4 (Kivisto, Chapter 4)
Readings:
Delaney. (2004). Chapter Six: "Georg Simmel."
Kivisto. Chapter Four: "Alcohol-Related Windows on Simmel's Social World."
Week Seven
(Feb. 21) Other Voices in the Development of Sociology
(Feb. 23) Mid-Term
Readings:
Delaney. (2004). Chapter Fourteen: "Contributions from Women to Classical Social Theory."
Week Eight
(Feb. 28) Introduction to Contemporary Theory.
(March 2) Functionalism
Readings:
Delaney. (2005). Chapter Three. "Functionalism."
Week Nine
(March 7) Conflict & Critical Theory
(March 9) lIn-Class Discussion #5 (Kivisto, Chapter 7)
Readings:
Delaney. (2005). Chapter Four. "Conflict Theory." & Chapter Ten. "Critical Theory."
Kivisto. Chapter Seven: "Critical Theory, Legitimation Crisis, and the Deindustrialization of Flint, Michigan."
Week Ten
(March 14) Symbolic Interactionism
(March 16) lIn-Class Discussion #6 (Kivisto, Chapter 10)
Readings:
Delaney. (2005). Chapter Five. "Symbolic Interactionism."
Kivisto. Chapter 10: "Goffman's Dramaturgical Sociology."
Week Eleven
(March 20-24) SPRING BREAK
Week Twelve
(March 28 & 30) Phenomenology & Ethnomethodolgy
Readings:
Delaney. (2005). Chapter Seven. "Ethnomethodology and Harold Garfinkel."
Delaney. (2005). Chapter Eight. "Phenomenology."
Week Thirteen
(April 4 & 6) Postmodernism
lIn-Class Discussion #7 (Kivisto, Chapter 11)
Readings:
Delaney. (2005). Chapter Eleven. "Modern and Postmodern Theory."
Kivisto. Chapter 11: "The 'New' Means of Consumption: A Postmodern Analysis."
Week Fourteen
(April 11) Feminist Theory
(April 13) lIn-Class Discussion #8 (Kivisto, Chapter 8)
*All Papers Due
Readings:
Delaney. (2005). Chapter Nine. "Feminist Theory."
Kivisto. Chapter 8: "The Socially Constructed Body: Insights From Feminist Theory."
Week Fifteen
(April 18 & 20) Presentations
Week Sixteen
(April 25 & 27) Presentations
Final Exam Thursday, May 4th (11:00 am-1:00 pm)