- 1 -CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY*Course information: Contact information:Sociology 475 (Section 3) Jay BurlinghamSpring 2007 Office: 8107 Social ScienceT/R 1:00 – 2:15 Email: [email protected] Social Science Office Hours: R 2:30 – 3:30/by appt.Overview and DescriptionThis course is designed to introduce you to some of the main works of thinkers who are nowconsidered classical sociological theorists: Karl Marx (1818-1883) and Friedrich Engels (1820-1895), Max Weber (1864-1920), Emile Durkheim (1858-1917), and Georg Simmel (1858-1918).We will consider their explanations and understandings of economic, political, and culturalchanges that Western societies were undergoing in the 19th and early 20th centuries.Rather than relying on a textbook or other secondary sources, we will engage these authors’writings directly, doing intensive reading of original texts in order to gain first-hand knowledgeof their theoretical arguments. The readings are often dense and difficult, and many times youwill need to read things twice in order to grasp what you have read. But do not be intimidated!You should think of these readings as a challenge to overcome, like a puzzle to solve. In someways, reading dense theoretical writing is like reading Shakespeare: once you have someexposure to it and some practice, you can discern the rhythm and flow of the writing, and thingsstart to make sense. It might not seem like it at first, but reading material like this is a skill likeany other; it can be learned and refined, and the more you do it, the better you will get at it, andthe more you will enjoy it. And in any case, I will be there as a guide to structure our discussionof the material, and to help place it in a broader historical and theoretical context.We have two main goals in reading and discussion this material in the course:(1) To understand the theoretical arguments that the authors are making (including the logic oftheir arguments, their underlying assumptions, internal contradictions and other difficultiesthat the arguments might encounter); and(2) To use these readings as examples of how to construct theoretical arguments in sociology.Rather than simply “reacting” to the texts, and critiquing or defending their assertions, wewill focus on using the readings to begin learning how to make theoretically coherentarguments and to begin to support those arguments with empirical data. * As with all syllabi, things are not set in stone, and are subject to change. I will give ample advance notice of anyimportant changes.- 2 -Requirements and ExpectationsAttendanceAttendance at all class sessions is required. More than two absences in section will begin tonegatively affect your grade. After five unexcused absences, your final letter grade will fall one-half grade for each class period missed. For example, six unexcused absences will turn a finalgrade of B into a BC. (Please note that there is no CD; a C will drop to a D with six absences.)Out of respect for the other students, please make it to class on time. If you have an unavoidablescheduling conflict that makes it difficult for you to do so, please let me know so what we canfigure out a compromise arrangement.ReadingYou must do the assigned reading before class (as otherwise it will be exceedingly difficult to getmuch out of class, and make it near impossible to contribute to our discussion), and you mustbring the book(s) we are using to class (as we will refer frequently to them). You do not need tohave “mastered” the class session’s reading beforehand, but you should be able to engage inclass discussion knowledgeably, and be able to cite what you are talking about in the text itself.This will require you to take good notes on the reading and to think about it before you come toclass. On occasion I will give you questions to consider while doing the reading, to help orientyou to the text.AssignmentsThis should go with out saying, but you need to take both the midterm and the final exam inorder to pass this class! You will also need to take the periodic pop quizzes and participate inclass.Academic HonestyPlease refer to http://www.wisc.edu/students/saja/misconduct/UWS14.html for official universitypolicy on plagiarism and other Academic Misconduct. You are expected to be familiar withthese guidelines before you submit any written work or take any exams in this course. I assumethat all of you are honest in your work, but I will prosecute any instances of AcademicMisconduct according to official university policies and procedures.Learning EnvironmentThe University of Wisconsin–Madison is a world-class university, and you have all worked hardto get here. We all owe it to each other to make this course a positive educational experience.We will respect each other. Our beliefs, values, and ideas often differ from one another, and wedraw from different life experiences. In this course, we will discuss, question, and challengeideas – including our own assumptions and interpretations – but we need to be careful not toattack individuals or to create an unsafe, unproductive space where constructive dialogue is notpossible. The goal of this course is for us all to increase and challenge our own understandings.Please ask questions, share your thoughts, and make this course meaningful to you.- 3 -Office HoursPlease be pro-active about any difficulties you are having in class. Please feel free to come to mefor guidance at any time. I will keep the office hours listed above, but if those times areinconvenient, you can also make an appointment to see me outside of office hours. Please alsofeel free to contact me any time via the email address above as well.Assignments and Grading DetailParticipation: 20 percent of course gradePeriodic Pop Quizzes (10 percent):To provide an incentive for keeping up with the reading, I will periodically give pop quizzes (10total) at the beginning of class. The quizzes will be easy for those who have done the reading,and difficult for those who have not.Class Participation (10 percent):To provide even more incentive for keeping up with the reading, you will also be graded on yourclass participation. You do not have to “know the answer” in order to participate in classdiscussion. You need only demonstrate your own serious and honest engagement with thecourse material and our class