1Sociology 3140-070 Professor: Bam Dev Sharda SOCIAL THEORY Email:[email protected] M: 6.00-8.45pm Office: SBS 431 Summer 2009 Hours: by appointment Objectives This course is required of sociology majors. It is assumed that those taking this course have taken Introductory Sociology. In this course, we will examine the contributions of major sociologists and the development and status of major sociological perspectives/theories in contemporary sociology. Texts Ruth A. Wallace and Alison Wolfe, Contemporary Sociological Theory Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc.(2006), paper (Sixth Edition). (Wallace) Jonathan H. Turner, Leonard Beeghley and Charles H. Powers, The Emergence of Sociological Theory. Wadsworth (2007), Sixth Edition). (Turner) Other required and recommended readings are placed on reserve in the Marriott Library. Additional readings will be assigned. Required readings are marked with asterisk (*). Examinations and Grades There will be two (in class) exams on June 29 and August 3. Each examination will weigh equally, 40 percent of the grade. In addition, each student will review one book of his/her choice from the perspective of different theories discussed in class. 20 percent of the grade will be based on these book reviews (not to exceed more than three pages). Book reviews are due on July 27. No early or late submissions will be accepted. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in the class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services (CDS), 162 Olpin Union Building,581-5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations.2 COURSE OUTLINE Week Subject Readings PART I: INTRODUCTION I Introduction and overview: Definitions, concepts, empirical generalizations, and theory. Theory construction and verification. Readings: *Turner, Chapter 1 *Wallace, Chapter 1 *Robert Merton, Social Theory and Social Structure, Ch.2 and 3(on reserve) George C. Homans, The Nature of Social Science PART II: CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY II Classical Sociological "Evolutionists" and social theory Readings; *Turner, Chapter 3 "August Comte and the Emergence of Social Theory", and Chapter 5 "Sociology of Herbert Spencer". *Randall Collins and David Makowsky, The Discovery of Society, "William Grahm Sumner","Prophets of Paris: Saint Simon and Auguste Comte", and "Do-Gooders, Evolutionists and Racists". (on reserve) III Karl Marx, the Materialist Basis of Society, and Historical Dialectics: the Inversion of Hegelian Philosophy, the Dynamics of "Alienation," and the "Pressing Contradictions" in Capitalism; Marx and Engels' Scenarios for the Collapse of Capitalism and predictions of Post-Capitalist Society. Readings:*Turner, Chapter 6 "The Origin and Context of Marx's Thought" and Chapter 7 "The Sociology of Karl Marx.” Randall Collins and David Makowsky, The Discovery of Society, "Sociology in the Underground." (on reserve) Anthony Giddens, Capitalism and Modern Social Theory, pp. 1-64. (on reserve) IV Emile Durkheim: "Social Facts", Social Causation and Functionalism; Analyses of "Social Solidarity"-Division of Labor, Social Pathology, Religion, Knowledge, and Education3 Readings: *Turner, Chapter 13 "The Sociology of Emile Durkheim." Randall Collins and David Makowsky, The Discovery of Society, "Dreyfus's Empire: Emile Durkheim and Georges Sorel". (on reserve) Anthony Giddens, Capitalism and Modern Social Theory, Pp.65-118.(on reserve) V Max Weber: Historical Sociology and Ideal Types, Sociology of Economic History, Rationality and Social Action, Analysis of Social Stratification: Class, Status and Party, and Bases of Legitimacy Readings: *Turner, Chapter 9 "The Sociology of Max Weber." Randall Collins and David Makowsky, The Discovery of Society, "Max Weber: The Enchantment of the World". (on reserve) Anthony Giddens, Capitalism and Modern Social Theory, Pp. 119-184. VI Summery of Classical Theory and Review for Mid-Term Exam VII June 29, 2009 MID-TERM EXAM PART III: CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES I: MACRO THEORIES VIII FUNCTIONALISM (A): Grand Theory Talcott Parson (the Theory of Action, Social System, the Pattern Variables, AGIL Schema, and Societal Change, Critiques of the Grand Theory Readings: *Wallace, Ch. Two, pp. 16-44. *Talcott Parsons, Edward Shils, Kasper Naegel, and Jesse Pitts, Theories of Society, pp.30-79 (on reserve) FUNCTIONALISM (B): Middle Range Theories Robert Merton and the Middle Range Theory: a Theory of Deviance and the Role Set; and Neo-functionalism. Readings: *Wallace, Ch. Two,pp.45-66. George Ritzer, Modern Sociological Theory, pp.95-126. (On reserve)4 IX CONFLICT THEORIES (A): Critical theory Frankfurt school and Habermas, C. Wright Mills, and Pierre Bourdieu Readings: * Wallace, Ch. Three, pp. 68-117. George Ritzer, Modern Sociological Theory, pp.127-187. CONFLICT THEORIES (B): Analytical conflict sociology A legacy of Max Weber Dahrendorf, Coser and Collins Readings: * Wallace, Ch. Three, pp. 118-153. PART III: CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES II: MICRO THEORIES X George Herbert Mead: Self and Self Development; the I" and the "Me"; Charles Horton Cooley and the "Looking Glass Self"; Herbert Blumer and the Interpretation and Methodology of Symbolic Interactionism; Erving Goffman and Dramaturgical Analysis; Emotional Labor (Hoschild) and Black feminist thought (Patricia Hills Collins). Readings: *Wallace, Ch. Five, Pp. 189-251. XI Exchange and Rational Choice Theory: George Casper Homans and Elementary Forms of Social Exchange; Peter Blau and Exchange, power and Social Integration; and Richard Emerson and Exchange and Power. James Coleman and the Consequences of Individual Choice: Foundations of Social Theory. Readings: *Wallace, Ch. seven, pp. 327-366. XII August 3, 2009 FINAL EXAM (In