SOCIOLOGY A402/601: Theories of Sociology

Fall 2007, M/W: 1:00 - 2:15 PM, Room: UC 114

Professor: Karl T. Pfeiffer, Ph.D.

Telephone: 786-1746, Fax: 786-1737, E-mail: afktp@uaa.alaska.edu.

Office: Philosophy/Communications Dept. - ADM 264; Office Hours: F, 8:30 - 9:45 AM, or by appointment.

Web site: http://afktp.uaa.alaska.edu

Required Reading:

· Collins, Randall. 1992. Sociological Insight: An Introduction to Non-Obvious Sociology. 2^nd Edition, New York: Oxford University Press. (ISBN: 0-19-507442-4)

· Hechter, Michael and Christine Horne (eds.) 2003. Theories of Social Order: A Reader. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. (ISBN: 0-8047-4611-7)

Recommended Reading:

· Heilbroner, Robert L. 1999. The Worldly Philosophers: The Lives, Times, and Ideas of the Great Economic Thinkers. New York: Touchstone. (ISBN: 0-684-86214-X)

Course Description:

This course provides an overview of sociological theories. A particular emphasis is given to Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Max Weber, and George Herbert Mead and their influences on subsequent social theory and research

Objective 1: To develop familiarity with key theoretical concepts of historically dominant sociological paradigms, and to develop familiarity with the work of at least one theorist whose work helped define a particular paradigm.

Objective 2: To develop and utilize critical/evaluative skills in assessing the merit and potential of sociological theories, particularly in relationship to empirical research.

Course Requirements:

1 Attendance and participation are required in accordance with university policy. Assigned reading should be completed prior to class. This is a seminar-style course. Consequently, informed discussion is required.

2 There will be four (4) exam essays due as noted on the course schedule. These exam essays are open-book, open-note, take-home assignments. Exams # 1 and #2 are worth up to 100 points each. Exams #3 and #4 are worth up to 50 points each. Exam essays should be 4 - 6 pages long and must be typed. Handwritten exams will not be accepted. These essays are worth a maximum of 300 points (67%) toward the final grade. Students may do presentations on selected topics from exam essays for up to 10 points extra credit toward the final grade. These presentations will be given during the last regular class day or on the final exam day.

3 Class participation will include graded small group discussions, short essays, quizzes, and other in-class assignments. The purpose of these exercises is to encourage thoughtful consideration of class topics. Class attendance is required for these in-class exercises at the time that the activity is done. Make-up work is not assigned when classes are missed, or when late arrivals or early departures prevent the completion of these assignments. It is highly recommended that students maintain a file of these exercises. These assignments range in point value from 1 to 10 points each. They are worth a maximum of 150 points (33%) toward the final grade.

4 No late assignments are accepted. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date noted on the class schedule. In the event that a legitimate reason prevents the submission of assignments as required, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure the professor is contacted prior to the due date.

Grades will be based on the following total scores:

419 - 450 points = A (93 -100%)

378 - 418 points = B (84 - 92%)

315 - 377 points = C (70 - 83%)

270 - 314 points = D (60 - 69%)

0 - 269 points = F (less than 60%)

Class Schedule:

8/27	Review syllabus.	10/22	Hechter: Part IIE (10, 11).
8/29	Hechter: Part IA (1)	10/24	Hechter: Part IIE (12, 13,).
9/5	Hechter: Part IB (2)	10/29	Hechter: Part IIE (14).
9/10	Essay #1 Due. Intro Collins	10/31	Essay #3 Due. Intro Hecher F, G, & H
9/12	Collins: Ch. 1.	11/5	Hechter: Part IIF (16, 17, 18).
9/17	Collins: Ch. 2.	11/7	Hechter: Part IIG (19, 20).
9/19	Collins: Ch. 3.	11/12	Hechter: Part IIG (video).
9/24	Collins: Ch. 4.	11/14	Hechter: Part IIG (video)
9/26	Collins: Ch. 5.	11/19	Hechter: Part IIG (21, 22, 23).
10/1	Essay #2 Due. Intro Hecher C, D & E	11/26	Hechter: Part IIH (24, 25).
10/3	Hechter: Part IIC.	11/28	Hechter: Part IIH (26, 27).
10/8	Hechter: Part IID (4).	12/3	Hechter: Part IIH (28).
10/10	Hechter: Part IID (5, 6).	12/5	Essay #4 Due Hechter: Conclusion
10/15	Hechter: Part IID (7, 8).	12/10	Presentations. 1:00 PM
10/17	Hechter: Part IIE (9).

Exam Essays:

1. Locate and read the following articles. Identify the theoretical frame of reference (paradigm) used for each article. Use these articles to explain the following theories: functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism. Use each theory to explain some aspect of specific personal experience. (Note: Your essays should clearly demonstrate that you read and understood each article.)

§ Gans, Herbert J., 1971. “The Uses of Poverty: The Poor Can Pay All,” Social Policy (July/August 1971): 20-24.

§ Rosenhan, David L., “On Being Sane in Insane Places,” Science 179 (January 19, 1973): 250-258.

§ Marx, Karl and Fredrich Engels. 1979 [1848]. The Manifesto of the Communist Party. New York: Penguin Books.

2. Select an article or book that describes empirical sociological research. Explain the theoretical frame of reference, conclusions of the empirical work, and contributions to relevant broader theory. Attach the selected article to your paper.

3. Select five (5) articles from categories ‘D’ - Meaning, and ‘E’ – Values and Norms, of the collected theoretical solutions to the problem of social order from the Hecter text. Briefly summarize each article. Present and argue (as necessary) how they may be integrated into a broader theoretical explanation (functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interaction). Critique that collective explanation.

4. Select five (5) articles from categories: ‘F’ – Power and Authority, ‘G’ – Spontaneous Order, and ‘H’ – Groups and Networks, of the collected theoretical solutions to the problem of social order from the Hecter text. Briefly summarize each article. Present and argue (as necessary) how they may be integrated into a broader theoretical explanation (functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interaction). Critique that collective explanation.