Sociology II

Viktoriya KIM (Graduate School of Human Sciences)

Cource Objective
   This course is designed to introduce you to major theoretical perspectives in sociology and relate theories to our everyday life. The course will cover classical and contemporary sociological theories, and we will study how they can be implemented in the sociological research. In particular, we will cover main concepts from the founders of sociology, such as Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx and Max Weber, as well as contemporary theoretical approaches, such as grand theories, theories of everyday life, feminist theories and so on. Since "theories involve constructing abstract interpretations that can be used to explain a wide variety of empirical or 'factual' situations" (Giddens 2011: p. 11 ), we will draw from current events happening worldwide and apply various sociological perspectives to explain them.

Requirement / Prerequisite
   No

Course Content
   Week 1. Introduction to Course. Sociological Theory
   Week 2. Part 1. Introduction to Classical Sociological Theory
   Historical Development  the Early Years
   Week 3. Historical Development  the Later Years
   Week 4. Part 2. Classical Theories and Contemporary Developments
   Social Order: Emile Durkheim
   Week 5. Social Order: Contemporary Theorists
   Week 6. Capitalism: Karl Marx
   Week 7. Review
   Week 8. Capitalism: Contemporary Theorists
   Week 9. Rational Society: Max Weber
   Week 10. Rational Society: Contemporary Theorists
   Week 11. Alternative Knowledges: W.E.B. Du Bois, Simone de Beauvoir and
   Contemporary Theorists
   Week 12. Self and Society: George Herbert Mead, Georg Simmel and
   Contemporary Theorists
   Week 13. Review
   Week 14. Part 3. Evaluation of the Development of Sociological Theory
   Week 15. Course Review

Class Plan
   The course will be delivered utilizing a blend of lectures, practical activities, students' presentations, group discussions and case study investigations. You are expected to prepare for each class by doing all required readings and assignments, and participate in class discussions. In addition, you will write your reflections, opinion and questions on the topic at the end of each class.

Textbooks

• Longhofer, W. and Daniel Winchester, 2012. Social Theory Re-Wired: New Connections to Classical and Contemporary Perspectives, New York and London: Routledge.
• Ritzer, G., 2013. Sociological Theory (Ninth Edition), McGraw Hill.
• Ritzer, G. and Douglas J. Goodman, 2005. Classical Sociological Theory (Fourth Edition), McGraw Hill.
• Ritzer, G. and Jeffrey Stepnisky, 2013. Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots. The Basics (Fourth Edition), McGraw Hill.

Grading Policy

• Attendance and Class Participation: 15%
  Students are expected to attend each class session, engage in active discussion and submit question/opinion cards.
• Reading Assignment: 50% (2×25%)
  In this assignment students will be allocated a particular theorist, read his/her primary theory as well as secondary texts, and then present their understandings concerning the main ideas/concepts of the theorist. Emphasis will be on relating these understandings to contemporary issues using examples (e.g., drawn from media sources such as newspaper articles or short videos) and on leading discussion on the works of the theorist and their impact on sociological theory.
• Final Essay: 35%
  In this assignment students will analyze a media source using one classical and one contemporary sociological theory. Your essay should include a brief introduction of issues that you want to focus from the particular media piece, explanation of the topics, ideas or concepts of the theorists you chose and an interpretation of how the piece can be connected to the theorists' ideas. And finally, add some comparison and evaluation of theories, discuss their limitations and significance in relation to the issues raised in the media source.

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