Introduction to Social Theory
Curriculum guideline
The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following: formal lectures, class discussions. Audio-visual aids will be introduced when appropriate.
- Introduction: the aims of Sociology and the role of theory within the discipline.
- The origins of social theory (i.e. Auguste Comte; Herbert Spencer and Social Darwinism; Harriet Martineau; W.E.B. Dubois; Jane Addams)
- Emile Durkheim and the origins of functionalism
- Karl Marx
- Max Weber
- Classical theories of everyday life
- Contemporary functionalism
- Contemporary theories of everyday life
- NeoMarxism
- Classical and contemporary feminism
- Critical race theory
- Theories of modernity
- Post-Structuralism
- Postmodernism
- Theories of globalization
At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:
- Outline the historical development of sociological theory.
- Distinguish between the different schools of thought within sociological theory.
- Identify major sociological theorists and the theoretical concepts associated with them.
- Compare and contrast different types of sociological theory.
- Evaluate and discuss sociological theories critically.
- Analyze sociological concepts and issues using various forms of sociological theory.
- Discuss the relevance of sociological research to the development of sociological theory and vice versa.
Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific criteria during the first week of classes.
Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in the course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.
An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:
|
Three Exams |
60% |
|
Research Outline |
5% |
|
Term Paper Assignment |
25% |
|
Class Participation |
10% |
|
Total |
100% |
Students may conduct research with human participants as part of their coursework in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving humans.
Examples of textbooks that may be used in this course include:
- Sears, A. and Cairns, J. (2015) A Good Book in Theory: Making Sense Through Inquiry. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
- Dillon, M. (2014). Introduction to Sociological Theory. Toronto: Wiley.
- Kivisto, P. (2013) Social Theory: Roots and Branches. New York: Oxford University Press.
- Ritzer, G. (2012). Contemporary Social Theory and Its Classical Roots. New York: McGraw-Hill
- Mann, D. (2011). Understanding Society: A Survey of Modern Social Theory. Toronto: Oxford University Press.
- Ransome, P. (2010). Social Theory for Beginners. Bristol: Policy Press.
- Allan, K. (2010). The Social Lens: An Invitation to Social and Sociological Theory. Toronto: Pearson Education Canada.