Sociology | Social Theory
S340 | 3778 | Jimerson
COAS INTENSIVE WRITING SECTION
REQUIRES ENROLLMENT IN COAS W333
This course will give you an overview of social theories. Although we
will emphasize the works of three European men who have had the
greatest influence on American sociologists, we will also supplement
those classics with the works of more contested, contemporary, and
culturally diverse social theorists. Hopefully, reading what other
great theorists have said about human relationships will make you
ponder your own relationships -- relationships that you've had, have,
and will have.
Throughout this course, I will highlight the relevance between social
theories and personal actions. Theories are models of how the world
works. Thus, social theories are models of the social world. As Kurt
Lewin said, "There is nothing so practical as a good theory." If you
understand how the world works (physically or socially), then you
will achieve more with less effort than most people. Yet, no theory
really captures the world's complexity. Indeed, theories often
contradict each other. Therefore, we will not only try to comprehend
how each theory relates to our own experiences, but we will also seek
to understand how each theory confirms or contradicts each of the
other theories. We will learn about our world by examining how social
theorists have comprehended their worlds.
READINGS: Purchase the books listed below soon. You must also buy a
pack of 3x5 index cards!
Contemporary Sociological Theory: Continuing the Classical Tradition
by Wallace & Wolf.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United
States of America
Social Theory: The Multicultural and Classic Readings edited by
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx