University of North Texas - Dallas

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1 University of North Texas - Dallas Course Title: SOCI 3200D Sociological Theory Semester: Spring 2014 Instructor: Dr. Adrian James Tan Adrian.Tan@unt.edu Office hours: By appointment Course Catalog Description Survey of the development of social theory; emphasizes nature and the types of contemporary theory. Required Texts Craib, Ian Classical Social Theory. New York: Touchstone Marx, Karl and Friedrich Engel The Communist Manifesto. New York: Penguin Books. (Originally published 1848.) Weber, Max The Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism. London: Routledge Press. (Originally published 1905.) Tan, Adrian James Humans and the Environment. San Diego: Cognella Press. Tan, Adrian James and Doug Brignole Million Dollar Muscle. San Diego: Cognella Press. Access to Learning Resources UNT Dallas Library: Phone: (972) Web: UNT Dallas Bookstore: Phone: (972) mgr@fheg.follett.com Course Goals and Objectives The purpose of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the range of classical and contemporary sociological theories and perspectives. Key to this course is the examination or epistemological and ontological assumptions underpinning sociological theories. This goal is accomplished through the emphasis as to how sociological theories view the nature of individuals, social order, and their interrelationship. Departmental Academic Outcomes By the end of the semester, students should be able to do the following: 1

2 i. Identify assumptions underlying theoretical arguments. ii. Identify limitations of theoretical arguments. iii. Understand alternative viewpoints on social scientific issues. iv. Describe how theory contributes to sociological knowledge. v. Compare and contrast major theoretical orientations. vi. Explain how theories reflect and affect the historical context in which they are developed. vii. Explain basic concepts such as culture, roles, norms, social structure, social institution, socialization, and stratification. Attendance Attendance will make up 10% of your final grade. Hence, it is imperative that you attend class regularly. Students with 6 unexcused absences will be automatically dropped from the class. Students with excessive tardiness will also suffer to same consequences. Please inform the instructor in advance if you are unable to attend class due to reasons beyond your control. Students who are absent due to unforeseen circumstances should inform the instructor of the situation at the soonest time possible. A sign in sheet will be passed during class, and it is your responsibility to have your name signed. Failure to sign your name on the attendance sheet is considered an absence. Please note that students with excused absences are still responsible for the information covered in class. It is your responsibility to catch up with the instructor or fellow students on the materials you missed. Assessment Students are graded on the following: Take Home Exams (3) 90% Attendance 10% Take Home Exams Each take home exam is worth 30% of your total grade. Hence I urge you to take these seriously. You are asked a total of four questions, and you have to answer them accordingly, making reference to your readings, and show proof that you have read and understood the materials covered in class. Grade Scale The Grade Scale for this class is as follows: 90 above A 80 to 89.9 B 70 to 79.9 C 60 to 69.9 D below F 2

3 Classroom Expectations Students are expected to keep up with the assigned readings. This is the basic component for success in this course. Though the assign readings may appear cumbersome, they are easy to follow. Look for themes that come out consistently. Even if you appear not to understand the readings initially, do not be discouraged. Just keep on reading. It will all come together eventually. Students are to be on time for class and not to leave early without permission. People coming in late and leaving early caused unnecessary disruptions and are a detriment to those who want to learn. Students who consistently come late to class may have their grades adversely affected. Beepers and cell phones are to be turned off when class is in session. I will remind students to do so before every class session. Class Participation Students are encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussions. Opinions should be well thought of and based on facts. You are free to attack the positions others take, but by no means should your attacks be personal of any nature. Be respectful of others. You are strongly encouraged to take part in class discussions. Class Behavior Students are expected to maintain proper decorum in class. Disruptive behavior is not tolerated. Profanities and any slurs based on one s ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origins, veteran status, and disabilities are not tolerated. Guilty students face the possibility of disciplinary action. Academic Dishonesty Students caught cheating on class assignments, quizzes and papers will receive an automatic F for the course. Disciplinary action may also be taken against students who engage academic dishonesty. Since class attendance is considered towards your final grade, cheating on attendance (having a friend sign your name on the roll sheet in your absence etc) is considered academic dishonesty. Refer to the University Student Code of Academic Integrity at the website. Students with Disabilities (ADA Compliance) The University f North Texas-Dallas faculty is committed to complying with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students with documented disabilities are responsible for informing the faculty of their needs for reasonable accommodations and providing written authorized documentation. Grade assigned before an accommodation is provided will not be changed as accommodations are not retroactive. For more information, you may visit the Student Life Office, Suite 200, Building 2. Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness Policy The Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness (SETE) is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey is made available to you at the end of the semester, providing you with a chance to comment as to how this class was taught. I am interested in your feedback, as I am committed to improve on my teaching 3

4 methods. I consider the SETE an important component in your class participation. Announcements, Course Documents, and Reading Assignments Announcements, Course Documents, and reading assignments are posted on Blackboard weekly. It is important that you refer to Blackboard regularly. It is your responsibility to keep yourself updated The End Course Schedule: Note that this is a projected course schedule which is subject to change as the semester progresses. The instructor reserves the right to make any changes to the schedule. Note that this is a conservative schedule. If the semester progresses ahead of schedule, Contemporary Theorists like Robert Merton and Talcott Parsons will be included. Weeks One and Two: What are theories? Why are theories important? What roles do theories play in our study of social sciences? The Advent of the Modern Age The Age of Enlightenment The Industrial Revolution The rise of Capitalism as the money market economy Craib, Ian Classical Social Theory. Pages 1 to 42 Tan, Adrian James Humans and the Environment. Pages 1 to 72 Tan, Adrian James Million Dollar Muscles. Chapters 1 to 7 Weeks Three and Four: Adam Smith s Theory of Classical Capitalism The Protestant Reformation Enlightenment Philosophies: British Empiricism, Rationalism, German Idealism, British Utilitarianism, French Positivism, American Transcendentalism Craib, Ian Classical Social Theory. Pages 43 to 59 Tan, Adrian James Humans and the Environment. Pages 73 to 87 Tan, Adrian James Million Dollar Muscles. Chapters 8 to 11 Take Home Exam 1 Due Weeks Five and Six: Introduction to the four Classical Sociological Theorists: Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Georg Simmel. Look at the life histories of each theorist and the social political climates of each theorist lifetime. Craib, Ian Classical Social Theory. Pages 43 to 59 Marx, Karl and Friedrich Engels The Communist Manifesto. Chapter 1 Bourgeois and Proletarian and Chapter 2 Proletarians and Communists. Tan, Adrian James Humans and the Environment. Pages 89 to 117 Tan, Adrian James Million Dollar Muscles. Chapters 12 to 18 4

5 Weeks Seven and Eight: Discussion of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engel s The Communist Manifesto (1848) and Emile Durkheim s Suicide (1897). Georg Simmel The Stranger (1908), and Metropolis and Mental Life (1903) Craib, Ian Classical Social Theory. Pages 61 to 118 Marx, Karl and Friedrich Engels The Communist Manifesto. Chapters 3 Socialist and Communist Literature, and Chapter 4 Position of the Communists. Weber, Max The Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism. Introduction, Chapter 1 Religious Affiliation and Social Stratification, Chapter 2 The Spirit of Capitalism, and Chapter 3 Luther s Conception of The Calling. Weeks Nine to Ten: Max Weber s theory, and The Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism, Emile Durkheim s Elementary Forms of Religious Life, Division of Labor, and Georg Simmel s theory of Industrial Societies. Reading Assignments: Craib, Ian Classical Social Theory. Pages 119 to 183 Weber, Max The Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism. Chapter 4 The Religious Foundation of Worldly Asceticism, and Chapter 5 Asceticism and the Spirit of Capitalism. Georg Simmel: Prostitution (1907), The Miser and the Spendthrift (1907) Weeks Eleven to Twelve: Take Home Exam 2 Due Karl Marx s Labor Theory of Value, and the essay Wage, Labor, and Capital (1849). Max Weber s theory of Rational Action, Domination, and the Iron Cage of Bureaucracy. Readings: Craib, Ian Classical Social Theory. Pages 183 to 271 Tan, Adrian James Humans and the Environment. Pages 89 to 105 Tan, Adrian James Million Dollar Muscles. Chapter 11 The Gym Bussiness Weeks Thirteen to Fourteen: Charles Horton Cooley s The Looking Glass Self George Herbert Mead s Mind, Self, and Society Herbert Blumer s Symbolic Interaction Erving Goffman Dramaturgical Approach Assigned Readings Tan, Adrian James Million Dollar Muscles. Chapters 5 Individual vs. Society, and Chapter 10 The Social Psychology of the Iron Game. Weeks Fifteen and Sixteen: 5

6 Theories on Global Stratification: World Systems Theory Dependency Theory Modernization Theory Assigned Readings: Tan, Adrian James Humans and the Environment. Pages 119 to 136 Take Home Exam 3 Due The End 6