SOCY 3001 Classical Theory
SOCY 3001: Classical Sociological Theory
Instructor Contact
Dr. Tracy Kirkland
Email: Tracy.Kirkland@colorado.edu
Course Description:
Sociology is the systematic study of society, social institutions, and social relationships. We all have considerable experience living in society and interacting with other people. Sociology, however, offers a unique perspective with which to look at the familiar, making everyday life unfamiliar. Studying sociological theory provides students the tools to make sense of everyday social life and to critically evaluate why things are the way they are. The goal of this course is threefold: First, to understand the arguments made by several classical sociology theorists; Second, to articulate in your own words several theoretical perspectives and concepts, and; Third, to see how classical social theories and concepts relate to current issues and events in our own society.
The primary objective of this course is to learn to think sociologically using social theory. To this end, we will be reading a combination of primary sources, i.e. original and translated writings by Marx, Durkheim, Weber, etc., and secondary interpretations to in aid your comprehension of each theorists’ ideas. In addition, one or two additional news-related readings will be posted in D2L that are meant to illustrate how these social theories can be applied to current day social phenomena we are more familiar with. My hope is that you will find sociological theory intriguing, exciting, and applicable to the social world in which you live today!
This online course will explore the similar topics that are covered in an on-campus SOCY 3001 course, but the content is delivered and discussed in a different format. Short power-point presentations will be available for each week’s topic and are meant to highlight some of the most important and/or difficult aspects of the unit; the power-point mini-lectures are NOT meant to mimic on-campus class lectures. In addition, since this is an upper-division course, you are expected to take responsibility for your learning.
Objectives:
Throughout this course you will learn to:
- understand and articulate the arguments made by major classical sociology theorists;
- apply major classical sociology theoretical perspectives and concepts to current issues and events in our own society;
- evaluate an event from several theoretical perspective that could possibly explain it, and;
- develop critical thinking skills using sociological theory to analyze a social issue or event, its affect on other aspects of social life, and how the issue or event might be part of larger social processes that reinforces or challenges social structures.
Required Text:
PLEASE be sure you purchase the 3RD EDITION!!
Desfor Edles, Laura and Scott Appelrouth. 2015. Sociological Theory In The Classical Era. 3rd Edition. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
Grading:
There are several components to course evaluation, as outlined below.
*NOTE* Each component of your final grade is weighted differently.
* Exams………………………………………………………….45%
* VoiceThread Oral Explanations…………….20%
* Facebook Posts………………………………….15%
* Applied Paper……………………………………15%
* Reflection Paper………………………………………….5%