Foundations of Social Theory

SOC 4193

T, TH 2:00-3:15

CH 255

Fall 2002

Dr. Lara Foley

Office: Chapman 210

Phone: 631-2050

E-mail: lara-foley@tulsa.edu

Website: http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~lara-foley

Office Hours: T, H 9:30-10:30 or by appointment

 

Course Description

This course will introduce you to classical sociological theories.  We will examine these theories, their authors and their language within the particular historical, political, and social contexts out of which they emerged. We will also practice actively theorizing about our own social worlds.

 

Required Texts

Kimmel, Michael S. and Charles Stephen.  1998.  Social and Political Theory, Classical Readings.  Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

 

Adams, Bert N. and R.A. Sydie.  2002.  Classical Sociological Theory.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.

 

A coursepacket available at Kinkos located across from campus at  2828 E. 11th.

 

Course Requirements and Evaluation Criteria

Exam 1                                                             45%                             

Exam 2                                                             45%                 

Quizzes                                                            10%                             

                                                                        ________                                 

                                                            100 %

 

Attendance and Participation                    

Attendance is not required in this class, but this does not mean that it is not important.  A major component of this course is active discussion, for this reason it is important that you be in class.  If you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out from your classmates any announcement or material covered on that date.

 

Reading Quizzes (10%)

There will be pop quizzes throughout the semester based on the assigned readings.  These quizzes will not be announced.  There will be NO make-up quizzes.  In other words, you must be in class the day of the quiz to receive credit.  You may drop two quiz grades.

 

Midterm Exam (45%)

There will be a mid-term exam covering all course material including readings, lectures, guest lectures and films.  The exam may include short-answer and short essays. 

 

 

 

Final Exam (45%)

There will be a final exam covering all course material including readings, lectures, guest lectures and films from the second half of the semester.  The exam may include short-answer and short essays. 

 

 

Important Information

1.             Discrimination, harassment, or intimidation will not be tolerated.  Everyone has the right to their own opinion, but should also remember that others also have the right to a classroom free from hostility, ridicule, or embarrassment, and an atmosphere conducive to learning.  Every student is expected to participate in a responsible and mature manner that enhances education.  Any conduct that disrupts the learning process may lead to disciplinary action.

2.                   See the Student Handbook for the University of Tulsa’s policies on plagiarism and academic misconduct.  You are responsible for understanding what plagiarism is and avoiding it.  If you have questions, please ask me.

3.                   Students with disabilities should contact the Center for Student Academic Support to self-identify their need in order to facilitate their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The Center for Student Academic Support is in Holmes Student Center, Room 59.

4.                   All students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with and take advantage of services provided by the Center for Student Academic Support such as tutoring, academic counseling, and developing study skills.  The center for Student Academic Support provides confidential consultations to any student with academic concerns as well as to students with disabilities.

 

Important Dates:

Oct. 15 - Midterm Exam

Dec. 16 - Final Exam (1:00-3:25pm)

 

Key:

A&S – Adams and Sydie

K&S – Kimmel and Stephen

Cp – coursepack

 

Reading Schedule:*

T Aug. 27 –       introduction to course

H Aug. 29 –       A&S –   chapter 1 - The European Roots of Sociological Theory

T Sept. 3 –        K&S –   Hobbes “Selections from Leviathan”

                                    Locke “Selections from Two Treatises on Government”

                                    Jefferson “Declaration of Independence”

H Sept. 5 –        K&S – Rousseau “Selections from The Social Contract or Principles of                                                                             

                                                            Political Right”

                                    Wollenscroft  “Selections from Vindication of the Rights of Man”

                                                 “Selections from Vindication of the Rights of Woman”

T Sept. 10 –      A&S –   chapter 2 – Theorizing After the Revolution

H Sept. 12 –      K&S –   Martineau “Selections from Society in America”

T Sept. 17 –      A&S –   Chapter 4 – Society as Sui Generis

H Sept. 19 –      cp –      Durkheim “Suicide”

T Sept. 24 –      K&S –   Durkheim “Division of Labor”

   “Religious Life”

H Sept. 26 –      A&S –   Chapter 5 – Radical Anticapitalism

T Oct. 1 –          K&S –   Marx “Labor and Capital”

            Cp. –    Marx “Alienation”

H Oct. 3 –         K&S -   Marx “Manifesto Communist”

T Oct. 8 –           K&S –   Frederick Douglass “Selections from Narrative of the Life of Frederick                          Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself”

            Margaret Fuller “Selections from Women in the Nineteenth Century”

H Oct. 10 –        A&S -   chapter 10 – Economic Sociological Theories (pp. 246-253)

            K&S –   Veblen “Theory of the Leisure Class”

            “Economic Theory of Women’s Dress”

T Oct. 15 –        A&S –   chapter 7 -  Social Action and Social Complexity

H Oct. 17 –        K&S –   Weber “Class, Status, Party”

            Cp -      Weber “Spirit of capitalism”

T Oct. 22 –        K&S –   Weber “Bureaucracy”

           “Charasmatic Authority”

H Oct. 24 –        Cp -      Marianne Weber “Reflections on Women and Work Issues”

T Oct. 29 –        A&S –   chapter 8 – The Sociology of Form and Content

H Oct. 31 –        K&S –   Simmel “Group affiliations”

            Cp. –    Simmel “Fashion”; “The Stranger”; “Flirtation”

T Nov. 5 –         A&S –   Chapter 11 – Society and Gender (pp. 267-278)

H Nov. 7 –        K&S –   Gilman “Women and Economics”

T Nov. 12 –       A&S –   chapter 12  - Sociological Theories of Race

K&S -   W.E.B. Dubois “Souls of Black Folks”; “Darkwater”; “Votes for                                    Women”

H Nov. 14 –       CP-       Anna Julia Cooper “from A Voice from the South

T Nov. 19 -        A&S –   Chapter 13 – Society, Self and Mind (pp. 311-329)

            Cp –     Mead “The Fusion of the ‘I’ and the ‘Me’ in Social Activities”

H Nov. 21––      Cp -      Chicago Women’s School Jane Adams “Utilization of Women in City Government”

T Nov. 26 - Thanksgiving

H Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving

T Dec. 3 - TBA

H Dec. 5 – TBA

 

*I reserve the right to change the schedule as needed.