Sociology 250 - Introduction to Social Theory

Fall 2002

Instructor:                   Paul Gingrich

office:                      CL 217

telephone:                585-4196  

fax:                          585-4815

email:                       paul.gingrich@uregina.ca

url:                           http://uregina.ca/~gingrich

Classes:                      Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 10:20 a.m., CL407

Office Hours:              Monday 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Friday 10:30 a.m – 11:30 a.m.,

or by appointment.

 

Texts:

Bert N. Adams and R. A. Sydie, Sociological Theory. HM585 A33 2001

Additional materials located at the reserve desk of the University Library or on the above web site.

 

Assigments and Grading:

October 9        First short paper due                                           12 points

October 21     Midterm examination                                          25 points

November 18   Second short paper due                                      12 points       

December 9     Third short paper due                                         12 points

December 9     Final examination, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon           35 points

                        Discussion and participation                                  4 points

                        Total                                                                100 points

 

Special Needs: If there is any student in this course who, because of a disability, may have a need for accommodations, please discuss this with the instructor.  You should also contact the Coordinator of Special Needs Services at 585-463l.

 

Calendar Description: 

An introductory discussion of the emergence of sociological theory, the work of the "founding figures," as well as major developments in 20th-century thought. 

Sociology 250, Fall 2002.  Tentative Class Schedule and Readings

Week of:

September 3                             Introduction                              Ch. 1-2

September 9                             Durkheim                                 Ch. 4

September 16                           Marx                                        Ch. 5

September 23                           Marx                                        Ch. 5-6

September 30                           Weber                                      Ch. 7

October 7                                Weber                                      Ch. 7

October 14                              Simmel                                     Ch. 8

October 21                              Other voices                             Ch. 11-12

October 28                              Society, self, mind                     Ch. 13

November 4                             Functionalism                            Ch. 14

November 11                           Conflict approaches                  Ch. 16-18

November 18                           Contemporary approaches        Ch. 20-23

November 25                           Canadian approaches               handouts

December 2                             Review                                     Ch. 19, 24

December 9                             Final examination, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

 

Class Description:

This class provides a survey of theoretical approaches to the study of sociology.  We first examine the approaches of the founding figures of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century – Durkheim, Marx, Weber, and Simmel – these are the subjects of the midterm examination.  Following this, we examine early sociological approaches to social interaction, women, and minorities.  We then survey more recent functionalist, conflict, and social interactionist approaches.  Near the end of the semester we discuss contemporary approaches to the study of sociology; the class concludes with a short discussion of postmodern social theory and Canadian contributions to the study of sociology.  

The three short papers are on specific topics and are to be three to five double-spaced pages in length.  The four points for discussion and participation will be assessed by the instructor, based on participation.  The final examination is a comprehensive examination, with greater emphasis placed on issues examined in the last half of the semester.

 

Paul Gingrich

Last revised August 28, 2002