Sociology
250 - Introduction to Social Theory
Winter
2003
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., CL345
Office Hours: Monday 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Thursday 10:00 a.m – 11:00 a.m.,
or by appointment.
Texts:
Bert N. Adams and R. A. Sydie, Sociological Theory
Additional readings located at reserve desk of University Library or on web site.
Assignments and Grading:
January 31 First short paper due 12 points
February 12 Midterm examination 25 points
March 10 Second short paper due 12 points
April 23 Third short paper due 12 points
April 23 Final examination, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon 35 points
Discussion and participation 4 points
Total 100 points
Faculty
of Arts Academic Announcements – see attached
page
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, Winter 2003. Class Schedule and Readings
Week of:
January 6 Introduction Ch. 1
January 13 Durkheim Ch. 4
January 20 Marx Ch. 5
January 27 Marx Ch. 5
February 3 Weber Ch. 7
February 10 Weber Ch. 7
February 17 Midterm break
February 24 Simmel Ch. 8
March 3 Microsociological approaches Ch. 13, 20
March 10 Other voices Ch. 11-12
March 17 Functionalism Ch. 14
March 24 Conflict approaches Ch. 16-18
March 31 Contemporary approaches Section IX
April 7 Canadian approaches handouts
April 23 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 ideas of Durkheim, Marx, and Weber, the founding figures of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century –– these are the subjects of the midterm examination. Following this, we examine early sociological approaches to social interaction, gender, and ethnicity. We then survey functionalist and conflict 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.
In the papers, you are to examine and discuss specific topics; paper length is to be three to five double-spaced pages. I will award up to four points for class discussion and participation. The final examination is a comprehensive examination, with greater emphasis placed on issues examined in the last half of the semester.
Last edited January 3, 2003