This course is the first one of two courses that cover sociological theory. Organizationally, the two courses cover different phases of a historical timeframe. Classical Sociological Theory addresses early developments in the history of sociological theory. Classical Theory class is an overview of major works of social thought from the beginning of the modern era through the 1920s. Attention is paid to social and intellectual contexts, conceptual frameworks and methods, and contributions to contemporary social analysis. Theories are examined within a historical social context to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the social circumstances in which various sociological ideologies arose.
This course surveys the writings of some of the major sociological theorists and schools of thought, and focuses on their interrelationships, and tensions among them. Writers include Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Adam Smith, Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. We will examine the links between the classical and contemporary worlds, allowing us to see how classical social theory has helped to shape the ideas of today.
By the end of the course, you will:
● Understand major concepts and ideas presented by key classical theorists of contemporary social thought.
● Grasp how social, political, economic, intellectual, and biographical factors can influence theoretical ideas.
● Comprehend how classical theoretical ideas in sociology build on and can help us to understand current events or circumstances.
By the end of the semester, you will be able to cultivate critical reading and writing strategies and apply the knowledge acquired in the course to grasp the world around us. In particular, you will be able to
● Explain the basic theoretical concepts we cover
● Critically assess and integrate the information you gained
● Critically examine our contemporary society using these concepts.
● Formulate and support arguments with evidence by using theoretical principles.
● Synthesize and articulate information using written and oral communication skills.
● Develop a reasoned argument to support your position in your critical reading critically evaluate contemporary issues in cultural artifacts, in the media as well as in everyday life.
- Teacher: Gulhanim Caliskan