SOC PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY: CLASSIC SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

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1 SOC PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY: CLASSIC SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY Fall 2004 Instructor: Luis Felipe Sfeir-Younis GSIs: Amanda Toler, Sadia Saeed, Andy Clarno, Byung Ho Lee, James Leija Meeting Time: Mondays & Wednesdays: 10:00 11:00 AM Meeting Location: NS Auditorium Office Hours: Thursdays 3-5 PM or by appointment S. University, Room INTRODUCTION: Welcome to our Principles of Sociology (Classic Sociological Theory) class. This survey of sociological principles and problems has as its main purpose to introduce you to the history, theories, major findings and central problems of this discipline. It also seeks to create the proper pedagogic environment for the unfolding of a quality of mind that would allow you to better understand the complex relationship between yourself and the world around you. Modern Sociology was born in the 19 th century as a way to make sense of the major transformative crises that affected Europe and the United States at the time. Therefore, the first part of the course (Part I: The Classical tradition) explores the life and major theoretical contributions of great thinkers who contributed to the founding and development of modern sociology. We will study the ideas of Comte, Martineau, Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Du Bois, and others who have built sociology s foundation. Each one of them provides us with an interpretation of the world we now know as 'modern capitalism'. They explain how this social system emerged from earlier forms and how they envision its future expansion and demise. The second part of this course (Part II: Contemporary Problems) examines the legacy of these writers for current sociology and for the understanding of contemporary society. We will address such fundamental issues as Class and Inequality, Social Deviance and Crime, Gender and Sexuality, Racism and Discrimination, as well as Social Movements and Social Change. Hopefully, the substance of this course and the manner it is taught will inspire you to further examine your own life and the workings of the surrounding society by means of perspectives and insights gained from this introductory course. INVITATION: We invite you to embark on a sociologically challenging path in search of a greater understanding of our world, our personal relationships to others, and our conceptions of self. The journey ahead of us will be full of surprises, a few controversies, and some discomforts. At times, it may not feel like an easy path, but I believe it to be a very exiting and worthwhile endeavor.

2 Throughout the course, while we survey a broad range of theories and topics, we will examine our own assumptions and views about reality and we will learn how to develop a quality of mind, critical thinking tools, known as the sociological imagination that promises that we will gain a greater understanding of the powerful links that tie our own individual experiences to the social contexts in which they occur. Developing such sociological perspective may help us to move beyond our "common sense" knowledge of the social world. We will learn how to understand the views and opinions of others whose experiences are different from our own and recognize that a diversity of equally valid and useful perspectives on reality exists. It is my hope that all of us will gain a greater understanding of the sociological perspective, develop critical thinking and apply multicultural skills. The manner in which we explore, discuss and analyze this controversial topic should create a pedagogic environment that fosters diversity, team work, and encourages more profound thinking on our own social and personal values. CLASS FORMAT: The main format of this class will be that of lectures, group conversations and dialogues. Therefore, the primary responsibility for exploring the course issues lies with you, the student. Even though I will lecture in order to introduce each one of the topics, I will mostly serve as a facilitator or coordinator for group discussions. You will be expected to come prepared to class so that you could become an informed contributor to the discussion. We will expect that you will have done all the assigned readings for each week's session, in order that the discussions are as fruitful as possible. Our goal is to conduct an intensive analysis of the issues covered each week. In this course, we will read some texts, watch some films, and engage in conversations that may include challenges to our basic values and beliefs. At times, course materials and our discussions may make you feel uncomfortable. It is important to be willing to struggle with this material, and its implications, while also treating one another with respect and consideration. I look forward to an exciting and challenging semester. I hope that we find the format and content of this course intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding. REQUIRED READINGS Farganis, James, (2004). Readings in Social Theory. New York: McGraw-Hill. [This highly regarded anthology of primary readings in sociological theory covers the major theorist and schools from classic to contemporary to modernist and postmodernist in a chronological organization. While designed to be a supplementary reader, its comprehensive coverage and excellent introductions make this book appealing as a main text for professors who want to encourage their students to read and interpret original sources without a traditional main text.]. Coursepacks: There are two small coursepacks in this course. The first coursepack(cp1) includes readings on the sociological perspective, the basic writings of August Comte, one of the controversial founders of sociology, and a brief compilation of 19 th century Feminist writers. The second coursepack (CP2) incorporates readings on issues of inequality, gender, and deviance.

3 NOTE: The text is available at Shaman Drum bookstore and is also on reserve at the Undergraduate Library. The Coursepacks are available at Dollar Bill Copying, 611 Church St. Other readings will be available on-line at the course website. CP2 will be available later in the term. COURSE REQUIREMENTS and GRADING POLICY: 1. Class Attendance and participation: (50 points) Attendance will be taken, and your attendance record will be considered in determining the course grade. Half of these points will be based on attendance/participation in lecture, and half on attendance/participation in section. Class discussions are an important element in this course. What you learn from one another can be as valuable as the lecture and reading materials. I expect you to contribute to class discussions, sharing reflections on reading materials and exchanging ideas. Everyone is encouraged to actively participate. I do respect the difference between talker and thinker and the fact that some of you wish to learn from listening to others. However, I structure the class in a way that everyone has the opportunity to talk and to be heard. If you have concerns about participating in class discussions, please talk to me. 2. Keeping a Journal: (10 journal entries=100 points) Journal entries allow you an opportunity to reflect on the concepts, ideas, and theories discussed in this class and to make connections between the coursework and your own life. You will be expected to make ten 2-(typewritten) page entries in your journal, roughly one entry per week. For the most part, you have considerable freedom in how you choose to express yourself and the subject matter you choose to address, as long as it is relevant to this course. You may choose to discuss the way in which class lectures and discussions affected your values and beliefs as well as your academic interests. Journal entries are due a week after the topic was discussed in lecture. The last journal entry is your overall evaluation of the course, particularly the ways in which the lectures, discussions and readings have touched your life. It will due the last day of class. See dates below in Important Dates section of syllabus. 3. Article Reviews: (2 article reviews=100 points). You are expected to write and, in some cases, present in class at least two (2) article reviews (50 points each) for the course consisting of three typewritten pages each. In the first page, an article summary is presented, including a paragraph indicating the reason why the article you chose relates directly to the material presented and discussed in class. The second page includes direct, non-edited, quotes from the article that reflect the author s main arguments. A critique of the article is the goal of the last page. At the beginning of the term I will supply you with an extensive list of potential articles to choose from, as well as chapters from relevant books. You may select your articles from this list or choose your own. Please note the following: (a) article reviews have to be directly relevant to the course material, (b) you are expected to write an article review for different sections of the course. For example, writing two article reviews on prostitution is not allowed, and (c) the first article review has to be submitted before Oct. 20 th. And the last article, before Dec. 13 th.* 4. Section: (50 points). 10% of your overall grade will result from work assigned by your GSI. These assignments will be discussed in section. They may include such activities as media presentations, creative projects, or additional written work.

4 5. Exams: (200 points). We will have two (2) tests this term. There will be no final exam. Each test will be comprised of a few short answer and essay questions and will be worth a total of 100 points each. Both tests are take-home essay exams. Exam questions will be drawn directly from the material presented in lectures, class discussions, and the readings. Dates for these exams are noted on the schedule. 6. Final grades: Final grades will be based on the total number of points earned and calculated according to the following scale: A+ = A = A- = B+ = B = B- = C+ = C = C- = D+ = D = D- = SPECIAL DATES: (a) Journals: (b) Tests: JOURNAL DATE #1 9/20/2004 #2 9/27/2004 #3 10/4/2004 #4 10/11/2004 #5 11/1/2004 #6 11/8/2004 #7 11/15/2004 #8 11/22/2004 #9 12/6/2004 #10 12/14/2004 EXAM DATE Exam 1 Oct. 20 Exam 2 Dec. 13 *I understand that circumstances arise when people are not able to turn in assignments on time. Late assignments will be penalized and only partial credits will be given. I will deduct points depending upon the level of lateness. No assignments will be accepted one week after the due date. It is important for me to enforce rules on assignments for the sake of fairness. Please turn in assignments earlier if you know you won t be able to show up for the class on the due date.

5 SOC PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY: CLASSIC SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY Fall 2004 COURSE OUTLINE and READINGS Note: all the selected articles to read are found in the reader, James Farganis, Readings in Social Theory (ST), and the coursepacks (CP). INTRODUCTION: THE SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION Sept. 8: Course Objectives and Requirements C.W. Mills, The Promise of Sociology, in CP1, pp Peter L. Burger, Invitation to Sociology, in CP1, pp Sep 13-15: THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE Berger and Luckmann, The Social Construction of Reality, in CP1, pp Read any two of these four articles: o Joan P. Emerson, Behavior in Private Places, in CP1, pp o Bonnie Thornton Dill, Our Mothers Grief, in CP1, pp o Jonathan Ned Katz, The Invention of Heterosexuality, in CP1, pp o Michael S. Kimmel, Masculinity as Homophobia, in CP1, pp Part I: CLASICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY Sept : AUGUST COMTE: FOUNDING FATHER OR MAD PHILOSOPHER? Auguste Comte, View of the Nature an Importance of the Positive Philosophy, in CP1, pp Auguste Comte, Social Dynamics; or Theory of the Natural Progress of Humanity, in CP1, pp Sept. 27: HARRIET MARTINEAU: FIRST WOMAN SOCIOLOGIST Harriet Martineau, Society in America, in CP1. pp Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Women, in CP1, pp

6 Sep 30-Oct 6: KARL MARX: PROPHET, SCIENTIST, or REVOLUTIONARY? Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, The Manifesto of the Communist Party, in ST, pp Karl Marx, Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, in ST, pp Karl Marx and Frederick Engels The German Ideology, in ST, pp Karl Marx, The Fetishism of Commodities and the Secret Thereof, in ST, pp Oct : MAX WEBER: THE DISENCHANTMENT OF THE WORLD Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, in ST, pp Max Weber, Bureaucracy, in ST, pp Max Weber, Objectivity in Social Science and Social Policy, in ST, pp Max Weber, Class, Status, and Party, in ST, pp Oct 25-27: CLASSICAL FEMINIST SOCIOLOGY Read any eight of these sixteen articles: o The Changing Woman (Navajo Origin Myth) in CP1, pp.99. o Sarah Grimké, Letters on the Equality of the Sexes and the Condition of Women (1838), in CP1, pp o Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments from The History of Women s Suffrage (1848), in CP1, pp o Harriet Taylor, The Enfranchisement of Women (1851) in CP1, pp o Sojourner Truth, "Ain't I a Woman" (1851) in CP1, pp.117. o Sojourner Truth, Keep the Thing Going While Things Are Stirring" (1867) in CP1, pp o Josephine Butler, "Letter to my Countrywomen Dwelling in Farmsteads and Cottages of England" (1871) in CP1, pp o Susan B. Anthony, Speech after Arrest for Illegal Voting (1872) in CP, pp o Victoria Woodhull, The Elixir of Life (1873) in CP1, pp o Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Chapter VII and XIV from Women and Economics: A Study of the Economic Relation between Men and Women as a Factor in Social Evolution (1898) in CP1, pp o Mary Church Terrell, The Progress of Colored Women (1898) in CP1, pp o Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Lynching and the Excuse for It (1901) in CP1, pp o Emma Goldman, The Traffic in Women from Anarchism and Other Essays (1910) in CP1, pp o Mother (Mary) Jones, Girl Slaves of the Milwaukee Breweries (1910) in CP1, pp

7 o Alexandra Kollontai, Working Woman and Mother (1914) in CP1, pp o Crystal Eastman, Now We Begin from On Women and Revolution (1919) in CP1, pp Nov 1-3: EMILE DURKHEIM: SOCIETY MYTH or REALITY? Emile Durkheim, The Rules of Sociological Method, in ST, pp Emile Durkheim, Egoistic Suicide and Anomic Suicide, in ST, pp Emile Durkheim, The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, in ST, pp Emile Durkheim, Individualism and the Intellectuals, in ST, pp Nov. 15: GEORGE SIMMEL: DIALECTIC OF INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY Georg Simmel, The Metropolis and Mental Life, in ST, pp Georg Simmel, The Stranger, in ST, pp Nov. 17: W.E.B.DU BOIS: THE SOCIOLOGY OF RACE W.E.B. Du Bois, The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study, in ST, pp W.E.B. Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk, in ST, pp Part II: CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY AND PROBLEMS Nov. 17: FUNCTIONALISM Davis and Moore, Some Principles of Stratification, in ST.pp Read one of these two articles: o T. Parsons, Age and Sex in the Social Structure of the United States, in ST.pp o Robert Merton, Manifest and Latent Functions, in ST. pp Nov. 22: CONFLICT THEORY Ralf Dahrendorf, Social Structure, Group Interests, and Conflict Groups, in ST. pp C. Wright Mills, The Structure of Power in America, in ST.pp R.L. Zweigenhaft and G.W. Domhoff, The Ironies of Diversity, in ST. pp Nov : Dec. 1-6: Dec. 8: RACE, ETHNICITY and PRIVILEGE SEX, GENDER, and the BODY GLOBAL SOCIOLOGY and WORLD SYSTEMS

8 CONCLUSION