DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIOLOGICAL THOUGHT
SYA 4110, Spring 2016
Tues—10:40-11:30
Thurs—10:40-12:35
Turlington 2349
Instructor:
Office hours:
Justin Hendricks, M.A.
justinhendricks@ufl.edu
Turlington 3323—shoot me an
email, I’m happy to talk anytime.
Introduction
“We learn nothing from those who say: ‘Do as I do’. Our only teachers are those
who tell us to ‘do with me’, and are able to emit signs to be developed in heterogeneity
rather than propose gestures for us to reproduce” (Deleuze, 1968/1994, p. 23)
I approach a course with the idea that learning occurs through us struggling
together with the text, articles, videos, and each other throughout the semester. The
class members come from a wide variety of backgrounds and all have something
different to produce. Classes, then, must be highly collaborative if we are going to
create and share new ideas. As a result, I focus my teaching on discussions, interactions,
and applications, which require a higher degree of participation, but can result in a
more engaged/thoughtful course.
Over the course of the semester we will critically examine some of the major
theoretical orientations in classical and contemporary sociological thought. We will
explore the ways these ideas have changed in relation to the transformations taking
place in the western world throughout the course of modernity. The focus will be on the
connections between the underlying assumptions of key theorists and their conclusions
about social life. The major questions to be addressed as a part of the course are: To
what extent do these perspectives offer insight into ongoing social issues? How have
the foundations of each of these views changed over time? What are some of the
strengths and weaknesses in each of these positions? How do these theories inform our
understanding of contemporary society?
Learning goals
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
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• Identify and explain many of the central concepts and arguments in classical social
theory and the social, political, and historical context that led to their appearance.
• Explain at least one theorist in great detail, even if you cannot explain or understand
everything.
• Determine the assumptions that different theorists use to construct their ideas and
theories.
• Understand how inequality has been theorized in different ways and how approaches
to inequality differ depending on theoretical approaches.
• Relate theory to every-day events.
• Explain and defend a theoretical perspective or theorist in writing.
Required Readings
Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/11/11h/11-h.htm you can also find numerous other free ebook versions online)
George Ritzer, Sociological Theory (Eighth edition), McGraw-Hill.
There is also a series of required readings available on Canvas.
Additional books/readings may be required depending on which theorist you choose.
Course Design
Three Phases
The course proceeds in three phases. The first is a fast-paced, broad overview of
the major developments in sociological theory over the past 200 years and 800 pages.
The second engages in some of the primary texts of these theorists and movements. The
third phase overlaps with the second and introduces a personal/group study of one
specific theorist. Each phase ends with an assessment.
Phase 1—Overview
For the first eight weeks we will survey many of the theorists and perspectives in
sociological theory, discuss their concepts, and create a base on which to build an
understanding of their theorizing (we will move very quickly). This phase focuses
mainly on secondary texts, memorization, in-class writing assignments, concept maps,
wikis, and quizzes to help you build a base for the remainder of the course. This phase
is capped with a multiple choice exam. As we move through this section we will use
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our readings, concept maps, and work as groups to build wiki pages that will function
as a study guide.
Quizzes—5 pts.
Concept Maps/In-Class Writing—2 pts.
Wiki page—15 pts.
Wiki review—5 pts.
Reading Notes—2 pts.
Multiple Choice Exam—100pts.
Section 2—Primary Texts
During the final six weeks we will increase our knowledge by engaging with
primary texts. We will no longer have quizzes, but in-class writing activities increase in
value. Groups will become more specifically focused on one theorist. Readings during
this phase are shorter—but more difficult—and the amount of weekly writing doubles.
Concept Maps/In-Class writing—5 pts.
Reading Responses—2 pts.
Group Reading Response—2 pts.
Essay Exam—100pts.
Section 3—Applying your understanding
The final five weeks will be spent reading a social theorist of your choosing and
writing a paper using the theorist as a tool for analyzing and explaining a social issue.
This is an intensive reading and writing period, which requires a large amount of selfdirected work. Each week a new section of the paper will be due. You should go into
this phase knowing what you want to do with the theorist you are reading. The
discussion sections will shift to writing sections during this period as we focus on the
mechanics of writing, citations, outlining, etc.
Thesis—10pts.
Outline—20pts.
1st Submission—20pts.
Final Submission—100pts
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Weekly Schedule
Lecture Section
First Phase
Monday—Reading Response Due (submit online, bring hardcopy or digital copy
to class)
Tuesday—Class discussion of reading
Thursday—First portion, concept mapping in small groups. Second portion, class
activity and in-class writing.
Second/Third Phase
Same, but Thursday introduces a group reading discussion
Writing/discussion section
First Phase
Weekly quiz
Second Phase/Third Phase
Paper and Writing Skills Overview
One-on-one writing reviews, outlines, drafts, paper sections due
Discussion/Writing Sections
Every student is required to attend and participate in the discussion/writing section.
These sections allow for the application of your reading and discussion for the week.
Each period you will take a quiz, discuss the quiz, and discuss what you have learned
about and written that week.
Section 4270 (Thurs, Turl. 2346, Period 6—12:50 - 1:40) – Justin Hendricks,
justinhendricks@ufl.edu
Section 09C0 (Thurs, Turl. 2349, Period 7—1:55 - 2:4 5) – Jared Kingsbury,
jwkingsbury@ufl.edu
Attendance
I do not typically take attendance. Typically attendance is not an issue
considering that lectures and discussions take up most of our class time, are not
accessible anywhere but in class, and exams questions are pulled directly from
the lectures as well as course materials. However, if attendance becomes an issue
reserve the right to take attendance and/or publicly shame absentees—within
reason. If it becomes apparent that additional motivation is needed attendance
will be taken daily with one point awarded for each day present. These points
will then be calculated into the final grade.
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Class Participation
In a class of this nature, it is crucial for students to speak out in order to develop
their own ideas and criticisms about the material. It is for this reason that
everyone must participate in the classroom discussions as well as those of the
discussion section. To better engage the class and encourage application of the
theories we discuss each student should bring in some outside example of the
theory. This might include a news article, an example from a movie or television
show, or the like. These will be discussed each Tuesday in class.
Course Assignments
Bonus Online Discussions
Occasionally I will post a discussion on canvas as a way for us to continue our
discussion out of the classroom. This also allows everyone a chance to participate.
For each discussion you may score up to 3 points by leaving 3 comments on the
discussion for the week. These points will be used to supplement missed points
on weekly responses. For each, you should respond to the initial prompt and
comment twice on your classmate’s comments.
Reading Notes
In order to reflect upon the weekly readings and discussions you should prepare
500 words of notes, including 3-4 questions due Monday night at or before
11:59pm—Canvas will not accept anything after 11:59 so please be sure to
submit this well in advance of the deadline! In your notes please give a brief
summary of the reading and spend a majority of time making connections to the
reading either through personal experiences or current events. What connections
did you make with external events? How does the theory this week connect with
ideas from previous weeks? How do these ideas help us to think in different or
new ways? Your questions should reflect your struggles with the ideas or
concepts, critiques you have, or things you would like to discuss further. It is
generally a good idea to write a bit more than one page so as to secure all of your
points. Responses that are on-time and meet the criteria receive 2 points,
responses that do not fulfill the criteria receive 1 point, and late or missing
responses receive 0 points.
Quizzes
Each Thursday discussion section will begin with a quiz. The quizzes will focus on the
readings and should be simple if you have read the material and attended the lecture
section. Normally they will consist of five questions for one point each, making each
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quiz worth 5 points. As we transition into the second section of the course quizzes will
become open-ended answer questions and short essays to reflect the changes in the
readings and the focus of the course. Your two lowest quiz scores will be dropped.
There is no other way to make up quiz points. You must be present in class during to
take a quiz.
Group Activities
Over the course of the semester you will work with multiple groups during the lecture
section. We will use small groups to facilitate greater engagement with the material and
better discussion with one another. Additionally, during the second half of the semester
you will choose a theorist to focus on extensively and read their work in-depth. You
will do this along with others in the class and form a reading group. Groups intimately
acquainted with one theorist or theoretical tradition. This assignment is entirely driven
by your group. You will choose the theorist/tradition, the readings, and set up your
reading schedule. To prepare for you discussion you will submit a 500 word response
with 3-4 questions to Canvas at or before 11:59pm each Wednesday. You will choose
your theorist halfway through the semester and I will suggest readings. Each Thursday
you will meet with your group for the first period to discuss what you read for the
week. This part of the course is not meant to be easy! You should STRUGGLE with the
material. Some examples of theorists or traditions:
Theorists
Karl Marx
Max Weber
Emile Durkheim
Gabriel Tarde
W.E.B. DuBois
Talcott Parsons
Michel Foucault
Judith Butler
Gilles Deleuze
bell hooks
Traditions
Conflict—Marx, Weber, Mills
(Structural) Functionalism—Comte,
Spencer, Parsons, Merton, Durkheim
Critical theory—Horkheimer, Adorno,
Marcuse
Symbolic interaction—Goffman, Cooley,
Garfinkle
Critical Race Theory—Crenshaw,
Delgado, etc.
New Materialism—Karen Barad, Rosie
Braidotti & co.
Final Paper
Your group reading experience will end with you writing an 8-10 page paper
reviewing, explaining, applying, and critiquing your chosen theorist/tradition. I
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highly suggest working closely with your group and with me to write this paper.
Of all the assignments for the course this is the most difficult. Please do not take
this assignment lightly or begin preparing the night or even week before. You
should be preparing your paper well in advance (at least two months) of the
deadline. To help facilitate this there are various assignments due throughout the
semester. The final paper will be due April 23, 2016 by 11:59pm. Late submissions
are not accepted so please plan ahead. It is better to turn in an incomplete paper.
This assignment will be discussed more in class and the rubric posted on Canvas.
Exams
There are two exams for the semester one given at midterm and the other on the
last day of class. We will construct the study guide together for the first exam. For
the second exam you will be given a set of questions in advance and you will will
have one period (approx. 50 minutes) to answer two questions. To do well
students should prepare answers for each potential question, discuss the
questions with classmates in and out of class. All students are required without
exception to take the exams during the scheduled times listed in the syllabus.
Make-up exams are offered only in the case of a medical emergency with a
doctor’s note or for university excused absences.
Grade Breakdown
Reading Responses/notes—15%
Quizzes – 15%
Concept maps and In-class Writing – 10%
Wikis—5%
Paper – 30%
Exams – 25%
Total—100%
For each assignment category points are capped at 100%. In other words, you
cannot receive more points than a category is worth and these points do not
transfer to other categories.
Final grade is a percentage of total points weighted by category. Letter grade
assignments are determined by the instructor, not the University. Please review
the grade intervals, which are as follows:
A = 100-95.00%
B+ = 90.99-88.00%
A- = 94.99-91.00%
B = 87.99-85.00%
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B- = 84.99-82.00%
C+ = 81.99-79.00%
C = 78.99-76.00%
C- = 75.99-73.00%
D+ = 72.99-70.00%
D = 69.99-67.00%
D- = 66.99-64.00%
E = 63.99% or lower
For the course to count toward your sociology major you must have a “C” or better! If
you are receiving less than this or are worried about not receiving a “C” or better please
come and talk with me immediately!!!!
COURSE SCHEDULE
Course schedule is subject to change
(C)- In Canvas, select “Files” from the left side menu, open the “readings” file.
Week 1 (1/5 – 1/7)
Introduction to the Course and Defining Sociological Theory
Read: Syllabus
Read: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Week 2 (1/12 – 1/14)
Setting the Stage—Positivism, sociology, and the big three
Read: Ritzer, Ch. 1-4—“A Historical Sketch of Sociological Theory: The
Early Years” “Karl Marx” “Emile Durkheim” “Max Weber”
Week 3 (1/19 – 1/21)
Lost and Found—The forgotten in classical sociological theory
Research: Harriet Martineau
Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Anna Julia Cooper
Jane Addams
Gabriel Tarde
W.E.B. DuBois
Read: Ritzer, Ch. 5—“Georg Simmel”
Week 4 (1/26 – 1/28)
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More White Men—Sociological theory in the 20th century
Read: Ritzer, Ch. 6, 7, 9—“A Historical Sketch of Sociological Theory: The
Later Years” “Structural Functionalism, Neofunctionalism, and
Conflict Theory” “Systems Theory”
Week 5 (2/2 – 2/4)
Integrating the individual
Read: Ritzer, Ch. 10-12—“Symbolic Interactionism” “Ethnomethodology”
“Exchange, Network, and Rational Choice Theories”
Week 6 (2/9 – 2/11)
Rounding it out: Sociology in the “contemporary” times
Read: Ritzer, Ch. 13-14—“Contemporary Feminist Theory” “Micro-Macro
and Agency-Structure Integration”
Week 7 (2/16 – 2/18)
Where are we now
Read: Ritzer, Ch. 17-18—“Structuralism, Poststructuralism, and
Postmodern Social Theory” “Cutting-Edge Developments in
Contemporary Theory”
Week 8 (2/23—2/25)
REVIEW—Tuesday, February 23
EXAM 1—Thursday, February 25
Week 9 (3/1—3/3)
SPRING BREAK!
PLEASE BE SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE.
Week 10 (3/8—3/10)
Existentialism, critical theory, and sociology’s identity crisis
(C) Our own time – Sophie’s World
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(C) Talcott Parsons - "The Place of Sociological Theory" in The Social
System
(C) C. Wright Mills Week 11 (3/15—3/17)
FOUCAULT—The new starting point of sociological theory?
(C) Kant—What is Enlightenment?
(C) Foucault—What is Enlightenment?
(C) Todd May—The Philosophy of Foucault—Chapter One, Introduction:
Who are we?
(C) Foucault—Discipline and Punish
Week 12 (3/22-3/24)
Race, Ethnicity, and Post-Colonialism: Reconsidering difference
(C) W.E.B. DuBois—Of the Souls of Black Folk
(C) West—The New Cultural Politics of Difference
(C) Spivak—Can the Subaltern Speak?
(C) Applerouth & Edles—“Edward Said,” pp. 455-478.
Week 13 (3/29-3/31)
Considering gender…but can we?
(C) Charlotte Perkins Gilman – Preface and Chapter I, Women and
Economics
(C) Simone de Beauvoir—The Second Sex
(C) Crenshaw—Mapping the Margins
(C) Patricia Hill-Collins—Black Feminist Thought
(C) Butler—Gender Trouble, ch. 1
Week 14 (4/5-4/7)
The Cutting Edge/Can we know anything?
(C) Barad—Meeting the Universe Halfway
(C) Latour—“Introduction,” Reassembling the Social
(C) Haraway--?
(C) Deleuze—Postscript on Control Societies
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Week 15 (4/12—4/14)
Revisiting the Trinity: Marx, Durkheim, and Weber
(C) Karl Marx – Preface and "Opposition of The Materialist and Idealist
Outlook" The German Ideology
(C) Emile Durkheim – Preface I and II – The Rules of Sociological Method
(pp. 31-47)*
(C) Max Weber – "Science as a Vocation"
Week 16 (4/19)
April 19: FINAL EXAM—Comprehensive Essay Examination; Answer 2 of 6
questions in 50 minutes.
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University of Florida Academic Honesty Guidelines
All students are required to abide by the Academic Honesty Guidelines,
which have been established by the University.
(l) Each student is required to subscribe to the Guidelines upon registration
each semester by signing the following pledge contained on the "Course Request
Registration Form":
I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in
all of their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic
honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may
result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the University.
A copy of this form can be obtained at the Office of the Registrar.
(2) The conduct set forth hereinafter constitutes a violation of the Academic
Honesty Guidelines. Those adjudged to have committed such conduct shall be
subject to the sanctions provided in 6Cl-4.0l6.
(a) Cheating -- the improper taking or tendering of any information or
material which shall be used to determine academic credit. Taking of information
includes, but is not limited to, copying graded homework assignments from
another student; working together with another individual(s) on a take-home test
or homework when not specifically permitted by the teacher; looking or
attempting to look at another student's paper during an examination; looking or
attempting to look at text or notes during an examination when not permitted.
Tendering of information includes, but is not limited to, giving your work to
another student to be used or copied; giving someone answers to exam questions
either when the exam is being given or after having taken an exam; giving or
selling a term paper or other written materials to another student; sharing
information on a graded assignment.
(b) Plagiarism -- The attempt to represent the work of another as the product
of one's own thought, whether the other's work is published or unpublished, or
simply the work of a fellow student. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to,
quoting oral or written materials without citation on an exam, term paper,
homework, or other written materials or oral presentations for an academic
requirement; submitting a paper which was purchased from a term paper service
as your own work; submitting anyone else's paper as your own work.
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University of Florida Policy Regarding Students With Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Office coordinates the
accessibility of all areas of campus to persons with disabilities. Students
requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of
Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will then provide documentation to
the student who must provide this documentation to the professor when
requesting accommodation.
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