Sociological Theory (4053)
Spring 2016
Instructor: Dr. Neema Noori
Class Time and Place: Mondays and Wednesdays 8:00 – 9:20am, (Pafford 110)
Office: Pafford Hall 209 A
Email address: nnoori@westga.edu
Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 2-5pm; Tuesdays from 4-5:30pm
Office phone: 678-839-6329
I. Course Description
Sociology 4053 is designed as an introductory survey of social theory. Though the bulk of the
class will focus on classical theory, we will also review important trends in contemporary theory.
The course will examine how social theorists, both classical and contemporary, have addressed
the most enduring and central questions of our field such as, what generates social solidarity?
How is culture developed, shared and transformed? Is our social reality a given, or is it
constructed? Are ideas or material conditions the fundamental agents in historical change? What
is power and how is it expressed? What is the relationship between “individuals” and “society”?
We will evaluate the extent to which contemporary and classical sociological theorists draw on
the works of other theorists. And, importantly, will also devote attention to understanding the
historical context within which these theorists engaged in writing and researching about society.
Finally, in addition to our discussion of theory, we will read and discuss several examples of
contemporary research that are informed by theory.
II. Learning Outcomes
LO2: Demonstrate an understanding of sociological theories.
III. Course Requirements
Exams
There will be two exams throughout the semester. Exams will cover readings, lecture material,
and classroom discussion. Each exam will account for 25% of your overall grade. Note: Makeup exams will only be given in the case of a verifiable emergency.
Quizzes
As both a motivation for you and a method to allow me to check your weekly progress, we will have
four pop quizzes during the semester. They will be simple, two-question quizzes that will be easy to
answer, provided you have completed the day’s reading. I know it can be difficult to keep up with the
readings at all times, so I will drop the lowest quiz grade. Twenty percent of your grade will be
based on these quizzes.
Theory Essay
You are required to write a 5-7 page essay in response to a question assigned in advance. The essay
will be assigned on November 12th and is due on December 3rd.
Overall Class Evaluation
Participation
Exams (2)
Quizzes (4)
Theory Essay
TOTAL
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=
=
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10
50
20
20
100 (Points)
Academic Alert: Each student is responsible for reading and understanding the Academic
Integrity Policy for the Department of Sociology and Criminology.
See: www.westga.edu/~soccrim/AcademicIntegrityPolicy.html
IV. Dates:
Exam 1: February 17
Exam 2: April 4
Theory Essay Assigned: April 11
Theory Essay Due: April 20
V. Class Policies
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Please do not attempt to carry on conversations with other students during class. Even
whispering creates a distracting buzz. Please turn off your cell phones. You are not
permitted to text or otherwise use a smart phone during class.
In class you are expected to behave as a serious adult and scholar. You are expected to
take notes and address the class when you are recognized by the instructor. Class time is
not the time for reading the assigned material and it will not be allowed. No laptops, cell
phones, tablets, and other electronic devices are allowed to be used. Anyone spotted
using these devices will be asked to leave the class and if there is a quiz that day the
grade will be a zero. You must write your class notes by hand. Turn them off and put
them away. Eating is not permitted in the class.
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You are expected to arrive on time and to stay for the entire class. If you leave the
classroom at any other time before the end of class, take all your belongings with you
because you will not be allowed to re-enter the class.
Recognize if and when you are having difficulty with the course material and/or the
topics and meet with me for assistance before it is too late.
As discrepancies with regard to grades can occur, it is recommended that students retain
all graded materials until such time as final grades have been sent out.
Assignments must be submitted no later than the beginning of the class scheduled on the
due date. Late work will be penalized at 10% of the total value for each day late,
beginning immediately during the class on the due date. No work will be accepted after
the last scheduled class of the semester. The instructor is not responsible for lost papers.
If you are unable to turn in the assignment personally, please your own arrangements to
have the paper submitted on your behalf. Students are strongly encouraged to keep a copy
of each assignment until final grades are recorded. Any exceptions must be approved well
in advance of the due date with the instructor.
No coursework will be accepted after the final exam.
Your conduct should be in accordance with principles of academic integrity and honesty.
No forms of cheating, plagiarism or classroom disruption will be tolerated. Cheating and
plagiarism will result in failing grades for the semester. I recommend that you familiarize
yourself with the Sociology Department Policy on Academic Integrity:
http://www.westga.edu/sociology/index_4657.php. Permission for make-up
exams/quizzes will only be granted in unusual circumstances. To obtain permission, I
need to be notified via email in advance of the day of the exam/quiz. In the interest of
fairness, make-up exams/quizzes will be more challenging than the original.
It is your responsibility to notify me if you are not able to comply with the above
expectations because of impairment or other significant circumstances. Accommodations
will be made when appropriate. Such notification should not occur after a violation of
the above rules.
VI. Required Textbooks
Steven Seidman, Contested Knowledge: Social Theory Today
All Readings marked with a double asterisk (**) are available online via CourseDen
VII. Schedule of Lectures, Discussions, Films/Slides and Readings
Introduction to Classical Theory
January 11
Introduction to Class
January 13
Seidman: Introduction and Chapter 2
January 18
Martin Luther King Day (No Class)
January 20
**Kivisto: Chapter 3 (Marx)
January 25
Film
January 27
Seidman: Chapter 3 (Durkheim)
February 1
**Kivisto: Chapter 6 (On Mechanical Solidarity) and Chapter 7
(On What is a Social Fact)
February 3
**Kivisto: Chapter 8 (Anomic Suicide)
February 8
Seidman: Chapter 4 (Weber)
February 10
**Kivisto: Chapter 12 (The Spirit of Capitalism)
February 15
**Kivisto: Chapter 13 (Bureaucracy)
February 17
Exam 1
February 22
**Kinsley Davis and Wilbert Moore. "Some Principles of
Stratification"
February 29
Seidman: Chapter 7 (Mills)
March 2
**Kivisto: Chapter 40 (Blumer)
March 7
**Kivisto: Chapter 41 (Goffman)
March 9
**Kivisto: Chapter 45 (Homans)
March 14 – March 19
Spring Break
March 21
**Kivisto: Chapter 47 (Coleman)
March 23
Seidman: Chapter 10 (Giddens and Bourdieu)
March 28
Seidman: Chapter 12 (Michel Foucault’s Disciplinary Society)
March 30
Sociology is a Martial Art (Documentary of Bourdieu)
April 4
Exam 2
April 6
Seidman: Chapter 14 (Feminist Theory)
April 11
Seidman: Chapter 15 (Critical Race Theory)
Theory Paper Assigned
April 13
Seidman: Chapter 17 (Colonial Discourse)
April 18
Seidman: Chapter 19 (Global Capitalism)
April 20
Review
Theory Paper Due