SOCIOLOGY 153
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (3 units)
Instructor: Prof. R.S. Palacio
Office Phone: 278-5146
Email: robert_palacio@csufresno.edu
Office: SS-225
Hours: MWF 10-11
T,Th 10-11
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
This course is a survey of classical and contemporary sociological theory. Major
sociological theories presented include functionalism, conflict, rationalism-utilitarianism,
and symbolic interactionism, as well as their origins in the thought of Marx, Weber,
Durkheim, Comte, Spencer, and others. We will address how these theorists interpreted
society and history, and what significance their ideas and theories have for our
understanding of society today.
Course Objectives:

To explore the contributions of major theorists in sociology and their legacy for
contemporary theory;

To understand the strengths and limitations of theories studied;

To acquire a sense of how social theory has developed and changed historically;

To develop an ability to evaluate and discuss theories critically through reading
and writing assignments.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
This course will combine lectures, readings, and class discussion. Part of the class
session will be devoted to an extensive discussion of the required readings.
The emphasis is on the development of analytical and critical abilities in a classroom
setting that encourages student participation. Student participation and the completion of
reading and writing assignments are crucial parts of the learning experience.
TEXTS
Required:
Garner, Roberta (ed.) Social Theory, Volume I: From the Beginnings to the 1960s,
Broadview Press.
Recommended:
Garner, Roberta (ed.) Social Theory, Volume II: Power & Identity in the Global
Era. Broadview Press.
ASSIGNMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS
1.
THREE (3) EXAMINATIONS: Exams are in-class and will consist of several
short essay questions and one long essay question. Questions will come from
readings and lecture/discussions. Exam forms will be provided for the short
questions; you will need to purchase a Blue Book to write your long essay. Each
exam is worth 50 points.
Exam Dates:
1st exam: October 1
2nd exam: November 7
3rd exam: During Finals Week
2.
TWO (2) PAPERS: You will write two papers, each focusing on a particular
sociological theorist you find interesting and would like to learn more.
The first paper will focus on someone we today consider to be a “classical
theorist;” the second paper will be on a more recent sociologist, although not
necessary living. This assignment requires that you read additional material
(primary sources) by the theorist and material (secondary sources) by others who
have written about a particular theorist.
Each paper will be a minimum of ten (10) pages long, double-space, and will be
worth 75 points. The paper will focus on the following:
a.
b.
c.
Brief Biographical Background and Social Context of Theorist’s Life
(secondary sources)
Major Ideas/Theories (primary and secondary sources)
Critical Assessment and Contemporary Significance of Major Ideas
(secondary sources, and students’ critique and analysis)
Paper Due Dates:
1st paper, October 17
2nd paper, December 5
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Papers must have a title page, page numbers, and placed in folder. Late papers
will be accepted, but will lose 5 points per day. Make sure you make a copy for
safekeeping.
GRADE POINTS
3 in-class exams, 50 points each
2 papers, 75 points each
Total
= 150 pts.
= 150
= 300 pts.
A = 300-270 B = 269-240 C = 239-210 D = 209-180 F = 179-0
EVALUATING WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
The criterion for evaluating papers and essays is as follows:
A grade:
This grade is given to a superior or outstanding paper. The paper/essay
addresses all aspects of the assignment; it is fully developed and very well
organized. It is distinguished by skill and sophistication in word choice,
sentence and paragraph structure, organized, development and
interpretation of ideas.
B grade:
This is a very good paper; it is a better than an adequate response to the
assignment. It is well organized and developed, but it is weaker than the
superior paper in some ways. Although it is well written, it may slight one
part of the assignment, it may have minor problems with development or
with organization and interpretation of evidence. It may have some minor
grammatical problems, or it may show less sophistication in word choice
or sentence structure.
C grade:
This is a good paper with an adequate or satisfactory response to the
assignment. The writing is clearly competent, but this paper is weaker
than the superior or the very good paper. It may omit a part of the
assignment; its insights may be general and superficial; it may be less
clearly organized; evidence is not fully developed or clearly interpreted; it
may have more than a few sentences marred by awkward or
ungrammatical construction, errors in punctuation and spelling, or
imprecise use of words.
D grade:
This is a minimally acceptable paper that barely meets the requirement of
the assignment. The writing is less than competent and usually shows
problems in several areas. The organization may be unclear; the
development weak; the evidence inadequately interpreted; ideas
inadequately supported; the paragraphs and sentences poorly structured, or
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use of words inaccurate. The writing also shows some problems with
grammar and mechanics. The writing is strong enough, however, to earn a
passing grade.
F grade:
A failing grade represents unacceptable work. The writing does not meet
the minimum requirements of the assignment; it has major deficiencies in
organization, development, interpretation of ideas and evidence, paragraph
development, sentence structure, word choice, grammar and mechanics.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week
Topics and Readings from Social Theory and handouts
1.
Introduction to Sociological Theory
2.
The Enlightenment and the Conservative Reaction
The Conservative Reaction, Irving M. Zeitlin
Reflections on the Revolution in France, Edmund Burke
3.
August Comte and Herbert Spencer
Reading handouts
4.
Karl Marx
The Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
The German Ideology, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
Capital, Karl Marx
5.
The Legacy and Contemporary Significance of Karl Marx
The Jobless Future, Stanley Aronowitz and William DiFazio
The Work of Art in an Age of Mechanical Reproduction, Walter
Benjamin
The Prison Notebooks, Antonio Gramsci
Prime Time Ideology, Todd Gitlin
Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses, Louis Althusser
6.
1st Exam: October 5
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7.
Emile Durkheim
The Rules of Sociological Method, Emile Durkheim
8.
The Legacy and Contemporary Significance of Emile Durkheim
Social Structure and Anomie, Robert Merton
9.
Max Weber
Essays in Sociology, Max Weber
10.
The Legacy and Contemporary Significance of Max Weber
Explaining Revolutions in the Contemporary Third World, Jeff
Goodwin and Theda Skocpol
The Work of Nations, Robert Reich
11.
12.
2nd Exam: November 7
Georg Simmel: Legacy and Contemporary Significance
The Miser and the Spendthrift, Georg Simmel
The Metropolis and Mental Life, Georg Simmel
The Lonely Crowd, David Riesman
13.
Charles Cooley and George Herbert Mead: Legacy and Contemporary
Significance (Symbolic Interaction and Other Micro-Perspectives)
Mind, Self, and Society, George H. Mead
The Gloried Self, Patricia Adler and Peter Adler
The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B. DuBois
The Souls of White Folk, W.E.B. DuBois
Outsiders, Howard Becker
14.
Talcott Parsons: Legacy and Contemporary Significance
Functional Imperatives, Talcott Parsons
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15.
Robert Merton: Legacy and Contemporary Significance
Reading handout
16.
3rd Exam: Finals Week
CLASS POLICIES
1.
University policy on cheating and plagiarism will be observed. For information
on the University’s policy on cheating and plagiarism, refer to the Schedule of
Courses or the University Catalog.
2.
Students with disabilities, upon identifying themselves to the instructor and the
university, will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation.
For more information, contact Services to Students with Disabilities in the
Madden Library 1049 (278-2811).
3.
University policy on incomplete grade will be observed (see the Catalog or the
Schedule of Courses for description of policy)
4.
Students are expected to stay with the reading and assignment schedule. If you
are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made
while you were away. Being absent does not excuse you from anything that was
discussed or due in class. Lecture notes are not disseminated. When you have a
serious and compelling medical condition or when a death or serious illness in the
immediate family that prevents attending class, you are responsible for contacting
Professor Palacio as soon as possible after the missed class. You are also
responsible for providing documentation of the reason for the absence upon
returning to class.
5.
Students are expected to take the examinations at the scheduled date and time;
you will have an opportunity to make up exams on the last day of instruction.
6.
All assignments must be turned in on time and in paper copy form. Electronic
transmission of papers will not be accepted. Late assignments will lose 5 points
per day.
7.
The classroom is a special environment in which students and faculty come together to promote learning and growth. Therefore, the goals of course will be met,
in large part, by giving respect and consideration to all. This means that sleeping,
informal talking, reading of outside material, receiving or making phone calls,
drinking, eating, gum popping, chewing tobacco, or engaging in any other kinds
of distracting activities will not be allowed.
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8.
If you have to leave class early, please let me know at the beginning of the class.
Please do not simply get up and leave.
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating
circumstances. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on
announcements made while you were absent.
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