Sociology 5301: The Development of Social Theory

Description
    This graduate seminar will introduce basic themes in the development of sociological/social theory. We will concentrate on the divergence between Comte, Durkheim and Weber's conception of the theoretical project and Marx's conception of that project. These debates will be situated in European industrial capitalism of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We will read closely in Durkheim, Weber and Marx. We will also relate these original theoretical writings to post-WWII developments in theory and empirical sociology.

Coursework and Grades
    Students will write a term paper, in the neighborhood of 20-30 pages, double-spaced. The paper is due on the last class day, May 6th. Topic should bear directly on material covered in the course. Grade received on the paper constitutes the final course grade. Students are urged to attend all classes or to obtain notes from fellow students, if necessary.

Readings (Available at campus bookstore).
    Charles Lemert, ed., Social Theory, 2nd ed, paperback
    Emile Durkheim, Rules of Sociological Method, paperback
    Max Weber, From Max Weber: Essays in Sociology, paperback
    Karl Marx, Early Writings, paperback
    Karl Marx, Capital, paperback
    Recommended: Ben Agger, Critical Social Theories, paperback

Lectures and Themes, by Week
    1/21--Sociology as an Enlightenment project
    1/28--Comte and the rise of sociology (Lemert, "Modernity's Classical Age")
    2/4--The role of theory in the sociological division of labor (Lemert, "Modernity's Classical Age")
    2/11--Durkheim's notions of social facts and anomie (Durkheim, Chs. 1,2)
    2/1 8--Weber's notions of rationalization and value-freedom (Weber, Chs. 4,5,8)
    2/25--The Americanization of Durkheim and Weber: Parsons' 1937 Structure of Social Action (Weber, Chs. 1,2,3 Gerth & Mills' intro)
    3/4--Marx and the Enlightenment project (Agger, Ch. 4)
    3/11--The concept of ideology and the critique of ideology (Agger, Ch. 4)
    3/25--Marx's early philosophical humanism (Marx, Early Writings, "Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts")
    4/2--Capital and the concept of commodity fetishism (Marx, Capital, Chs. 1,2,3)
    4/9--American sociological theory from 1937 to 1970: The roles of Parsons and Merton (Lemert, "The Golden
    4/1 6--Gouldner's Coming Crisis and the emergence of reflexive sociology (...Moment," "Will the Center Hold?")
    4/23--American sociological theory from 1970 to 1998: Midwestern empiricism and resistance to theory (Agger, Ch 7,8)
    4/30--The exodus of 'theory' to English, Comparative Literature, History, Philosophy, Anthropology (Agger, Chs. 2,3,5,6)
    5/6--summary and discussion (papers due)