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CLASSICAL SOCIAL THEORY SOCIOLOGY 3303 FALL 2011 INSTRUCTOR: Carol Cirulli Lanham, Ph.D. OFFICE: GR 2.

612 PHONE: 972-883-2867 OFFICE HOURS: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays Online office hours on eLearning or Google+ by appointment. EMAIL: cclanham@utdallas.edu CLASS TIME AND LOCATION: T TH 1:00 2:15 p.m. FO 2.702 COURSE PRE-REQUISITES, CO-REQUISITES AND/OR OTHER RESTRICTIONS: None COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course explores classic works of the founders of modern sociology and the important questions they asked in attempting to understand society. It also examines the historical and social conditions that led to the development of various sociological theories. In the first half of the semester, we will focus on writings by Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim. We will study their analyses of the rise of industrial society, the features of this society, and their predictions of the direction it would take. The second half of the semester begins with the writings of Georg Simmel and W.E.B. Du Bois and then introduces the concept of symbolic interactionism as outlined by George Herbert Mead. Although our focus will be on theories of the late 19th and early 20th century, we will take a decidedly 21st century approach to learning. We will use a variety of online tools to explore how these classical theories can help us in our critical thinking about everyday life. We also will explore how the classical theories apply to current events and contemporary issues that shape our social world. By the end of this course, you not only will be familiar with the ideas of the giants of sociology, but you will also see the world in an entirely different way. Learning Objectives By the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. Identify early classical sociological theorists and understand how their work led to the establishment of the discipline of sociology. 2. Summarize key concepts and principles used in the field of sociology. 3. Distinguish differences and describe parallels between the classical social theorists. 4. Use critical thinking skills to apply classical theory to current events and the world at large. 5. Analyze social theory effectively, both orally and in writing.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERALS:

Laura Desfor Edles and Scott Appelrouth. Sociological Theory in the Classical Era, 2nd edition, Pine Forge Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-4129-7564-3. This book is also available for rent. Additional readings will be on reserve at the library, and are marked with an (R) in the syllabus. CLASS FORMAT AND INSTRUCTORS EXPECTATIONS This course will consist of lectures, discussions, and a variety of assignments to be completed both inside and outside of class. Completion of assigned readings is a key requirement of this course. Since we will be studying the theorists original works, it is important to read and become familiar with the material before coming to class so that we can decipher and discuss key ideas and how they apply to contemporary issues. Be sure to bring your textbook to class. In order to facilitate your understanding of the readings, you also will be contributing to a class blog on eLearning. Youll find more details later this syllabus. Other class requirements include two 7-page research papers and two exams. The papers are designed to hone your critical thinking skills by requiring you to use the ideas of the classical theorists to analyze current social issues. Detailed instructions on the research papers will be posted on eLearning. The exams will consist of take-home essays. Since peer review will be an integral part of the writing process, you will be working with other students to complete various parts of the assignments. For this reason, class attendance is mandatory. YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TWO UNEXCUSED ABSENCES before your grade is affected. GRADING Attendance and class participation Reading blog Two exams worth 20% each Two research papers worth 20% each TOTAL Grading Scale A+ 97-100 A 94-96 A90-93 B+ 87-89 B 84-86 10% 10% 40% 40% 100%

BC+ C CD+

80-83 77-79 74-76 70-73 67-69

D DF

64-66 60-63 59 and below

CLASS BLOG The purpose of the class blog is to allow you to reflect on the assigned readings and prepare you for class discussions. You will be required to post an original entry to the blog on the average of ONCE A WEEK, and comment on at least two of your classmates postings each week. Your entries may take a wide range of forms: sections you found especially interesting, parts that you agreed with based on your personal experiences; conclusions that you disagree with along with an explanation of why; topics that you might be interested in exploring further in your research papers. Please limit your blog entries to 200 words. In order to receive full credit for the Reading Blog portion of your grade, you must post at least 12 out of the 16 weeks. RESEARCH PAPERS Each of you will be required to complete two 7-page research papers, and provide in-class peer review for two of your classmates papers. You will be applying classical sociological theories to a current event, social issue or contemporary film of your choice. For the first paper, you may choose among the theories of Marx, Durkheim or Weber. For the second paper, you will be using the theories of Simmel, DuBois, or Mead. The papers will consist of two sections. In the first half of the paper, you will review the major points of the theory that you are discussing. In the second half of the paper, you will be applying the theory to a contemporary issue, event or film. You may either show that the theory is still relevant or challenge the theorists ideas by showing how the social phenomena you are describing do not meet expectations. You may also take a combination of the two approaches. More detailed information on the research papers will follow. Keep in mind that the quality of your writing will be an important component of your grade, therefore you might want to allow time to visit the UTD Writing Center for assistance. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit http://www.utdallas.edu/GEMS/writing/index.html EXAMS Exams will consist of take-home essays, which will be distributed one week before they are due. The exams will cover both the assigned readings and topics discussed in the lecture. MAKE-UP EXAMS AND LATE ASSIGNMENTS The dates of exams and due dates for other assignments are listed on the class schedule. Make-up exams will only be given for legitimate reasons (for example, illness) and with proper written documentation. If you fail to take an exam or turn in an assignment without a reasonable excuse, you will receive a 0 for that portion of the course.

INCOMPLETE GRADE POLICY As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the semesters end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY The faculty expects a high level of responsibility and academic honesty from students. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work. SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY Any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to discipline. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts. Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the universitys policy on plagiarism. Your research papers will be checked on TURN IT IN. GENERAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The University of Texas at Dallas has developed a number of policies and procedures designed to provide students with a safe and supportive learning environment. For UT Dallas policy related to the following go to: http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies
Field Trip Policies Student Conduct & Discipline Email Use Withdrawal from Class Student Grievance Procedures Disability Services

Religious Holidays

CLASS SCHEDULE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS


(R) indicates items on library reserve.

Week 1 8/25 Week 2 8/30-9/1

Overview of the Course

What is Sociological Theory? Edles and Appelrouth (E&A): Chapter One The Sociological Imagination Mills (R) Introduction to Karl Marx E&A: pg. 17-30 Marx (continued) The Communist Manifesto E&A: pgs. 51-60 Introduction to Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts E&A: pgs. 41-42 The Power of Money in Bourgeois Society E & A: 48-51 Labor, Alienation Ritzer: pgs. 52-65 (R) Marx (continued) Capital E&A: 65-76 Working Longer, Living Less Kivisto: Chapter 1 (R) TOPICS DUE FOR FIRST PAPER ON 9/13 Durkheim Introduction to Durkheim E&A: 94-102 Division of Labor E&A: pgs. 103-108 Rules of Social Method E&A: pgs. 111-119 Durkheim (continued) Suicide E&A: pgs. 119-134 Surfing the Net for Community Kivisto: pgs. 94-106 (R)

Week 3 9/6-9/8

Week 4 9/13-9/15

Week 5 9/20-9/22

Week 6 9/27-9/29

Week 7 10/4-10/6

Weber Introduction to Weber E&A: pgs. 153-166 The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism E&A: pgs. 167-181 Weber (continued) Class, Status and Power E&A: pgs. 191-201 Domination E&A: pgs. 201-210 Bureaucracy E&A: pgs. 210-219 FIRST PAPER DUE 10/11 TAKE-HOME ESSAYS DISTRIBUTED ON 10/11 Class Presentations TAKE HOME ESSAYS DUE ON 10/18 Class Presentations (continued) Introduction to Simmel E&A: pgs. 267-278

Week 8 10/11-10/13

Week 9 10/18-10/20 Week 10 10/25-10/27

Week 11 11/1-11/3

Class Presentations (continued) Simmel Exchange E&A: 279-282 Conflict E&A: 288-293 Fashion E&A: 305-313 The Metropolis and Mental Life E&A 316-323 TOPICS DUE FOR SECOND PAPER ON 11/1

Week 12 11/8-11/10

Simmel (continued) Alcohol related Windows on Simmels World Kivisto, Chapter 4 (R) DuBois E&A: pgs. 325-338 Dubois (continued) The Philadelphia Negro E&A: pgs. 338-345 The Soul of Black Folks E&A: pgs. 346-355; 358-364

Week 13 11/15-17

Week 14 11/22-11-24

Mead Introduction to Mead E&A: 371-380 NO CLASS ON 11/24 HAPPY THANKSGIVING Mead (continued) Symbolic Interactionism Wallace & Wolf: pgs. 207-213 (R) The Ideas of George Herbert Mead Ritzer: pgs. 351-369 SECOND PAPER DUE 11/29 TAKE-HOME ESSAYS DISTRIBUTED ON 11/29 TAKE-HOME ESSAYS DUE ON 12/6

Week 15 11/29-12/1

Week 16 12/6

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