Sociological Theory Office Hrs

SOCI 4306 Office: DERR 105D Sociological Theory Office hrs: DERR 229 - 2-3:20m MW 9:30-10:45 MW & by appt. Dr. Anderson email [email protected] Spring 2010

Syllabus

Course Description This course introduces students to classical sociological theories and the modern and contemporary theories that follow from them. The major approaches we will cover are functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interaction. We will also study feminist, postmodern, and Globalization theory. This course will challenge students to understand the sociological theories above, not merely memorize fact about them.

Course Goal To be able to apply theoretical ideas and concepts is sociology to everyday life. Be able to think critically about relationships between and among theoretical concepts and theorists. Students will be able to do this by: 1. Reading assigned materials 2. Participating in class discussions and exercises 3. Doing in-class and out –of-class exercises 4. Mapping sociological concepts

Text Required- Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots. 3rdd ed. by George Ritzer. McGraw Hill.

Blackwell Dictionary of Sociology, 2nd Edition by Allan Johnson

Exams and Course Grade During the semester there will be 3 section exams during the semester. All will be short answer and essay. There will be in-class small group discussion time to review for exams.

In-class/out-of-class exercises. There will be a number of exercises (20pts.) during the semester. The exercises are designed to encourage student to think critically about sociological concepts and ideas. Further information will be given out in class

Cognitive maps. A cognitive map is a “mental picture” of a set of concepts that illustrates how concepts relate to each other. We will practice mapping in class before the first map is due. Reflection Paper. The reflection paper will demonstrate your ability to apply sociological concepts to your society and your life. Three concepts from each of the three approaches will be part of this assignment (nine concepts in all).

3 section exams 300 points Exercises 100 points 2 maps 200 points 1 reflection paper 100 points Total 700 points

630 -- 700 = A 560 -- 629 = B 490 -- 559 = C 420 -- 489 = D below 420 = F

Make-up Exams If you miss an exam you will take a make-up at the time of the final. If you miss more than one exam you are advised to consider dropping the course. Only one missed exam may be made up.

Absences Class attendance is an important part of the intellectual experience of college. It is the responsibility of the student to report any condition that will seriously impair class or exam attendance, such as University sponsored out-of-town trips, or a hospital stay, as soon as possible.

Academic Dishonesty The phrase, academic dishonesty, includes a variety of transgressions. It refers to acts such as cheating on a test to committing plagiarism when writing a paper. The Sociology Department assumes that it is the responsibility of each student to know what constitutes academic dishonesty. A lack of understanding of the phrase is no excuse when academic dishonesty is at issue. Similarly, a student may not be excused from a current transgression because he/she committed a similar act in the past and was not charged with a violation of university policy. Any student who is accused with academic dishonesty has the right to challenge the accusation, but the challenge must be submitted in writing and in accordance with university policy. University statements regarding academic dishonest can be found at the following websites:

http://www.mrp.txstate.edu:16080/studenthandbook/rules.html#academic (Texas State Handbook)

http://www.txstate.edu/effective/upps/upps-07-10-01.html (Academic Honesty, UPPS No. 07.10.01) A complete statement on the policy of the Department of Sociology regarding academic dishonesty (including plagiarism) is available on the departmental website www.soci.txstate.edu Remember: Ignorance of what constitutes academic dishonesty or having participated in academic dishonesty in the past without being penalized does not excuse such acts in the Department of Sociology.

Students with Special Needs Students with special needs as documented by the Office of Disability Services should identify themselves at the beginning of the term. The Department of Sociology is dedicated to providing these students with necessary academic adjustments and auxiliary aids to facilitate their participation and performance in the classroom.

Extra Credit There is no extra credit in the course.

Course Rules Please turn off cell phones and pagers during class.

The Department of Sociology reserves the right to limit or deny the use of any and all electronic devices in the classroom.

Please do not get up and leave during class unless you are ill or have spoken to me prior to that class.

Assignments are to be turned in at the beginning of class on the due date . For each day late, there is a letter grade penalty. No late assignments will be accepted after papers are returned to the class. General Outline of Course

Section One

Introduction to Sociological Thought Ritzer Ch. 1

Classical Theorist Ritzer Ch. 2

Emile Durkheim

Karl Marx

Exam I—Feb. 24th*

Section Two

Classical Theorist Ritzer Ch. 2

Max Weber

Classical Theories II Ritzer Ch. 3

George Herbert Mead

Exam II – March 31st* Section Three

Contemporary Grand Theories I Ritzer Ch.4

Structural Functionalism

Talcott Parson’s

Robert Merton

Contemporary Grand Theories II Ritzer Ch. 5

C. Wright Mills

Frankfurt School

Contemporary Theories of Everyday Life Ritzer Ch. 6

Dramaturgy

Exam III – May 10th – 2pm-4:30pm

* EXAM DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.