Office: 307 Stone Hall; 49-44679; Email

Sociology 402, Fall 2009, Hogan

Office Hours:MWF 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Office: 307 Stone Hall; 49-44679; email:

website: (select teaching, then Soc 402)

The Principles of Sociology

This is a general survey and history of sociological theory, focusing on the Nineteenth Century European classics (Marx, Durkheim, and Weber) and the Twentieth Century U.S. traditions (functional, conflict, symbolic interactionist, Marxist, and feminist). If we have time we will cover “other” theories, including phenomenological, exchange/behavioral/rational choice, and postmodernism. Students will be expected to read and write daily, experimenting with different types of writing (expressive, descriptive, exploratory, and analytical—you should have learned these in English Composition; if you have questions/problems with the mechanics of writing contact the Writing lab: 49-43723; You will turn in your writings on a regular basis (at least twice a week) for comments. You will turn them in for a grade at least twice. On these occasions you will organize your essays in a portfolio, divided into sections according to type of writing. The minimalist goal is for you to learn how to describe and to compare and contrast the various sociological theories. For those hoping to reach the “next level” the goal is explore questions of interest to you, viewed through the lens of sociological theories, leading toward analysis that synthesizes types of writing and (perhaps) types of theories. There will be no exams.

Required Text: Charles Lemert, Social Theory: The Multicultural & Classic Readings, Third Edition (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2004). (you can use the second edition instead, but the pagination is a little different)

This book is available for purchase at Von's Books in the Village. We will read quite a bit of this book. Some of you may read it all.

Daily TopicsAssigned Readings

IntroductionIntroduction and Introduction to Part I: pp. 1-28

Marx & EngelsKarl Marx and Frederick Engels: pp. 29-67

DurkheimEmile Durkheim: pp. 70-99

WeberMax Weber: pp. 99-126

U.S. SociologySocial Theories and World Conflict: pp. 187-197

The Golden Moment: pp. 271-282; Karl Mannheim: pp. 213-217

ParsonsTalcott Parsons: pp. 208-211; 296-303

MertonRobert Merton: pp. 303-309; 225-237

Conflict TheoryKing: 345-348; Mills: 348-352; SDS: 352-355; Gouldner: 422-427

Symbolic Simmel: 180-184; Cooley: 184-185; Mead: 220-225; Goffman: 331-336;

Interactionists

MarxistsLenin: 211-213; Lukacs: 202-204; Mao: 263-266; Horkheimer: 204-208;

Fromme: 218-220; Marcuse: 427-430; Althusser: 317-321; Gramsci: 259-261; Habermas: 380-383; Wallerstein: 390-397; David Harvey: 609-614; Stuart Hall: 602-609

FeministsGilman: 168-174; Cooper: 174-180; Wolf: 257-258; Beauvoir: 339-341;

Cesaire: 342-344; Friedan: 355-358; Smith: 388-390; Chodorow: 400-404; Spivak: 531-535; Collins: 535-546; Anzaldua: 547-553; Butler: 557-568; Allen: 568-572

OthersWe may discuss and read other theorists. TBA

Grading/Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. We will cover lots of material in very little time. Students who choose not to attend class each day and not to do the daily reading and writing assignments usually become hopelessly lost and fail the course. Half of your grade will be based on effort, including improvement in your reading comprehension and in your writing. In order to pass this course, you will need to describe the major theories identified in weekly topics (see above) and covered in lectures and readings. Basic description that indicates basic comprehension is a sound basis for a “C” if (and only if) you have not missed class and have completed all your assigned writing and turned your work in on time. For a “B” you will have to move on to compare and contrast the theories (exploratory writing, but don’t try this until you are able to demonstrate basic comprehension through description). For an “A” you will have to at least attempt to analyze the theories or apply them in an analytical essay. The goal, ultimately, is for each of you to achieve what you are capable of achieving as you move from expressive to descriptive (and, hopefully) to exploratory and analytical writing. I would love to give you each an “A” but have yet to have that pleasure in over twenty-five years of undergraduate teaching.

Cheating (including plagiarism: the presentation of another’s work, as if it were your own) is grounds for failure in the course and disciplinary action through the Dean of Students Office, including expulsion from the university. Cell phones, habitual tardiness, talking during lecture, and any other such disturbance will not be tolerated

This is a required course for Law and Society and Sociology majors, which is not recommended for students who have not completed most of their sociology course requirements.

In keeping with Purdue policy, every effort will be made to accommodate the differently abled. Please make arrangements if I can help in any way. Feel free to audio tape lectures if that helps. Please discuss more elaborate alternatives to discrete note-taking or audio tapes.