SOCI 3200.002 | Spring 2017 | University of North Texas
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
Class Location:Wooten Hall (WH), Room 111
Days and Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:50 am
Class Webpage:Available through Blackboard:
Instructor:Michael F. Thompson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Sociology
Office:Chilton Hall, Room 390C
Office Hours: Tuesdays3:30 to 5:30pm and by appointment via website:
E-mail:
Phone:940-565-4880
Welcome to the sociological theory course. In this class, we will learn and discuss key theories developed by seminal scholars and understand how they sociologists use them towards productive research. We will start with foundational workby Marx, Durkheim, Weber and Simmel and then move on to core theories in the discipline: functionalism, conflict, symbolic interactionism, exchange theory and rational choice. Then we explore concepts associated with feminism and critical race theory before ending with a look at (post)modernism, (post)structuralism, and implications of contemporary global theories.
The purpose of the class is to expose you to a wide range of sociological theories that will expand your understanding of complex social problems and inform your own research. Success in this course depends on extensive reading of original texts within the course reader, active discussion in class, as well as completion of six response papers and three exams.
Course Readings
Reader:Kivisto, Peter. 2013. Social Theory: Roots and Branches(5th edition). New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780199937127
Online Articles and Excerpts:Several course readings will be posted on Blackboard or otherwise distributed for you to read before class. See the course schedule for updates.
Requirements
1)Attendance and Participation. Attendance at every class and participation is crucial to successful performance in this course.
Emergency Absences. To allow for an unexpected emergency, students will not be penalized for missing four (4) classes over the course of the semester. However,each additional absence, whatever the reason, will reduce your grade in the course. Exceptions will be made for university-sanctioned missed classes or classes missed because of religious holidays (permission must be requested).
2. Three (3) Reading Responses. 2-3 double-spaced pages each. On your three assigned weeks, you will prepare a rich summary of the main arguments of the assigned readings – with an extended focus on one of them – and prepare two discussion questions for the class.
3. Exams
There will be three exams – two during the semester and one final exam. Although each of these exams will focus on material most recently covered in class, they are cumulative so will also test knowledge from earlier in the semester. These exams will have a few multiple-choice questions but mostly focus on short answer responses and short essays.
Course Requirements / Grade DistributionREQUIREMENT / COURSE GRADE / GRADE / MINIMUM PERCENTAGE
Participation & Attendance / 10% / A / 90%
Reading Responses (3, 5% each) / 15% / B / 80%
Exam 1 / 20% / C / 70%
Exam 2 / 25% / D / 60%
Final Exam / 30% / F / under 60%
TOTAL / 100%
Course Policies
1) Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty of any kind is not tolerated, including, cheating and plagiarism. Any form of academic dishonesty can result in failure of the course and will be reported to the Dean of Students. More information is at:
2) Student Conduct and Safe Space for Diversity and Open Communication
You are expected to keep an open mind while we discuss topics that may be controversial. Students from all backgrounds – including race, nationality and sexual orientation – are welcome and their opinions will be treated with respect.
Please refer to the student handbook for complete details of University policy:
3) Disability Accommodations and Special Needs
If you have a condition that requires accommodation in this course, please speak with the instructor after class or during the first week of class. Any necessary or appropriate accommodations will be made provided that timely notice is received, and that the arrangement is consistent with recommendations from Disability Services, when applicable. Students who require this type of assistance should contact the Office of Disability Accommodation and more information is available at
Please note accommodations are made after a disability is officially verified.
4) Tips on Effective Communication via E-mail
E-mail is the best way to contact your instructor but please be sure that messages are written formally (not like a text/SMS message). You message should include:
-Subject line that includes the course (e.g. “SOCI3200: Question about reading”);
-Salutation (e.g. “Dear Professor”/”Dear Michael”) at the beginning;
-Message. Always mention the purpose of the e-mail in at least one full sentence.
-Full name at the end (e.g. “Sincerely, Jane Smith”)
5) Classroom Policy on Personal Electronic Devices (cell phones, computers etc.)
It is important you are engaged in this class so that the use of cellular/mobile phones is not allowed for conversations, visiting websites online or sending or receiving messages. Please keep your phone silent throughout the class.
You may use a device only to assist your learning (e.g. a laptop computer, tablet) but please ensure it will not distract you or your classmates. You may need to show proof of your productive use of the device.
NOTE: Audio or video recording is also not allowed, unless you receive special written permission from the instructor
SOCI 3200.002 | Spring 2017 | University of North Texas
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
This Schedule is tentative, changes will be announced in class and online
Date / Topic / Readings (Section-Chapter)T / 17-Jan / Orientation
Th / 19-Jan
T / 24-Jan / Marx / I-1, 3, 4, 5
Th / 26-Jan
T / 31-Jan / Durkheim / II-6, 8, 9, 10
Th / 2-Feb
T / 7-Feb / Weber / III-11, 12, 13, 15
Th / 9-Feb
T / 14-Feb / Simmel / IV-16, 18, 19
Th / 16-Feb
T / 21-Feb / EXAM 1
Th / 23-Feb / Functionalism
T / 28-Feb / VII-33 (Merton), 34 (Parsons), 35 (Coser)
Th / 2-Mar
T / 7-Mar / Conflict / VIII-37 (Mills), 38 (Dahrendorf), 39 (Collins), Online: Bourdieu "Forms of Capital"
Th / 9-Mar
T / 14-Mar / NO CLASS: SPRING BREAK
Th / 16-Mar
T / 21-Mar / Symbolic Interactionism / V-27 (Cooley), VI-32 (Mead), IX-41 (Blumer), 42 (Goffman), 45 (Garfinkle)
Th / 23-Mar
T / 28-Mar / Exchange Theory & Rational Choice / X-48 (Coleman), 49 (Hechter), 50 (Blau)
Th / 30-Mar
T / 4-Apr / EXAM 2
Th / 6-Apr / Feminism
T / 11-Apr / V-24 (Perkins Gillman), XI-51 (West & Zimmerman), 52 (MacKinnon), 55 (Connell)
Th / 13-Apr
T / 18-Apr / Race, Ethnicity & Nationalism / XII-56 (Omi & Winant), XI-53 (Hill Collins), XII-59 (Brubaker), 60 (Calhoun),
Th / 20-Apr
T / 25-Apr / (Post)modernity & (Post)structuralism / XIV-68 (Giddens), XV-74 (Bauman), 75 (Lyotard), XVII- 83 (Seidman)
Th / 27-Apr
T / 2-May / Global & New Directions / XVI-78 (Appadurai), XVII-80 (Touraine),
84 (Castells)
Th / 4-May
Th / 11-May / FINAL EXAM-Scheduled at 8AM by UNT Registrar
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