Ari Adut

Description

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to some of the more important theoretical foundations of the discipline of sociology and to current debates in modern social theory. The first part of the course covers select classical theorists. The second part provides an introduction to twentieth-century social theory and critical perspectives on the classical foundations of sociology. The third and final part presents a highly influential response to these challenges by a leading sociological theorist of our day. Throughout the course, the main topics of interest are the rise and transformation of modern society, the changing relationship between the individual and social institutions, the role of social structures and agency in social theory, the role of moral and instrumental action in agency theory, the challenge of critical theory to the social sciences, and contemporary attempts at a critical and multidimensional theory of society.

This course challenges students to think theoretically and critically about society and its material and cultural construction. The readings for the course are difficult but not inaccessible. This course will be fruitful if, and only if, students make a serious commitment to do the reading and to attend class. If this commitment is made, the social world might never look and feel quite the same. At least this is my goal and I aim to deliver.

Grading Policy

Three short papers 75%

Three one to two page memos on reading 15%

Class participation 10%

Short papers: Students must write three papers, each approximately five pages in length. One paper is due for each of the three parts of the course.

Memos: For the first part of the course, I will ask you to write three memos, each approximately one page in length. One memo will be on Karl Marx. The second memo will be on Emile Durkeim. And the final memo is on Max Weber.

Texts

All texts have been ordered through MonkeyWrench Books (110 E. North Loop, Austin, TX 78751; tel. (512) 407-6925)

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The Marx-Engels Reader, ed. Robert Tucker, Norton

Emile Durkheim, On Morality and Society, ed. Robert N. Bellah, Chicago

Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Roxbury

Georg Simmel, On Individuality and Social Forms, ed. Donald Levine, Chicago

Sigmund Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents, Norton

Michel Foucault, The Foucault Reader, ed. Paul Rabinow, Pantheon

Jurgen Habermas, Jurgen Habermas on Society and Politics: A Reader, ed. Seidman, Beacon

Description

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to some of the more important theoretical foundations of the discipline of sociology and to current debates in modern social theory. The first part of the course covers select classical theorists. The second part provides an introduction to twentieth-century social theory and critical perspectives on the classical foundations of sociology. The third and final part presents a highly influential response to these challenges by a leading sociological theorist of our day. Throughout the course, the main topics of interest are the rise and transformation of modern society, the changing relationship between the individual and social institutions, the role of social structures and agency in social theory, the role of moral and instrumental action in agency theory, the challenge of critical theory to the social sciences, and contemporary attempts at a critical and multidimensional theory of society.

This course challenges students to think theoretically and critically about society and its material and cultural construction. The readings for the course are difficult but not inaccessible. This course will be fruitful if, and only if, students make a serious commitment to do the reading and to attend class. If this commitment is made, the social world might never look and feel quite the same. At least this is my goal and I aim to deliver.

Grading Policy

Three short papers 75%

Three one to two page memos on reading 15%

Class participation 10%

Short papers: Students must write three papers, each approximately five pages in length. One paper is due for each of the three parts of the course.

Memos: For the first part of the course, I will ask you to write three memos, each approximately one page in length. One memo will be on Karl Marx. The second memo will be on Emile Durkeim. And the final memo is on Max Weber.

Texts

All texts have been ordered through MonkeyWrench Books (110 E. North Loop, Austin, TX 78751; tel. (512) 407-6925)

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The Marx-Engels Reader, ed. Robert Tucker, Norton

Emile Durkheim, On Morality and Society, ed. Robert N. Bellah, Chicago

Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Roxbury

Georg Simmel, On Individuality and Social Forms, ed. Donald Levine, Chicago

Sigmund Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents, Norton

Michel Foucault, The Foucault Reader, ed. Paul Rabinow, Pantheon

Jurgen Habermas, Jurgen Habermas on Society and Politics: A Reader, ed. Seidman, Beacon

Course Description

This course focuses on some of the major theoretical paradigms and concepts in contemporary sociological inquiry. Among the theorists whose works we will consider are: Andrew Abbott, Charles Tilly, Pierre Bourdieu, Erving Goffman, James Coleman, Ann Swidler, Randall Collins, Roger Gould, and Michel Foucault.

I will take the form of class discussion; everybody should come having done the readings and be prepared to talk about them.  Each student will write a paper 12-15 pages due at the end of the semester.  Each student will do one presentation.  All readings for this course are on reserve, but the texts can be purchased at the University Coop.

This course focuses on some of the major theoretical paradigms and concepts in contemporary sociological inquiry. Among the theorists whose works we will consider are: Andrew Abbott, Charles Tilly, Pierre Bourdieu, Erving Goffman, James Coleman, Ann Swidler, Randall Collins, Roger Gould, and Michel Foucault.

I will take the form of class discussion; everybody should come having done the readings and be prepared to talk about them.  Each student will write a paper 12-15 pages due at the end of the semester.  Each student will do one presentation.  All readings for this course are on reserve, but the texts can be purchased at the University Coop.

Description

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to some of the more important theoretical foundations of the discipline of sociology and to current debates in modern social theory. The first part of the course covers select classical theorists. The second part provides an introduction to twentieth-century social theory and critical perspectives on the classical foundations of sociology. The third and final part presents a highly influential response to these challenges by a leading sociological theorist of our day. Throughout the course, the main topics of interest are the rise and transformation of modern society, the changing relationship between the individual and social institutions, the role of social structures and agency in social theory, the role of moral and instrumental action in agency theory, the challenge of critical theory to the social sciences, and contemporary attempts at a critical and multidimensional theory of society.

This course challenges students to think theoretically and critically about society and its material and cultural construction. The readings for the course are difficult but not inaccessible. This course will be fruitful if, and only if, students make a serious commitment to do the reading and to attend class. If this commitment is made, the social world might never look and feel quite the same. At least this is my goal and I aim to deliver.

Grading Policy

Three short papers 75%

Three one to two page memos on reading 15%

Class participation 10%

Short papers: Students must write three papers, each approximately five pages in length. One paper is due for each of the three parts of the course.

Memos: For the first part of the course, I will ask you to write three memos, each approximately one page in length. One memo will be on Karl Marx. The second memo will be on Emile Durkeim. And the final memo is on Max Weber.

Texts

All texts have been ordered through MonkeyWrench Books (110 E. North Loop, Austin, TX 78751; tel. (512) 407-6925)

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The Marx-Engels Reader, ed. Robert Tucker, Norton

Emile Durkheim, On Morality and Society, ed. Robert N. Bellah, Chicago

Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Roxbury

Georg Simmel, On Individuality and Social Forms, ed. Donald Levine, Chicago

Sigmund Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents, Norton

Michel Foucault, The Foucault Reader, ed. Paul Rabinow, Pantheon

Jurgen Habermas, Jurgen Habermas on Society and Politics: A Reader, ed. Seidman, Beacon

Description:

This course focuses on some of the major theoretical paradigms and concepts in sociological inquiry.  Its format will combine lectures with class discussions; everybody should come having done the daily readings and prepared to talk about the material.

Texts:

Craig Calhoun et al. (editors), Classical Sociological Theory, London: Blackwell, 2002

Erving Goffman, Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, New York: Anchor Books, 1959

Mancur Olson, The Logic of Collective Action, Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1965

Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, London: Routledge, 1992

Grading and Requirements:

First Exam 30%

Second Exam 40%

Final Exam 30%

This course is an overview of some of the major contemporary research in the sociology of culture. Among the themes we will discuss: meaning systems and their transformations; symbolic nature of consumption; relationship between culture and social stratification; cultural bases of power; culture industry; and sociology of the arts.

Description:

This course focuses on some of the major theoretical paradigms and concepts in sociological inquiry.  Its format will combine lectures with class discussions; everybody should come having done the daily readings and prepared to talk about the material.

Texts:

Craig Calhoun et al. (editors), Classical Sociological Theory, London: Blackwell, 2002

Erving Goffman, Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, New York: Anchor Books, 1959

Mancur Olson, The Logic of Collective Action, Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1965

Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, London: Routledge, 1992

Grading and Requirements:

First Exam 30%

Second Exam 40%

Final Exam 30%

Description:

This course focuses on some of the major theoretical paradigms and concepts in sociological inquiry.  Its format will combine lectures with class discussions; everybody should come having done the daily readings and prepared to talk about the material.

Texts:

Craig Calhoun et al. (editors), Classical Sociological Theory, London: Blackwell, 2002

Erving Goffman, Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, New York: Anchor Books, 1959

Mancur Olson, The Logic of Collective Action, Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1965

Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, London: Routledge, 1992

Grading and Requirements:

First Exam 30%

Second Exam 40%

Final Exam 30%

This course focuses on some of the major theoretical paradigms and concepts in sociological inquiry.

This course focuses on some of the major theoretical paradigms and concepts in contemporary sociological inquiry. Among the theorists whose works we will consider are: Andrew Abbott, Charles Tilly, Pierre Bourdieu, Erving Goffman, James Coleman, Ann Swidler, Randall Collins, Roger Gould, and Michel Foucault.

I will take the form of class discussion; everybody should come having done the readings and be prepared to talk about them.  Each student will write a paper 12-15 pages due at the end of the semester.  Each student will do one presentation.  All readings for this course are on reserve, but the texts can be purchased at the University Coop.

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, and six semester hours of coursework in sociology or consent of instructor.