Module:                                 SPT204 Classical Social Theory

Programme:                         BA in Political Science and Sociology

Credit value:                         12

Module Tutor:                     

General Objective

The module will introduce students to the classical social theories that have guided the study of sociology.  It will cover the work of foundational thinkers from the 1800s to early 1900s who have shaped subsequent social thought in the West.  Students will be exposed to classical sociological theorists as Auguste Comte, Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Georg Simmel, and Vilfredo Pareto along with less frequently mentioned women theorists and others such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Marianne Weber, Charlotte P. Gilman, and Rosa Luxemburg.”

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, learners will be able to:

1. Articulate what theory is and how it is used
2. Construct an outline of the history of sociology and social sciences
3. Identify and describe the intellectual foundations of sociological theory.
4. Examine analytical tools used in various traditions of social theory
5. Apply different social theoretical approaches to understand society, social problems and issues
6. Demonstrate ability to analyse works by classical thinkers
7. Evaluate competing  theoretical  perspectives  logically  and  with  relevant empirical evidence
8. Compare and contrast the basic theoretical perspectives of sociology

Learning and teaching approach

Assessment approach

Assessments  will  be  carried  out  on  a  continuous  basis  through  the  following assignments:

A. Mid-semester exam: Portion of the final mark: 20%

Two test will be conducted in this module. The first test will take place on Week 6 and is worth 10% of the final marks.  The second test will be conducted on Week 11 and will be worth 10% of the final marks.

B. Writing assignment: Portion of the final mark: 15%

Writing assignment will involve selecting a theorist and writing a paper arguing for their  choice.  The essay  should  be  2000  word  long  and  will  be  graded  on following: information)

• 8%   -   Content   (understanding   of   the   subject,   relevance   of
• 4% - Critical evaluation and discussion of evidence with examples
• 3% - Grammar and style

C. Oral Presentation and discussion: Portion of the final mark: 15%

Oral presentation and discussion will be for 25 minutes. Students will work in groups of 2 – 3 students each for this part of the assessment.  The assessment will be graded as follows:

• 2.5% - Delivery
• 8% - Content
• 2% - Organization
• 2.5% - Enthusiasm/Audience Awareness

D. Class debate: Portion of the final marks:10%

Series of debates on various social theories and issues will be conducted in the class. It will be a structured sociological discussion where students are expected to represent and articulate differing theoretical perspectives.

• 2% - Reasoning
• 2% - Clarity and understanding of topic
• 2% - Use of facts/examples/statistics
• 2% - Rebuttal
• 2% - Teamwork and respect for others

E. End-semester examination: Portion of the final marks: 40% 

End semester examination will be conducted after the completion of Week 15. A mix of short answer and essay questions will be asked. Questions will cover all the subject matter of the module. The examination will be for three hours for a total of 100 marks. 

Overview of assessment approaches and weighting

Pre-requisite: None

Subject matter

Unit I:Precursor to Sociological Theory

• What is enlightenment? – Kant: Historical context; Reason and scientific revolution; Conservative reaction;
• The wealth of nations – Smith: Division of labour;
• Democracy in America and India: Individualism and democratic countries

Unit II: Sociological Theory – Marx and Engels

• Alienation; definition and types of alienation
• History of class struggle: dialectical materialism
• Capitalism and the labour process: Labour theory of value

Unit III: Sociological Theory of Emile Durkheim

• Society and Social facts: defining, types, rules for observation of society and social facts, characteristic and criticism
• Solidarity and modern life: the of Division of labor in society, function of the division of labor -Mechanical and Organic solidarity
• Egoism and anomie: concept and types, suicide

Unit IV: Sociological Theory of Max Weber

• Method of social science: objectivity in social science
• Religion  and  rationality:  Type  of  rationality,  religious rationalization- the protestant ethics and the spirit of capitalism.
• Bureaucracy and Politics: type of authority and principles of bureaucracy

Unit V: Self and Society in classical sociological theory 

• The self and the stranger: self and society, I and the me, the strange
• Development of individuality: Group expansion and the transformation of social bonds, relation between personal and collective individuality. Stages of social commitment, freedom and individuality.

Reading List

Essential reading:

Calhoun, C., Gerteis, J., Moody, J., Pfaff, S., &Virk, I. (Eds.). (2012). Classical Sociological Theory (3 edition).

Chichester, West Sussex, Malden, M. A: Wiley-Blackwell. (This book contains the original writings)

Hadden, R. W. (1997). Sociological Theory: An Introduction to the Classical Tradition. Peterborough, Ont.: University of Toronto Press, Higher Education Division.

Additional reading

Ashley, D., & Orenstein, D. M. (2004). Sociological Theory: Classical Statement. (6th Eds.). Boston: Pearson. 

Date: December 2015