Module Title: SOCS 122 Social Theory 

Credit Value: 12

General Objectives

The module will introduce both classical and contemporary social theories used in social science. The emphasis will be on theoretical perspectives that are dominant in sociology. The modules will also introduce major theorist in the discipline, their ideas, and how these ideas have informed understanding of our social world.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Evaluate a range of key concepts and theoretical approaches within Sociology.
• Articulate the role of theory in Sociology
• Compare and contrast the basic theoretical perspectives of sociology,
• Analyze, explain, and apply key sociological theories, concepts and terms to social issues.
• Assess the relevance of theory to historical and contemporary social, public, or civic issues.
• Evaluate the relationship between theorists' arguments and the way they use evidence to justify those arguments.

Learning and Teaching Approach Used:

In keeping with the Royal University of Bhutan’s (RUB) policy there will be 3 hours of lecture class and 2 hours of tutorial class in a week. The lecture classes will involve covering of the materials from the assigned textbook(s) and other assigned readings by the module tutor. Teaching and learning approach used will incorporate different learning styles to address different learning styles of student.  Student presentation, help with writing assignments, student assessing their classmates draft assignments, and resolving students doubts will be done during the tutorial classes.

Assessment:

Continuous Assessment:                               40%

            Class Test (2):             10%

            Assignment:               20%

            Participation*:            10%

End of Session Assessment:                           60%

            Presentation:              10%

            Final Exam:                50%

*    The grade for class participation will be determined by the quality of the participation and not the quantity. A student making articulate comments relevant to the lecture and the course will score higher than others who don’t. Students who prefer not to participate in the class can opt to submit their views and ideas for the days lecture at the beginning of the next class in writing.

Subject Matter:

• Foundations of Social Theory: Philosophical and social foundations for the rise of social theory. Adam Smith and Modern World. Tocqueville and Social Analysis.
• Karl Marx – Marx and Economics: labour; means of production; theory of social life; alienation; dynamism. Historical materialism: theory and praxis; commodity. Capital; class structure (bourgeoisie and proletariat); surplus value. Social theory today—labour unions and Marx. “The General Formula for Capital” Marx and Social Class
• Durkheim - Mechanical and Organic solidarity, social facts, anomic suicide and primitive classification. Changing societies: organic and mechanical solidarity. Development of new academic disciplines: Comte and Spencer. Structure v. Agency. Schemas and classification. Meaning of Religion; Sociology of Religion: classical and contemporary approaches. 
• Weber – Capitalism and Religion; “The Sprit of Capitalism”. Marx and Weber on economy; Bureaucracy; Forms of Authority; Modern Society and Social Structures; ‘objectivity’ in social science; empirical Sociology; forms of social power: economic, social, political; Marx and Weber on power;
• Simmel - Interrelationship between theory and research
• Functionalism and Conflict theory – Parsons: personality, social system, culture; AGIL. Merton. Micro v. macro theories of social action. Structural functionalism. Social Conflict (Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Simmel, Parsons, Coser); History as an ongoing story of conflict. Mills and radical sociology.
• Symbolic Interactionism - Dramaturgic Approach to Social Life; impression management; front stage vs. back stage. Goffman: everyday life as drama (winks point to symbol systems) Present of Self in Everyday Life.    
• Phenomenology and Social Constructionism - Alfred Schut: Indirect Social Relationships. “Minority” status as a socially constructed category;  Sociology of culture; Neo-institutionalism;
• Foucault - power; discipline; subjectivity.
• Postmodernism; post-structuralism and social theory;
• Feminist Social Thought – relating gender issues to other social theories
• Pierre Bourdieu - fields, structure, capital, classifications
• Hebermas and Critical Theory; Globalization and systems theory

Reading List

Textbook

Wallace, R. A., & Wolf, A. (2004) Contemporary Sociological Theory: Expanding the Classical Tradition, 6^th Ed. India: Prentice Hall India.

Asheley, D., & Orenstein, D.  (2007). Sociological Theory - Classical Statements, 6^th Ed. India: Pearson Education India.

Reference:

Delaney, T. (2008). Contemporary Social Theory. India: Pearson Education India

Durkheim, E. (1982) “What is a Social Fact?” in Steven Lukes (ed.) Durkheim: The Rules of the Sociological Method. New York: The Free Press, pp. 50-59.

Durkheim, E. (1984) “The Division of Labour in Society” The Rules of the Sociological Method. New York: The Free Press, pp. 11-30, 83-86, 329-341.

Engels, F (1988) “Revolution: Peaceful or Violent” in David McLellan (ed.) Marxism: Essential Writings. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 71-75.

Hegel, G.W.F. (1997) “Independence and Dependence of Self-Conciousness: Lordship and Bondage” in Phenomenology of Spirit (trans. A.V. Miller). Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 111-119.

Luxemburg, R. (1988) “Social Reform or Revolution” in David McLellan (ed.) Marxism: Essential Writings. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 108-120.

Lenin, V.I. (1988) “The Proletarian Party” in David McLellan (ed.) Marxism: Essential Writings. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 146-149. 

Marx, K. “The Materialist Concept of History” in David McLellan (ed.) Marxism: Essential Writings. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 3-20.

Marx, K. (2000) “Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts in David McLellan (ed.) Karl Marx: Selected Writings, 2^nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 83-95.

Marx, K. (2000) “The Sale of Labour Power” in David McLellan (ed.) Karl Marx: Selected Writings, 2^nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 488-492.

Marx, K. (1998) “The Communist Manifesto” in David McLellan (ed.) Marxism: Essential Writings. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 20-49.

Weber, M. (1946) “ Bureaucracy” in H.H. Gerth and C. Wright Mills (eds.) From Max Weber: Essays in Sociology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 196-244. 

Date:  August 15, 2008