Fall 2002
Room # 2510 N
Phone number:
212-237-8680
E-mail address: 331197@newschool.edu
Office hours: Tuesdays
from 11am-12pm
Course description: This course
examines the issue of social order, as it was analyzed in the works of the
early sociologists of the 19th century as well as in later works of
the early 20th century. The classical sociological theories of Emil
Durkheim, Karl Marx, Max Weber and Talcott Parsons will be discussed in detail,
but also attention will be given to authors such as Auguste Comte, Herbert
Spencer, Georg Simmel, Karl Manheim and others. The main topics that will be
covered are the following: the underlying conditions of social order, the
division of labor, social stratification, social change, the rise and
development of capitalism, and societal disruptions.
Bibliography:
Ritzer, George, Classical Sociological Theory, third edition, Mc Graw Hill, 2000
(to be purchased from John Jay bookstore).
In addition primary
sources parts of original texts of sociological writings will be put on
reserve in John Jay Library. Both sources are required.
Course requirements:
There are three requirements for this
course: the midterm exam, the final exam and an individual presentation/ short
essay.
The two examinations will consist of 2-3
essay questions based on the readings discussed in the class. Make up exams are
allowed only under serious proven circumstances and have to be taken at the
scheduled date. Otherwise, it will count as a missed assignment.
Individual presentation/essay: during the
semester, each student will present a brief paper in class. The sociological
conception of social order as developed by one of the sociologists will be
outlined in the presentation. This should also include brief comparative
references to other sociologists, a critical assessment of the sociological
conception as well as its relevance/ irrelevance for contemporary societies.
The presentation should be written in the form of a short essay (at least 5
pages) that will be included in the students portfolio.
Final grade: the midterm and the final exam
will each count for 35% of the grade, 20% for the presentation/essay, and 10%
for class participation. By class participation is understood contribution to
the discussion as well as attendance. More than three absences will result in
the lowering of the final grade.
Course
schedule with assignments
September 3
Course presentation.
September 5 The historical context of the
development of sociological theory (Ritzer, pp. 1-19).
September 10 Saint Simon and Auguste
Comte (Ritzer, pp. 87-97).
September 12 Comte (Ritzer, pp. 98-112).
September 17 No class.
September 19 Alexis de Tocqueville
(readings on reserve).
September 24 Herbert Spencer (Ritzer, pp.
113-115, 125-132).
September 26 Spencer (Ritzer, pp. 133-146).
October 1 Emile Durkheim (Ritzer, pp.
181-192).
October 3 Durkheim (Ritzer, pp. 198-212).
October 8 Durkheim (readings on reserve).
October 10 Karl Marx (Ritzer, pp.
147-150, 156-167).
October 15 Marx (Ritzer, pp. 167-179 and
readings on reserve).
October 17 Max Weber (Ritzer, pp. 215-221, 227-232).
October 22 Weber (Ritzer, pp. 235-239,
249-257).
October 24 Weber (readings on reserve)
and comparative overview on Durkeim, Marx and Weber.
October 29 Midterm exam.
October 31 Georg Simmel (Ritzer, pp.
259-261, 265-271).
November 5 Simmel (Ritzer, pp. 274-286).
November 7 Early women sociologists
(Ritzer, ch. 9).
November 12 Thorstein Veblen (Ritzer, pp.
323-327, 333-340).
November 14 Veblen (Ritzer, pp. 341-352).
November 19 Karl Mannheim (Ritzer, pp.
353-365).
November 21 Mannheim (Ritzer, pp. 356-384).
November 26 G. H. Mead (Ritzer, pp.
385-395, 395-408).
November 28 No class.
December 3 Talcott Parsons (Ritzer, pp.
431-442).
December 5 Parsons (Ritzer, pp. 442-454).
December 10 Parsons (readings on
reserve).
December 12 Summing up.
Final exam: TBA