SS-230 Sociological Theory

3 Credits

Sociological Theory is the core and scaffolding of Sociology. When anyone is asked to describe a discipline as important as sociology, three deceptively simple but in reality quite complex questions arise. The first, “What is sociology?” can only be answered sociologically along with the second: “What is society?” Finally, a third question arises from the title of the very first sociology course taught in America, what are the “ends and uses of society?” This course will be an exploration of sociological theory. We will follow a thematic approach stressing some of the key concerns of sociology: power, the state, self, authority, family, race, gender, social evolution, and of course, society.