Sociology 502: Contemporary Sociological Theory

SOCIOLOGY 502: CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

Spring Term 1997

Monday at 3:00 p.m. in 2-N-3 Green Hall

Professor Mustafa Emirbayer
Office: 212 229-5312

e-mail

Course Description

Course Requirements

Course Outline

Week 1:Introduction
Week 2: Relational Sociology
Week 3:(Neo-) Functionalism
Week 4: Rational-Choice Theory And Ethnomethodology
Week 5: Dramaturgical Theory
Week 6: Constructivist Structuralism
Week 7: Structuration Theory
Week 8: (Neo-) Pragmatism
Week 9: Post-Structuralism
Week 9: Post-Structuralism (Continued)
Week 10: Critical Theory
Week 11: Feminist Theory
Week 12: Cultural Theory

Contemporary Sociological Theory

This course reviews some of the most important developments in contemporary sociological theory. It examines work in such areas as relational sociology; rational-choice theory and ethnomethodology; dramaturgical analysis; (neo-) functionalism; constructivist structuralism; structuration theory; (neo-) pragmatism; post-structuralism; critical theory; feminist theory; and cultural theory. The course emphasizes a close reading of original texts, as well as seminar-style class discussions.

Course Requirements

Eight memos on the required readings (your choice of weeks), three double-spaced pages each. Due in class the day the readings are discussed. Focus: substantive and critical issues to be discussed in class.

One review of a recent theory book of your choice (800 words maximum).

Final take-home examination.

Week 1: Introduction: Introduction to the course. No readings.; Recommended: Donald Levine, Visions of the Sociological Tradition (entire).

Week 2: Relational Sociology: Mustafa Emirbayer, "Manifesto for a Relational Sociology."; Georg Simmel, Georg Simmel: On Individuality and Social Forms (chs. 3, 6; 9; 10; 18; 20).
Georg Simmel, Conflict and the Web of Group Affiliations (pp. 125-95).

Week 3: (Neo-) Functionalism: Talcott Parsons, "On Building Social System Theory."; Talcott Parsons, Politics and Social Structure (chs. 1-2; 11).; Jeffrey Alexander, "Introduction: Neo-Functionalism."

Week 4: Rational-Choice Theory And Ethnomethodology: James Coleman, "Social Theory, Social Research, and a Theory of Action" (pp. 1309-1320 only).; James Coleman, Foundations of Social Theory (chs. 1; 2; 10-11; 19).; Harold Garfinkel, Studies in Ethnomethodology (chs. 2; 1).

Week 5: Dramaturgical Theory

Erving Goffman, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (entire).

Erving Goffman, "The Interaction Order."

Week 6: Constructivist Structuralism

Pierre Bourdieu, In Other Words (chs. 8; 1-2).

Pierre Bourdieu, The Field of Cultural Production (chs. 1; 4-7).

Week 7: Structuration Theory: Anthony Giddens, The Giddens Reader (selections to be announced).; William Sewell, Jr., "A Theory of Structure."

Week 8: (Neo-) Pragmatism: George Herbert Mead, On Social Psychology (pp. 199-284).; Hans Joas, Pragmatism and Social Theory (Conclusion).; Mustafa Emirbayer and Ann Mische, "What is Agency?"

Week 9: Post-Structuralism: Michel Foucault, Discipline and Punish (pp. 3-31; 135-228; 293-308). See also next page.

Week 9: Post-Structuralism (Continued): Michel Foucault, "On The Genealogy of Ethics."

Week 10: Critical Theory: Jurgen Habermas, The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere (Author's Preface; Parts I-III; V-VI).; Jean Cohen and Andrew Arato, Civil Society and Political Theory (Preface; ch. 9).

Week 11: Feminist Theory: Nancy Fraser, Unruly Practices (chs. 1; 6; 8).; Joan Scott, Gender and the Politics of History (Introduction; ch. 2).

Week 12: Cultural Theory: Clifford Geertz, "Thick Description: Toward an Interpretive Theory of Culture"; Ann Swidler, "Culture in Action."; Michele Lamont, "Colliding Moralities Between Black and White Workers."; Jeffrey Alexander and Philip Smith, "The Discourse of American Civil Society."; Mustafa Emirbayer and Jeff Goodwin, "Network Analysis, Culture, and the Problem of Agency."