Syllabus - Sociological Theory - Davidson College

• Kenneth Morrison. 2006. Marx, Weber, Durkheim: Formations of Modern Social Thought. Second
Edition. Sage Publications.
• Giddens, Anthony. 1973. Capitalism and Modern Social Theory: An Analysis of the Writings of Marx,
Durkheim and Max Weber. Cambridge.
• Kenneth Allan. 2007. The Social Lens: An Invitation to Social and Sociological Theory. Pine Forge
Press.
• Mark A. Schneider. 2006. The Theory Primer: A Sociological Guide. Rowman and Littlefield.
• Georg Simmel, edited by Donald N. Levine. 1972. Georg Simmel on Individuality and Social
Forms (Heritage of Sociology Series). Chicago.
• Erving Goffman. 1961. Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates.
Anchor.
• William Outhwaite. 1995. Habermas: A Critical Introduction (Key Contemporary Thinkers).
Stanford University Press.
• Randall Collins. 2004. Interaction Ritual Chains. Princeton University Press.
Specific Requirements:
Participation, Attendance, Discussion 10%
Student Selected Course Reserve Reading 10%
Analytic Papers Part 1 20%
Analytic Papers Part 2 20%
Theorist Book Report 20%
Sociological Theorist Paper 20%
Total Grade = 100%
Participation, Attendance, Discussion are all related to my expectation that students attend class
regularly and participate in class discussions, exercises, and group projects, as required or appropriate.
On Tuesdays, we will usually focus on secondary readings (e.g., Coser, Giddens, Allan, Schnieder, Other
Authors) and a student’s Theorist Book Review. On Thursdays, we will focus on primary readings from
student selected course reserves (see below). I presume students can and will attend all or almost all
classes, but may occasionally have a legitimate reason to miss one class in the semester (extremely sick,
family funeral, etc.). I will take weekly attendance, however I am not interested in adjudicating doctors'
notes and other excuses. Just come to class, and don't miss more than one, if any. An unreasonable
number of absences from class will definitely hurt one's final grade (see on attendance more below).
Entirely faithful class attendance is notable and could make a positive difference in final grades in
borderline cases. For any student, missing 2 weeks-equivalent of class (2 M/W, 4 TTH or 6 MWF)
without excuse is sufficient grounds for failing the course. I do understand student athletes may need to
miss classes, and up to a week-equivalent of class (1 M/W, 2 TTH or 3 MWF) may be excused for athletic
events. Please provide schedules to me at the beginning of the semester. Overall, your active and
prepared participation in class discussion will be worth 10% of the final grade.
Every week, a student will be responsible for a Student Selected Course Reserve Reading. At least 10
days prior to discussing each theorist, students are to select 1-2 chapters (or equivalent) for the class to
read together. One student will sift through the corpus of a theorist’s work to copy and upload a
significant reading excerpt(s); the rest of the class will together read the selected excerpt(s) of each week’s
theorist. Choice of text is up to the discretion of each student, although I am happy to help with
decisions. Selected reading(s) should optimally a) illustrate core theme(s), idea(s), concept(s) of
theoretical work, b) represent core, rather than peripheral, aspects of author’s theoretical achievement(s),
c) be interesting, provocative, and stimulating for the development of sociological perspective.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PLACING READINGS ON RESERVE: Neatly photocopy pages of the text, along
with title page and identifying bibliographic information. Then see Jean Coates or another librarian at
the front desk of the Little Library and politely inform them you have course reserve readings to upload
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