L4: Introduction to Social Theory (Part Two: Social Theory) Homework 1.Work on Presentations....

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L4: Introduction to Social Theory

(Part Two: Social Theory) Homework

1. Work on Presentations. Presentations will begin Monday February 13

2. Social Theory Paper

Due Tuesday March 6



AgendaObjective:1. To develop an

understanding of what social theory is and the questions it attempts to answer.

2. To familiarize ourselves with the “classic” social theorists we will be studying.

Schedule:1. Social theory activity2. Social theory discussion3. Go over assignments for

this part of the course

What is Social Theory?: Activity• Put simply: Social theories are ideas about

society, social functioning, and social change.• To better understand what social theory, we

will do the following:– We will break up into small groups– Each group will be given a large sheet of paper

containing one fact about the social world in which we live.

– With your group, try to develop an explanation for why that fact is true and write it on the bottom of your sheet of paper.



What is Social Theory?• Now let’s develop a more precise

definition…• Social theory is a system of

generalized statements or propositions about social phenomena.

• Social theories do two things:– Explain and predict the phenomena in

question– Produce testable hypotheses

• Thus where formal social theory departs from the type of theorizing exercise we just did is that formal social theories put forth propositions that extend across societies and across time periods.



What is Social Theory?• For example, a long standing

social theory predicts that as society becomes more modern, the importance of religion will decline.

• This theory is not restricted in its scope to any one time period or population.

• Instead it is a general proposition that can be tested in any society undergoing modernization at any time.



What is “Classic” Social Theory• Classic Social Theory refers to the work of a

variety of theorists who crafted pivotal theories in sociology that went on to…– Form important frameworks that sociologists today still use to understand the world– Inspire and develop important subfields in contemporary sociology



Why Study “Classic” Social Theory?• Many students find it difficult to understand and interpret what

classic theorists have to say.

• There are two reasons why studying the works of classical social theorists are important:

– The ideas articulated by classical theorists lay the foundation of sociology as a discipline.

– The theories they put forth still guide contemporary theory and research.

• The concepts and ideas introduced by classical theorists thus help us to better understand our world today.

Plan for Our Study of the Classical Theorists

• We will study 6 classic social theorists:– Classical Social Theorist: Marx– Classical Social Theorist: Weber– Classical Social Theorist: Durkheim– Symbolic Interactionism: Goffman– Conflict Theory: Dahrendorf– Black Feminist Thought: Hill Collins

• You will be divided into 6 groups, each group will be charged with presenting the work of their social theorist.

• For more specifics, let’s look at the assignment sheet…

Groups– Classical Social Theorist: Marx

• Tyler, James, Davyona, Caroline B.

– Classical Social Theorist: Weber• Nathan, Nora, Katie, Mike

– Classical Social Theorist: Durkheim• Lauren, Michael, Julia D., Kelly

– Symbolic Interactionism: Goffman• Delali, Carter, Myles, Jonathan

– Conflict Theory: Dahrendorf• Melissa, Sara, Anna, Maura

– Black Feminist Thought: Hill Collins• Julia R., Brandon, Yina,

L4: Introduction to Social Theory (Part Two: Social Theory) Homework 1.Work on Presentations....

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