Fall 2015

Foundations of Sociological Theory

Listed in: Anthropology and Sociology, as SOCI-315

Formerly listed as: SOCI-15

Faculty

Jerome L. Himmelstein (Section 01)

Description

Sociology emerged as part of the intellectual response to the French and Industrial Revolutions. In various ways, the classic sociological thinkers sought to make sense of these changes and the kind of society that resulted from them. We shall begin by examining the social and intellectual context in which sociology developed and then turn to a close reading of the works of five important social thinkers: Marx, Tocqueville, Weber, Durkheim, and Freud. We shall attempt to identify the theoretical perspective of each thinker by posing several basic questions: According to each social thinker, what is the general nature of society, the individual, and the relationship between the two? What holds societies together?  What pulls them apart?  How does social change occur? What are the distinguishing features of modern Western society in particular? What distinctive dilemmas do individuals face in modern society? What are the prospects for human freedom and happiness? Although the five thinkers differ strikingly from each other, we shall also determine the extent to which they share a common “sociological consciousness.” Required of sociology majors.

Limited to 30 students. Fall semester. Professor Himmelstein.

SOCI 315 - L/D

Section 01
M 02:00 PM - 03:20 PM MERR 403
W 02:00 PM - 03:20 PM MERR 403

This is preliminary information about books for this course. Please contact your instructor or the Academic Coordinator for the department, before attempting to purchase these books.

ISBN Title Publisher Author(s) Comment Book Store Price
Age of Revolution Hobsbawm Amherst Books TBD
Democracy in America Tocqueville Amherst Books TBD
From Max Weber Weber Amherst Books TBD
Future of an Illusion Freud Amherst Books TBD
Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego Freud Amherst Books TBD
Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis Freud Amherst Books TBD
Marx-Engels Reader Marx Amherst Books TBD
New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis Freud Amherst Books TBD
On Morality and Society Selected Writings Durkheim Amherst Books TBD
Protestant Ethic & the Spirit of Capitalism Weber Amherst Books TBD
Suicide: A Study in Sociology Durkheim Amherst Books TBD

These books are available locally at Amherst Books.

Offerings

Other years: Offered in Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Fall 2023