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CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
EDINBORO UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY Classical SOCIAL THEORY Syllabus
1. COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: Sociology 260 - (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Frank Taylor Office: H.H. 120
Office hours: Telephone: 732-1591 E-Mail: ftaylor@edinboro.edu
Text: Ashley & Orenstien. The Classical Statements.
2.COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is intended to function as a basic introductory course in for the classical sociological theorists. The course will cover the Structural Functionalists, the Conflict theorists, the Symbolic Interactionists, and some other important substantive areas. 3. INTENDED OUTCOMES A. Students will become familiar with the major modern theoretical paradigms in sociology. B. Students will understand the ontological assumptions underlying the modern theoretical traditions in sociology. C. Students will be about to think about ways in which modern social theory can be applied. D. Students will think about ways in which the different theories can be synthesized. E. Students will have a better understanding of the evolution of social theorizing. F. Students will be able to think theoretically about different levels of reality. 4. ASSESSMENT TOOLS Attendance and Participation: Attendance in lecture is required, especially considering that a good deal of material to be covered on the examinations will be presented only in lecture. Those who are consistently tardy or miss more than three lectures risk being dropped from the course. Consistent, quality participation and preparation is expected and will be rewarded. Exams: There are three exams during the semester, one of which is the final. They will consist of a mix of multiple choice and true/false questions. Each of the exams will be of equal worth. Additionally, there will be an essay question handed out a week prior to the exam which you will turn in on the examination day. I expect typewritten, double-spaced answers of 3-5 pages in length. The essay questions will be based on our discussions in class and from material in the text. Essays allow students to demonstrate knowledge of sociological concepts.
RESEARCH PAPER: As the course progresses you will have a better idea as to what constitutes a theoretical issue but you should try to identify a topic you are interested in as early as possible. Your paper will have a title-page, a bibliography, which lists the books and articles you read containing no less than fifteen academic references related to your topic. Papers will be typed, double-spaced, and page numbered. There is no set length but you should be able to cover the material in a meaningful fashion. What does this mean? A paper of twenty pages is probably too long; a paper of less than ten is probably too short. Your work should incorporate major concepts from the course and the language of sociology. I frequently hand out information on how to write research papers. The information on the hand-out may conflict with the requirements listed here, as I use them in multiple courses. In the advent of conflicting instructions stay with the requirements set out here. Graduate students are expected to complete a thoroughly polished and researched paper.
5. STANDARDS OF ACHIEVEMENT Grade Components Three Tests.......300 points Paper................100 points Participation.....100 points Total.................500 points
Grade Scale 450 and above = A 400 - 449 = B 350 - 399 = C 300 - 349 = D < 300 = F
PARTICIPATION GRADE COMPONENTS: Comes to class having read the assignment. Comes to class having made notes and comments on the assigned readings. Is alert and attentive during the class. Participates regularly by offering comments on the assigned readings. Listens to and respects the opinions of other group members. Participates in the presentation and discussion assignments. Attends regularly and on-time. Helps other students express their thoughts and ideas.
RESEARCH PAPER GRADE COMPONENTS: Has a title page and title. Has followed the American Sociological Association research paper format. Has used headings and subheadings throughout the text. Has used page numbers. Has a bibliography which contains fifteen academic references. Has used gender neutral language. Has used the concepts, terms, and language of sociology. Has covered a social problem substantively. Has relied upon the academic journals of the field. Has cited reference material appropriately, where needed and in the correct manner. Has covered the social problem in a number of pages that is meaningful, neither too few, nor too many.
ESSAY QUESTION GRADE COMPONENTS: 100%: A clearly presented correct answer. This involves both knowing the correct answer and being able to state it clearly so that I do not have to guess what you mean. You do not have to recite a memorized definition. Use your own words. However, there are often key terms and their meanings which you must include for the answer to be fully correct. 80 - 90%: An answer which, although mostly correct, lacks either written clarity or a small portion of the answer. 70 -80%: A partially correct answer. There may be need for more information, clearer presentation, or more depth. This answer represents an incomplete understanding of the issues at hand. 60 - 70%: Although the answer is either not correct or incomplete, it may have some redeeming qualities, such as: Good understanding of another concept or some understanding of the issues at hand. Less than 60%: An answer which shows little knowledge of the overall issue.
STATEMENT OF ACADEMIC POLICY AND BEHAVIOR: All students are expected to complete their own work. Helping out fellow students is commendable, but completing someone else’s assignments, work, or research paper is dishonest and unacceptable. Helping another student or students cheat will result in disciplinary action. Your written assignments will be yours alone and you will take care to cite the appropriate references: in this class that is any fact or idea which is not yours.
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