SCLG2601 2021 Semester 1 Weekly Topics PDF

Preview

Summary

Weekly topics...

Description

SCLG2601 Sociological Theory Semester One, 2021 Unit of Study Coordinator: Dr Craig Browne

SCLG2601 Sociological Theory Readings The Required Tutorial Readings are the unit of study textbook and listed readings that are available in electronic versions. The textbook is: Farganis, James, (ed) 2014 Readings in Social Theory: The Classical Tradition to Postmodernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill. (Please see Canvas for purchase with a discount option. It is worth mentioning that the electronic version is discounted, although second-hand copies of the paperback may be available for purchase at a discounted price. The library has copies of the paperback as well.) Electronic Readings will be available either through Canvas, Library EReserve, and University of Sydney Library You may find that the Electronic Readings links are to different – usually later – editions of books to those listed below.

Weekly Lecture and Tutorial Topics

Week 1: Introduction - Contemporary Debates and Classical Arguments This week provides a general overview of the unit of study: SCLG2601 Sociological Theory. The lecture explores the question of the vitality of classical tradition of sociological theory and introduces the debates that shape contemporary sociological theory. It will consider how it is possible to link up with the classical tradition of sociological theory, whether it is necessary to transform classical approaches, and if it is possible to revise their conclusions. The lecture will likewise ask what are the general ‘problems’, or framing questions, that underlie sociological theory. Is it possible to suggest that sociological theory is sensitive to variations in historical and cultural contexts and yet, at the same time, claim that it is informed by a number of constant

1

unifying questions, like what is action, what is order, and how do societies change? In this first lecture, the coordinator will discuss his own contributions to sociological theory. This discussion will serve to clarify how the orientation of the unit of study is related to his program of research. The first week will cover matters to do with the organization and assessment components of the unit of study. It is important to give some thought in advance to the group presentation topic that you would prefer and to have a few options for the different weeks of group presentations. Required Reading Farganis, James, (2014) ‘Introduction: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism: An Overview’ Readings in Social Theory: The Classical Tradition to Postmodernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 1-10 (This the first 10 pages of the chapter.) Further Readings: Try to read as many as possible of Farganis’ ‘Introductions’ to the sociological theorist and sociological perspectives covered in the unit before next week and over the course of the semester. In any event, having a quick look will be helpful in deciding on your tutorial presentation topic. Farganis, James, (2014) Readings in Social Theory: The Classical Tradition to Postmodernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill. Joas, Hans and Knöbl, Wolfgang, (2009) Social Theory Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (‘Introduction’)

Questions: How did social developments influence the formation of sociology as a discipline and sociological theory in particular? Are there common theoretical considerations that are shared by all of the classical sociological theorists? What are some of the main features of ‘modernity’?

For Next Week: Please bring to next week’s tutorial a newspaper or short magazine article that provides a contemporary illustration of one of the main concepts of Karl Marx’s social theory. You should identify a short quotation from next week’s readings that explains or conveys the

2

meaning and implications of the concept that you have chosen. For instance, the concept might be class, class struggle, exploitation, alienation, commodity fetishism, social relations of production, ideology, capitalism, historical materialism, exploitation, etc. Please select a few topics that you would like to do as a group presentation. The topics will be allocated in the tutorials in the second week, so do make sure you are prepared and have selected a couple of alternative topics that you be willing to present.

Week 2: Karl Marx Karl Marx developed a complex approach to the analysis of capitalist modernity. Marx’s theory was genuinely critical. It sought to determine the tendencies within capitalist society that would generate crises and to contribute to the self-understanding of the class that could, in his opinion, end social relations of oppression. Marx believed that capitalism was an unjust and exploitative system of production, founded on the alienation of workers and products. Marx’s social theory has been extremely influential, remaining a point of reference for contemporary discussions of ideology, class and globalisation. Marx’s theory is founded on a distinctive understanding of human capacities and human potential. He contended that the social processes of material production are central to the reproduction of society and that major historical changes in social structures can be traced to alterations in the system of production. For example, the change from a feudal social structure to a capitalist social structure is related to alterations in the ownership of property and changes in the means of producing, and hence also the conditions of work. In Marx’s opinion, the struggle between classes is a dynamic feature of capitalist society, class conflict being a common thread throughout human history. Ideological systems of belief and the oppressive organization of social activities have veiled and disguised the antagonism between social classes. A critical theory, like that initiated by Marx, seeks to undermine these ideologies and contribute to the just transformation of society. Required Reading Karl Marx and Frederick Engels ([1849] 2014) ‘The Manifesto of the Communist Party’ in Farganis, James, Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 31-43; Karl Marx and Frederick Engels ([1849] 2014) ‘The German Ideology’ in Farganis, James, Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 50-53. Streeck, Wolfgang 2014 ‘How will Capitalism End?’, New Left Review Vol. 87 May/ June, pp 35-48 (The first 14 pages of the article.) Electronic

Further Readings

3

‘Karl Marx: Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844’ in Farganis, James, Readings in Social Theory: The Classical Tradition to Postmodernism, 5th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill pp. 37-43 Jessop, Bob (2017) ‘Karl Marx’ in Rob Stones, (ed.) Key Sociological Thinkers, 3rd edition, Palgrave MacMillan, Basingstoke, Hampshire, pp. 40-51. Collins Randall (1994) “The Conflict Tradition” (chapter one) in Four Sociological Traditions, New York: Oxford Browne,( Craig( (2017)( Critical( Social( Theory,( London:( Sage.( pp.( 77-85( (‘Towards( A( Reconceptualization(of(Alienation’)(( Resnick,( S.( &( Wolff,( R.( (2010)( “The( Economic( Crisis:( A( Marxian( Interpretation”,( Rethinking(Marxism,(Vol.(22,(No.(2:(170-186(

Tutorial Discussion Questions Marx believes that labour, or work, is the primary source of social change and the means of reproducing societies across history. What points can you find in the readings this week which support this view? Marx also argues that it is through labour that human beings distinguish themselves from animals. If work is such a creative and self-defining activity, then how do we explain the experiences alienation at work? According to Marx, the contradictions of capitalism mean that it will generate crises and a growing working class whose opposition would logically lead to revolution. Is Marx’s perspective on crisis still relevant to understanding capitalism? In what sense is Marx’s analysis of class relations dialectical? Does class conflict depend on the consciousness of the members of social classes?

Week 3: Emile Durkheim: Social Reality and Social Solidarity In France, there is a long tradition of reflection on problems of social order. The changes in structure of French society arising from the French Revolution and the process of industrialization reinforced the significance of social order for many French intellectuals. Emile Durkheim belongs to this tradition and developed his insights into a distinctive program of knowledge and inquiry. Durkheim aimed to establish the discipline of sociology as the scientific study of society. He argued that the scientific methods of empirical analysis could be applied to social phenomena and that there is a unique quality

4

to social reality. Durkheim outlined a number of key principles of sociology. These principles have been both widely accepted and challenged within sociology. Durkheim’s own works on suicide, social solidarity and religion seek to apply these principles and they elaborate a general theory of society. Durkheim asks basic, though clearly fundamental, sociological questions. For instance, by drawing on his theory we can think about what holds society together in an increasingly individualistic society. Required Reading Durkheim, Emile ([1895] 2014) The rules of the Sociological Method in Farganis, James Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 58-6; Egoistic Suicide and Anomic Suicide, also in Farganis, James, (2014) Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill, pp.64-72 Cladis, Mark S. ‘Beyond solidarity? Durkheim and twenty-first century democracy in a global age’ in Jeffrey Alexander and Phillip Smith (ed) The Cambridge Companion to Durkheim, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 383-395. (The set reading is the first 12 pages of the chapter) Electronic

Further Readings Tiryakian, Edward, A. (2017) ‘Emile Durkheim’ in Rob Stones, (ed.) Key Sociological Thinkers, 3rd edition, Palgrave MacMillan, Basingstoke, Hampshire. pp: 70-86 Library Reserve

Wallace, R.A. and Hartley, S. F. (1988) “Religious elements in friendship: Durkheimian theory in an empirical context” in J. C. Alexander (ed) Durkheimian Sociology: Cultural Studies Cambridge: Cambridge University Press pp. 93-106. Lukes, S. (1975) Émile Durkheim, his life and work: a historical and critical study Harmondsworth: Penguin. Giddens, A. (1973) Capitalism and Modern Social Theory, Cambridge Cambridge University Press.

Tutorial Discussion Questions: What were Durkheim’s aims in stating the ‘rules of the sociological method’?

5

How does Durkheim define social facts? Can you think of a kind of explanation of some aspect of social life that does not fit Durkheim’s definition of social facts? Durkheim is sometimes regarded as a major influence upon structural and functional approaches in sociology, why does his sociological approach to suicide lend itself to such an interpretation? Durkheim thinks social solidarity and feeling part of society is important. What does his analysis of suicide tell us about that? How relevant is Durkheim’s notion of solidarity to understanding societies in the twentyfirst century according to Mark Cladis?

Week 4: Max Weber: Rationality and Religion Max Weber’s work has had a profound impact on sociological thought. A number of sociological categories are especially associated with the thought of Max Weber, including bureaucracy, power, charisma, legitimacy and rationality. He wrote detailed works on ancient economic history, jurisprudence, world religions, capitalism, music and methodology. Weberian scholars have emphasized different leading themes, such as class, power, action and the fate of the individual. In recent discussions, the theme of rationality has been taken as a unifying problem, informing the different strands of Weber’s theory and constituting Weber’s core insight into modernity. The rationalization of modern society reflected substantial changes in the conduct of individuals and the disenchantment of the world. Yet, Weber appreciated the irrationality that may lay behind rationality and which may result from the very process of rationalization. Weber is well known for his theory about the way protestant religion contributed to the development of capitalism in the west. We examine both these topics in the lecture and tutorials this week. Required Reading Weber, M. ([1922] 2014) Bureaucracy in Farganis, James Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 89100 Weber, M. ([1930] 2014) The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, also in Farganis, James Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 85-89 Ritzer, G. (1983), ‘The “McDonaldization” of Society’, Journal of American Culture, 6: 100–107 Electronic

6

Further Readings Scaff, Lawrence A. (2017) ‘Max Weber’ in Rob Stones, (ed.) Key Sociological Thinkers, 3rd edition, Palgrave MacMillan, Basingstoke, Hampshire. pp: 58-69 LIBRARY RESERVE Dillon, Michele (2014) Introduction to Sociological Theory: Theorists, Concepts and their applicability to the twenty first century, Wiley/Blackwellpp.122-143 LIBRARY RESERVE Morrison, K. (1995) Marx, Durkheim Weber London: Sage pp. 212-255; 270-304

Tutorial Discussion Questions: What are the typical features of bureaucracy according to Max Weber? Weber considered Western modernity is distinctive in its commitment to rationality and disenchantment. How are rationality and rationalization discussed in this week’s readings? Why did Weber consider that the benefits of modern bureaucracy outweigh the possible negative effects of this form of social organization? What did Weber mean by the Protestant Ethic? How did this psychological mindset contribute to the development of capitalism? What does Weber mean by the phrase ‘the iron cage’ of rationalization? George Ritzer and Michele Dillon provide different examples of how Weber’s theories may be used to analyse aspects of social organisation in 21st century West. Choose one of these examples and comment.

Week 5: Georg Simmel: Social Relations and Social Interaction In his formal sociology as well as his numerous essays on The Stranger, The Metropolis, Secret Societies, Individuality and Sociability, Georg Simmel attempted to describe the different types of social relations modern individuals have with others. These social relations typically revealed a tension between individualisation and association. This tension was central to his image of urban society. For instance, when he wrote about modern urban sensibility, he noted the complex task of managing physical proximity and emotional distance, a task that continues to shape relations in cities. In essay on

7

‘Fashion’, Simmel drew attention to the way in which fashions are driven by the dynamics of differentiation and imitation, collective membership and individualization. This lecture will consider this problem in relation to Simmel’s theory of sociability, his urban sociology, his interpretation of the philosophy of money, and the psychic dispositions of modern individuals, such as it expressed in exchange and the ‘blasé attitude’. We want to consider Simmel’s penetrating insights into social interaction and the deeper sociological perspective that lies behind them. Required Reading Simmel, Georg. ([1903] 2014) ‘The Metropolis and Mental Life’ in Farganis, James Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 109-120. Simmel, Georg (1997) ‘The Philosophy of Fashion’ in David Frisby and Mike Featherstone (eds) Simmel on Culture, London: Sage, 187-206. Electronic

Further Readings Watier, Patrick (2017) Georg Simmel, in Rob Stones, (ed.) Key Sociological Thinkers, 3rd edition, Palgrave MacMillan, Basingstoke, Hampshire. pp: 86-102 Simmel, G. (2014) ‘The Stranger’ in in Farganis, James Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 120-123. Richardson, L. (1988) Secrecy and Status: The Social Construction of Forbidden Relationships, American Sociological Review, Vol. 53, No. 2 pp. 209-219. Electronic item Wolff K. H. (ed) (1955) The Sociology of Georg Simmel The Free Press: New York LIBRARY RESERVE

Tutorial Discussion Questions: In his analysis of urban life and the spread of individualism, Simmel seems to suggest that modernity is associated with a change in the psychological disposition of individuals and culture. Discuss these ideas, drawing evidence and examples from today’s readings. What insights does Simmel’s analysis of ‘The Metropolis and Mental Life’ provide into social interaction and social relations?

8

How does Simmel’s discussion of the philosophy and dynamics of fashion exemplify his ‘formal sociology’? Do you find Simmel’s explanation of how fashion changes convincing? Although there are differences in interpretation and disagreements, it is clearly possible to explicate the normative, political and epistemological positions and implications of the work of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. Is this equally possible in the case of Simmel? You should identify passages in the readings to support your answer.

Week 6: George Herbert Mead: Intersubjectivity: Self and Other George Herbert Mead's provided an original and ground-breaking conception of the interrelationship of self and society. Mead's understanding of the self is anchored in an account of the intersubjective character of social action and how our sense of identity derives from the relationship of the self to the other. In other words, Mead suggests that it is through interaction that we arrive at a sense of ourselves and that it is from this determination of our own individual identity that a general conception of society is achieved. Mead introduced a number of categories that continue to inform the approach of symbolic interaction. Mead’s perspective on social action has far reaching consequences and he contributed to understanding society as grounded in communication and cooperation. In this, Mead’s ideas reflect North American pragmatist philosophy’s commitment to linking knowledge to practice. This week we pay particular attention to Mead's interpretation of intersubjectivity and attempts to build upon his ideas, especially with respect to reconstructing the theory and practice of democracy. Mead’s influence on the tradition of symbolic interactionism will be discussed in the lectures and tutorials. Mead will be compared with subsequent accounts of social interaction, such as those of Erving Goffman and that of ethnomethodology.

Required Reading Mead, G. H. “The Emergent Self’ in Farganis, James, (ed) 2014 Readings in Social Theory: The Classical Tradition to Postmodernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill pp. 126-137. Westbrook, Robert, (2016) ‘George Herbert Mead and the Promise of Pragmatist Democracy’ in Hans Joas and Daniel R. Huebner (eds) The Timeliness of George Herbert Mead, Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Electronic

Further Readings

9

Carreira da Silva, Filipe (2017) ‘G. H. Mead’ in R. Stones (ed) Key Sociological Thinkers, 3rd ed. Palgrave Macmillan pp. 117-127. Blumer, Herbert (2014) “Society as Symbolic Interaction’ in Farganis, James, (ed) Readings in Social Theory: The Classical Tradition to Postmodernism, 7th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill pp. 274-281. Browne, Craig (2010) ‘Democratic Justice as Intersubjective Freedoms’, Thesis Eleven 101: 53-62.

Tutorial Discussion Questions: In what sense does Mead claim that ‘intersubjectivity’ – the relationship to the other and the interaction of subjects - is prior to subjectivity? Why does the tradition of symbolic interactionism trace its origins back to the work of George Herbert Mead? Mead believes that consciousness develops and...