Sociology 571 Jim Thomas
Weds, 6-8:40 Office: 753-6436
DuSable 212 Home: 756-3839
email: jthomas@sun.soci.niu.edu
The course will briefly summarize earlier trends in contemporary theory,
beginning with Mead, Durkheim, and early symbolic interctionists, in order
to provide a background to illustrate theoretical changes in the past 30-40
years.
We will focus most heavily on recent developments in interpretive sociology,
Marxism, feminism, critical theory, and post-modernism/post-structuralism.
The class will be run as a seminar, and it is crucial that *EVERYBODY*
keep abreast of readings.
Required Texts
NOTE: The texts form the basis for secondary readings, which will be announced
a few weeks prior to each class period. The basic required texts:
George Ritzer and Douglas J. Goodman: Modern Sociological Theory (6th ed)
James Farganus: Readings in Sociological Theory (4th ed): McGraw Hill
Michel Foucault -- The Archeology of Knowledge
Erving Goffman -- The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life
Handouts/readings and weekly assigments
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1) Two short papers on selected theorists (50 points - 25 points each)
2) Two class presentations on selected theorists (100 points - 50 each)
3) One substantial final paper based on a final presentation (150 points)
4) Class participation (100 points)
5) WebBoard (100 points)
TOTAL: 500 points
CLASS PAPERS
There will be two short (3-5 page) papers. In addition, there will be a
final term paper of about 20 pages. I will assign paper topics roughly every
week. You may write on any two. However, paper topics do not carry over
beyond the week following the assigment. That is, you cannot submit two
paper assignment in May on the final day of class.
FINAL PAPERS WILL BE DUE NO LATER THAN the end of the term. In
compliance with Graduate school policy, incomplete are given ONLY
in exceptional circumstances.
The following are the tentative readings for Spring term.
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