Foundations in Social Theory: The Sociologists of Modernity

This seminar is the first part of a two-course sequence designed to introduce students to sociology through an examination of its theoretical traditions. While both courses are autonomous, together they provide a solid grounding in the discipline and a rigorous training in analytical thought. This course focuses on the sociologists of modernity – Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, and Max Weber. We will read some of their most influential work as well as selections by contemporary theorists. In our exploration of the “classics”, we will balance a close reading of the text with a consideration of the socio-historical context that shaped them. The contemporary readings invite us to engage in dialogue with the “classics” to illuminate the issues of our time. Ultimately, this course will challenge students to think sociologically, and to consider the connection between theoretical knowledge and social change