Classical sociology: the foundations and mythologies of social theory

języki obce

Basic knowledge of sociology and/or cultural anthropology.

The course deals with the classical sociological theory as the form of a professional memory and a (supposed?) conceptual foundation of sociology. It puts them in the context of changing sociological theory and the evolution of the dominant vision of this social science from the sociology as the only, truly scientific science of society to the somewhat ironic concept as sociology as a self-reflection of the modern society. The seminar discusses the role of sociological classics as iconic figures personalizing various, contemporary theoretical currents. It touches upon ideas (and reception) of seminal authors who defined sociology as a new social science – from Comte and Spencer to Simmel and Weber. It also deals with a few, exemplary “local classics”, such as Masaryk and Znaniecki.

The course deals with the classical sociological theory as the form of a professional memory and a (supposed?) conceptual foundation of sociology. It puts them in the context of changing sociological theory, its continuity and discontinuities. It also discusses the evolution of the dominant vision of this social science from the sociology as the only, truly scientific science of society to the somewhat ironic concept as sociology as a self-reflection of the modern society. The seminar also concerns the role of sociological classics as iconic figures personalizing various, contemporary theoretical currents. It touches upon ideas (and reception) of seminal authors who defined sociology as a new social science – from the forsaken giants, such as August Comte and Herbert Spencer, through Émile Durkheim to Georg Simmel, Max Weber and his once much more famous colleague Werner Sombart.

A few classes are going to focus on the special case of Karl Marx who was introduced to the pantheon of classics relatively late. The development of idea of sociology in the Communist countries from the Stalinist concept of a “bourgeois pseudo-science” to the post-Stalinist vision of “Marxist” and “bourgeois” sociologies as distinctive sociological traditions. The role of a few, exemplary “local classics”, such as Czech Tomáš G. Masaryk and Polish Florian Znaniecki is going to be discussed as well.

The course has classical form of a teacher-guided discussion on selected topics (and readings). Fifteen meetings, two hours each, are planned. Everyone is expected to read prescribed text before Additionally, every student should prepare a short oral presentation, as well as to prepare for an oral exam (which should refresh previously gathered knowledge only).

Jeffrey Alexander, Structure and Meaning. Rethinking Classical Sociology, Columbia University Press 1989; Raymond Aron, Main Currents in Sociological Thought, vol. 1/2, Penguin Books 1976; Peter Baehr, Mike O’Brien, Founders, Classics, Cannon, „Current Sociology” 1/1994; Craig Calhoun (ed.), Sociology in America. A History, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago–London 2007; Randall Collins, Four Sociological Traditions, Oxford University Press 1994; Lewis A. Coser, Masters of Sociological Thought, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 1971; Dirk Käsler, Max Weber: An Introduction to His Life and Work, University Of Chicago Press; C. Wright Mills (ed.), Images of Man. The Classic Tradition in Sociological Thinking, George Brazilier, Inc. 1960;, George Ritzer, Classical sociological theory, McGraw-Hill 1992; Michael Voříšek, The Reform Generation, Kalich 2012 (and others)

K_W01 Knows and understands basic concepts of various sub-domains of sociology (e.g. sociology of family, health, work, religion, economy, education, etc)

K_W03 Is aware of ongoing theoretical and methodological disputes conducted in modern sociology; is reflective and critical of various positions

K_W05 Has in-depth knowledge about regional, domestic and international institutions and the problem of European integration

K_W16 Has in-depth knowledge about major international and domestic sociological research pertaining to selected areas of social reality or sub-domains of sociology

K_W27 Has in-depth knowledge of the 19th, 20th and 21st ideas and social processes which have shaped the face of the modern world

K_W31 posiada podstawową wiedzę o historii dyscypliny i jej twórcach

K_W33 zna podstawowe założenia i twierdzenia głównych historycznych i współczesnych teorii socjologicznych

K_U04 Can critically select information and materials for academic work, using various sources in Polish and a foreign language as well as modern technologies

K_U16 Knows how to interpret the role of culture in the life of the individual and society

K_U17 Can relate an academic text to the problems of social life and its empirical studies

K_U18 Can identify the kinds of research in which the scientific texts read can be applicable

K_U19 Can prepare a presentation of a selected problem or study in Polish and in a foreign language

K_K01 Can initiate, plan, organize and manage work of a task team

K_K02 Can propose a solution to a problem that requires an interdisciplinary research approach

K_K05 Can gather, find, synthesize and critically assess information about social sciences

K_K07 Can justify the choice of sources

K_K10 Independently sets directions of personal development and further learning

K_K14 Takes responsibility for planned and performed tasks

Assessment of each participant’s individual activity during the classes (carried out by the teacher together with the students at the final meeting) – 55% of the final grade, final oral exam – 45% of the final grade.

Up to two absences are allowed. Those students who have been absent more than twice (but with no more that 40% absences) are expected to prepare and send the teacher short resumes of the main readings they missed. The type and form of second term test are identical with the first one.