Introduction to Classical Social Theory Part Two: Classical Social Theory Agenda Objective: To develop an understanding of what social theory is and the questions it attempts to answer. To understand what classical social theory is. Schedule: Go over assignments for this part of the course Social theory activity Social theory discussion Classical theory discussion Homework 1. Country Boys Reflection Due: Thurs 9/20 2. Read “Marx Packet” & keep track of evidence of your work. 3. Critical Thinking Assignments: Due Wed 10/17 4. Marx, Weber, Durkheim Paper: Due Wed 10/24

What is Social Theory?: Activity Put simply: Social theories are ideas about society, social functioning, and social change. To better understand what social theory, we will do the following: We will break up into small groups Each group will be given a large sheet of paper containing one fact about the social world in which we live. With your group, try to develop an explanation for why that fact is true and write it on the bottom of your sheet of paper. Facts: Japan has the highest suicide rate among all of the nations in the developed world. In the United States, on average, women earn 80 cents for every 1 dollar men earn. Approximately half of all students in public high schools in Detroit Michigan drop out. Less than 1% of students at Wellesley High School drop out. As of 2008, only 8% of all marriages in the United States are interracial.

What is Social Theory? Now let’s develop a more precise definition… Social theory is a system of generalized statements or propositions about social phenomena. Social theories do two things: Explain and predict the phenomena in question Produce testable hypotheses Thus where formal social theory departs from the type of theorizing exercise we just did is that formal social theories put forth propositions that extend across societies and across time periods.

What is Social Theory? For example, a long standing social theory predicts that as society becomes more modern, the importance of religion will decline. This theory is not restricted in its scope to any one time period or population. Instead it is a general proposition that can be tested in any society undergoing modernization at any time.

What is Classical Social Theory?: Background Many of the seeds for what would later become sociology were first planted in the Enlightenment (late 1600s to late 1700s). During the Enlightenment, a number of long-standing ideas and beliefs were turned upside down. One of the new ideas introduced was the notion that science and reason could be used to understand both the physical and natural world.

What is Classical Social Theory?: Background The rise of science in turn gave birth to sociology in the mid 1800s. The central idea behind the new discipline of sociology was that society could be the subject of scientific examination just like biological organisms or the physical properties of material objects. In fact, sociology was originally called social physics The goal of early sociologists was to uncover--rationally and scientifically--the laws of the social world.

What is Classical Social Theory?: Background While sociology as a discipline arises out of the Enlightenment it is the changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution (late 1700s to early 1900s) that gave new impetus to the field. The new field of sociology sought to understand the causes and effects of the dramatic economic, social, and political developments occurring during the Industrial Revolution. The writings of these sociologists form the basis of classical theory.

What is Classical Social Theory? Classical social theory refers to the work of early sociologists who sought to understand the revolutionary change occurring in 19th century society. We will read works by three classical social theorists: Karl Marx Emile Durkheim Max Weber Together they form the “trinity” of classical sociological thought. Weber Durkheim Marx

Why Study Classical Social Theory? Many students find it difficult to understand and interpret what classical theorists have to say. Many more wonder what the point is of studying the ideas of old, dead, white guys; how are their ideas relevant to our world today. There are two reasons why studying the works of classical social theorists are important: The ideas articulated by classical theorists lay the foundation of sociology as a discipline. The theories they put forth still guide contemporary theory and research. For example, we are still concerned with the nature of capitalism, the role of authority in social life, the dynamics of gender and racial oppression. The concepts and ideas introduced by classical theorists thus help us to better understand our world today.

Plan for Our Study of the Classical Theorists Discuss assignments and plan of study.