136-251 Theoretical Foundations of Sociology

Note

Available as 136-351 at 3rd-year level.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Normally 12.5 points of first-year Arts.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject is primarily concerned with the ideas about society that have anchored the disciplines of sociology and social theory in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. it critically assesses these ideas through an examination of the works of key social theorists. Students completing this subject should have: developed an understanding of the central ideas of key thinkers in the social-theoretical tradition, among them, Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel and Freud; developed an understanding of some central issues and themes about society such as power, culture, structure and self through a critical engagement of the work of these thinkers.

Assessment

A literature review, or class paper and one essay together totalling 5000 words.