166-087 Sociological Theory

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Usually two First Year Sociology subjects.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject provides students with the opportunity to explore both classical and contemporary sociological theory, and to critically analyse how those theories attempt to explain social relations. It examines the development of sociological theories which seek to explain questions of power, structure and agency in contemporary societies. As the subject proceeds, students will examine how researchers construct, evaluate, and modify theory to respond to empirical evidence. In this way, it should become evident that sociological theory is a constantly evolving phenomenon which responds to transformations in social relations and experience. Students have the opportunity to explore one or more theoretical approaches in depth through a research paper in which they engage with theory in the context of a contemporary sociological issue of their choice.

Assessment

Two classpapers of 500 words and a research paper of 3000 words.

Prescribed Texts

• S Seidman, Contested Knowledge. Social Theory in the Postmodern Era. Blackwell 1998.