Download SOCI 412 A01 Sociological Explanations

SOCI 412 A01 Sociological Explanations ___________________________________________________________________ INSTRUCTOR: Dr. William Little Course Description and Objectives Sociology 412 is a course of study on the philosophical sources of explanation in sociological theory. It is an in‐depth examination of how sociological explanations are created. In this section, students will focus on the connection between the influential trajectory of 20th century French thought (Kojève, Merleau‐
Ponty, Levi‐Strauss, Lacan, Foucault, Derrida and Deleuze) and the corresponding schools and concerns in contemporary sociological theory (Marxism, symbolic interactionism, phenomenology, structuralism and post‐structuralism). A key theme in the course will be to tease apart the relationship between identity, difference, and power that lies behind the difficult task of conceptualizing the emergent forms of social diversity and unity today. Skills Development This course will introduce students to the practice of theoretical research. Familiarity with the philosophical foundations of sociological explanation provides students of sociology a better understanding of the ways in which sociological knowledge is produced, theory is constructed, and method is selected and applied. The course will focus on providing students with the analytical skills to evaluate the different theoretical options available to sociologists. It will also encourage the development of greater analytical writing skills and rigour in the composition of argumentative essays. Required Textbook Vincent Descombes (2001). Modern French Philosophy. Cambridge, Ma.: Cambridge University Press. Supplementary readings will be made available via CourseSpaces. * A more detailed course outline will be distributed to students during the first week of classes.