Internal Links
  University of Virginia at Wise
1 College  Ave., Wise, Virginia, 24293-0016
  Soci 420:  Modern Sociological Theory
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 1. Course Information:  Summarizes the courses number, time, room, etc.  
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 2. Course Description:  The description of the course from the College Catalogue  
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 3. Course Objectives:  Summarizes the objectives of the course  
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 4. Course Format:  Summarizes the manner is which the course is run  
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 5. Books:  Lists the book required for the course  
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 6. Evaluation:  Summarizes the number & nature of exams & other assignments  
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 7. Assignment Weighting: discusses the value of each test & course assignment toward your grade  
          7.1.  Grade Calculation:  Demonstrates how to calculate your grade
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  8. Course Outline & Review Notes List:  outlines the schedule of the chapters covered, test dates, etc.
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  9. Grading scale:  Lists the 90, 80, etc. grade scale used in the course
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  10. Extra credit:  Explains the possibility & procedure for attempting extra credit
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  11. Late policy:  Summarizes the policies for absences, tardies, etc.
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  12. Make-ups:  Summarizes the procedures to follow for making up a missed assignment
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  12.1. Make-up form:  This form must be filled out by the student if she/he wishes to make up an assignment
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  13. Mentoring:  Professional collegiality
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  14. Office hours:  Lists when I am in my office & the time of all my courses
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  15. In-class projects:  Summarizes how in-class assignments are conducted
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 16. Other Assignments: Your writing assignments in this theory course are a Preface to your Capstone Project
 
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 a. The Draft Proposal:  In the Draft Proposal you are to pick your topic and make a proposal on what your topic, or area of interest is, as well as a research question developed from that area of interest. 
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 b. The Literature Review:  The purpose of the Lit Review is to put together a narrative (a story) that explains how the works you have read lead you to your research question, and what questions are left unanswered by the literature. 
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 c. The  Informed Consent Document:
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 d. The HIC Approval Form, less the Survey
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 e. The Term Presentation:  You are to transform your Lit Review & Term Paper into an oral presentation,  & present it to the class. 
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 f.  Term Paper:  The Student is to write a HIC Protocol Document based on academic research in order to develop an area of expertise as a foundation for the Senior Thesis, to be completed in the Capstone Course
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 g.  The  HIC Protocol Document: 
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  See Also:   
  -  Dr. W's Webpage
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  -  Courses Information Webpage
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  -  In-Class Projects
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  -  Review Questions
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  -  Resources 
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  -  Supplements
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  -  Soci 420 Classic Sociological Theory:
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  -  Soci 430:  The Project of Sociology:  The Sociology Capstone Course
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  -  Outline on the HIC Forms
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  -  Presentation Questions
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1. Course Info
Professor 
   Dr. Patrick Withen 
Course Location 
  Smiddy Hall  100A
Department 
   Social & Behavioral Sciences
Office Phone 
   276-376-4526
Course Number 
   Soci 420
Email 
   pwithen@virginia.edu
 Office Location  & Hours 
   209  Smiddy Hall
Fax 
   276-328-0247
Course Time 
   MWF   12:00 -12:50     Block  V
Dr. W's Webpage 
  http://people.uvawise.edu/pww8y
Credits 
   3
Linda Meade, Dept. Secretary 
   242 Smiddy         276-328-0185

 
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       2. Description:  The description of the course from the College Catalogue.  Prerequisite:  Soci 110 or permission of instructor
       Introduction to the meaning of sociological theory and the principle modern theorists, including C. Wright Mill, Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton, George Herbert Mead, Anthony Giddens, Jurgen Habermas, Michel Foucault, and others.
       Expanded Description ( Not in the catalogue):  Introduction to the meaning of sociological theory and the principle modern theorists.  Also included in this course is a brief review of the classical theorists including Auguste Comte, Karl Marx Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber.  The modern theorists explored include Herbert Spencer, Robert Park, Pitirim A. Sorokin, C. Wright Mills, Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton, Jeffrey Alexander, Immanuel Wallerstein, George Herbert Mead, Erving Goffman, George Homans, Peter Blau, Richard Emerson, James Coleman, Jessie Bernard, Dorothy Smith, Randall Collins, Norbert Elias, Pierre Bourdieu, Anthony Giddens, Jurgen Habermas, Michel Foucault, George Ritzer, and others. 
       The concept of the ideological frame of theory is essential for understanding theory as developed in this course.  The course is an examination of sociological thought as developed in its socio-historical context.  While traditionally the focus of such a course is on male, European thought, this tradition is itself an object of study of the course.  Thus non-male, non-Europeans are also explored.   Theory is seen as much pure knowledge as it is a reaction or reflection of present and past social forces.  While academe and theorists in general often glorify objectivity and the isolated, “ivory tower” in which the work of theorizing is done, the course will show that despite these claims, theory is itself surrounded and interwoven with the concerns of everyday life and is as much a political, social, historical, economic, and gendered product as is the most bold political platform or interest group treatise. 
       While many have decried such a view of theory as an inevitable slide into the relativistic abyss, theory as explored here is seen as having important applications to the issues of the day. 

 
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3. Objectives:  Summarizes the objectives of the course.  Upon completion of the course, the student will understand and be able to:
  1. describe the process of theory development.
  2. understand the nature of micro, middle, grand, and meta-theory.
  3. the uses of theory in sociology, in other academic disciplines, and in everyday life.
  4. describe and apply the elements of theory, including concepts, variables, theoretical statements, and models.
  5. assess a theory. 
  6. formulate a theory.
  7. explain how social change has come about as a result of population and other demographic changes, urbanization, & the social movements.
  8. explicate and critique the early years of sociological theory
  9. explicate and critique the later years of sociological theory
  10. explicate and critique structural functionalism, neofunctionalism, and conflict theory
  11. explicate and critique the varieties of neo-Marxian theory
  12. explicate and critique symbolic interactionism
  13. explicate and critique ethnomethodology
  14. explicate and critique exchange, network, and rational choice theories
  15. explicate and critique contemporary feminist theory
  16. explicate and critique the integration of micro and macro theory
  17. explicate and critique the integration of agency and structure in sociological theory
  18. explicate and critique contemporary theories of modernity
  19. explicate and critique structuralism, post-structuralism, and post-modern social theory
  20. understand the value of their own power of effective, reading.
  21. understand the value of their own power of effective, written communication.
  22. understand the value of their own power of effective, oral communication.
  23. understand the value of their power of effective, creative thinking.
  24. understand the value of their own power of making ethical choices.

 
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4. Format:  Summarizes the manner is which the course is run:  The course is organized as a seminar, emphasizing the readings and discussion.  Students are expected to assist in creating a collegial, professional setting similar to one they will find in their career.  This may be done by completing all readings in advance and coming prepared to discuss and analyze the issues presented in the readings.   At times, formal discussion teams will be organized around specific issues as In-Class Projects.  After discussion and analysis, the teams report back to the class.  Students may be asked to perform as professionals in the roles of decision-maker, team leader, facilitator, editor and various resource specialists from a variety of disciplines.  When  an assignment is given by the Professor, the team is to solve the problem and present their solution to the class. 
       Presentations will be held on the social issues and problems examined in the course. You must complete a Draft Proposal and a Final Proposal, which essentially help you focus on a topic and a thesis, for the Presentation.  Details on this and other assignments can be seen below:  Other Assignments Overview
       Exams will be objective in nature:  multiple-choice, true-false, fill-in-the-blank, completions, short-answer. 
       Students are expected to take time to stay informed on the news and current events of the day in order to enhance their ability to analyze the social problems examined in class.
        Your writing assignments in this theory course are a Preface to your Capstone Project. Your written & oral assignments discussed below, are in effect, preparation for your Capstone Project in Sociology.  Thus, you are to pick a broad area of interest in sociology, and do basic background research in that area  so that you become an expert in that field. You are developing an area of expertise.      When you take the Capstone Course next term, you will incorporate this work into the development of your Capstone Project.  For the Capstone Project, you will start from your area of expertise and develop and implement a research project.  The focus will be on actual research, analysis of that research, and the reporting of that research.
        Thus, this theory based term project is to prepare you for doing actual research in the field.  To that end, you pick your topic, do academic/ library research on that topic, and analyze or discuss important questions or areas of concern that you find in the literature.   Each of these assignments is discussed below.  The topic may be drawn from the course work and should parallel the curriculum. Your proposals, term paper & presentation should be more than a description of an issue, merely listing facts and figures.  The objective is to analyze a situation in sociological terms and then demonstrate how a sociological perspective/theory explains the situations and offers a solution or direction for social change.
       See the other sections of this syllabus for further discussion of these course requirements.

 
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       5. Books & materials:  Lists the book required for the course.  The following book is available at the book store:  Ritzer, George. Modern Sociological Theory, fifth edition.  McGraw Hill, 2003.
        There are materials available on reserve in the library & on the internet in the Methods Webpage of the Supplements section of the Dr. W's Website.  These materials may assist the student in formulating her / his topic for their Senior Thesis Term Paper.  It is suggested that students retain & utilize several textbooks:   Intro to Sociology,  Social Problems, Statistics, & Methods. 
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  Go to the Methods Supplements Webpage under the Supplements Webpage
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       6. Evaluation:  Summarizes the number & nature of exams & other assignments   EXAMS:  There will be two chapter exams & the final exam.  The final will be comprehensive.  Exams may include any of the following types of questions:  multiple-choice, true-false, fill-in-the-blank, completion, and short-answer type questions.  Save all reviews, in-class projects, & other materials handed out in class since they are fair game for exams and the final.  Questions may be derived from any material presented in class.  Please include the Honor  Code, in full, on all assignments, exams, in-class projects, EVERYTHING.

 
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7. Assignment weighting: Discusses the value of each test & course assignment toward your grade
Assignment
Weight
% Grade you earned
Your weighted Average
Exam One
5 %
    
Draft Proposal
5 %
 
 
Literature Review
15 %
 
 
Informed Consent Document
5 %
    
Exam Two
10 %
    
HIC Approval Form, less the Survey
5 %
 
 
Term Presentation
5 %
 
 
Term Paper
15 %
 
 
HIC Protocol Document
5 %
 
 
Final Exam
20 %
 
 
In-class projects, quizzes
10 %
 
 
Total
100 %
 
 
How to calculate your grade
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16. Other Assignments: 5 writing & oral assignments are required for this Theory Course as a Preface to Your Capstone Project
          a.  The Draft Proposal
          b.  The Literature Review
          c.  The Informed Consent Document
          d.  The HIC Approval Form, less the Survey
          e.  The Term Presentation
           f.  The Term Paper
           f.  The HIC Protocol Document
        Each is discussed in detail below & on related Webpages

 
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a.  The Draft Proposal:   In the Draft Proposal you are to pick your topic and make a proposal on what your topic, or area of interest is, as well as a research question developed from that area of interest.       Each student shall write a Draft Proposal 
           Length:        2 pages for full credit; 3 max
           Due Date:  See the syllabus section above:      6. Course Schedule, Test Dates & Other Assignment Due Dates 
           Bibliography:  optional
        In the Draft Proposal you are to pick your topic and make a proposal on what your topic, or area of interest is, as well as a research question developed from that area of interest. 
        See the Webpage on the Draft Proposal for more information & requirements
       While developing your Thesis in the Draft Proposal, the Final Proposal, & the Term Paper, you are to focus primarily on the Types of Analysis that are useful for Library Academic Research.  Thus, in the Theory Course Term Paper you are to write a Lit Review & utilize a Socio-historical Analysis & two other types of analysis such as a comparative or a SWOT analysis.  However, remember, this Thesis & Term Paper is a preface to your Sociological Capstone Course where you will add to the thesis as necessary to conduct Field Research in the Form of a Survey, an Interview & at least one other type of Field Research.  Thus, it is in your interest to write a Thesis, here, that is compatible w/ the goals of the Sociological Capstone Course & Field Research.   See the Sociological Capstone Course Syllabus for more details. 

 
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b.  The Literature Review   The purpose of the Lit Review is to put together a narrative (a story)  that explains how the works you have read lead you to your research question,  and what questions are left unanswered by the literature.   To do this you must be familiar w/ the literature in your area. 

Length:       One & three quarters pages for each of the 6 resources you review for a total of 10 pages for full credit at 300 words per page yields 3000 words
Due Date:  See the syllabus section above:      6. Course Schedule, Test Dates & Other Assignment Due Dates
Bibliography:  required

Each Lit Review is to consist of the following sections

Begin w/ a full bibliographic citation
Label the following four sections:  Summary, Evaluation, Linkage to Other Sources, & Importance
The summary should be 3/4 of a page, & the other three sections should each be 1/3 of a page; thus each reveiw should be approximately  1 3/4 pages
Bibliography

See the Webpage on the Literature Review for more information & requirements


 
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c.  The Informed Consent Document:  The Student shall use the template from the Informed Consent Document, as found on the Resources Webpage, to prepare to do a research project

 
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d.  The HIC Approval Form, less the Survey:  The Student shall use the template from the HIC Approval Form, as found on the Resources Webpage, to apply to the Human Investigations Committee for permission to do a research project

 
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e.  The Term Presentation   In the Term Presentation you are to transform your Lit Review & Term Paper into an oral presentation,  & present it to the class.          Length:               10-15-20  minutes ( Does not include question & answer period )
         Bibliography:    minimum  5 scholastic references
         Due Date:          See the syllabus section above:      6. Course Schedule, Test Dates & Other Assignment Due Dates
       See the Webpage on the Term Presentation for more information
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 See the Webpage on the  Presentation Questions for more information
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f.  The Term Paper:  The Outline on the Term Paper, below, summarizes what is required on the Term Paper in this Theory Course, & what will be completed in the Capstone Course.  The major focus of this assignment should be to provide the Rationale for doing the proposed research.
 
  See Also:  The Term Paper
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         Length:             25 pages in the body  (not including table contents, Lit Review, biblio, etc.) 
                                    Those Page Requirements in BOLD indicate where the 25 pages are found in the assignment
         Bibliography:  minimum  10 scholastic references from your Lit Review
         Due Date:        See the syllabus section above:      6. Course Schedule, Test Dates & Other Assignment Due Dates
 
 
20. Outline on the  Term Paper Assessment
Indicates the Sections of the Term Paper that are Required for this Theory Course, & those Sections that will be completed in the Capstone Course
Approximate
Page
Requirement
1. Title Page
Reequired
1
2. Table of Contents
Required
1
3. Thesis statement or hypothesis
Required
1/4
4. Introduction & summary
Required
2
5. Body
NA
  
    5.1.  Literature Review 
Required, but is first written as a separate paper, 
then integrated into the Term Paper
10
    5.2.  Methods
State in a concise paragraph that you used library research, & then use the Consent Form document as a template for this section
1
    5.3.  Summary of Results/Data
NA
  
    5.4.  Analysis / Discussion
NA 
  
            a. Other Subsections based on Topics           or
Required
  
            b. Other Subsections based on Types of Analysis
NA
  
                 i.  Socio-historical analysis 
Required
5
                 ii. Other Type of Analysis:  Narrative, Descriptive,
                            etc.  ( required )
Required to use 2 or more of these types of analysis
10
                 iii.  Data Analysis if Primary Data Collection 
                       was conducted    ( required in Capstone )
NA
  
                      a)  Statistical Analysis, if utilized
NA
  
                      b)  Other type(s) of analysis, if utilized
NA
  
                 iv.  Expectations for the Future  ( required )
Required
3
                 v. Recommendations of Social Policy ( required )
Required
3
6.  Summary & Conclusion 
Required
2
7.  Appendices
Optional
  
8.   Bibliography 
Required
1


 
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g.  The HIC Protocol Document:  See the HIC Protocol Document in the TM Resourcese Section.  Each student shall write an application to the Human Investigations Committee for a Research Project.  The HIC Protocol Document has sections such as the Rationale for the Proposed Study Section, the Thesis Section, & the Literature Review Section, which may be best addressed through a term paper format.  To achieve this goal, the student should follow the formats of the HIC Protocol Document & the Term Paper Webpage, both of which are found below. 

For the Rationale for the Study sectio of the HIC Protocol Document, take the introduction / summary from your term paper & adapt it as a rationale for your study. 
 
  See Also:  The HIC Protocol Document
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