Classical Social Theory (SOCIOL 2204)

Adaner Usmani | Fall 2020 | Harvard University

Introduction to the formative ideas and socio-intellectual contexts of 19th and early 20th century sociological theory. Course will explore social thought from the perspective provided by the problem of social order - and the roles different thinkers attributed to such factors as solidarity, power, and meaning as solutions to this problem. Consideration of the continuing significance of these ideas for contemporary social thought.

General

Course Overview

Readings

I. PRELIMINARIES

Week 1: What is the Point of Social Science?

Durkheim, The Rules of Sociological Method, Preface to the Second Edition, Chapters 1, 2, 5, and Conclusion

Marx and Engels, The Marx-Engels Reader, "Theses on Feuerbach"

Du Bois, "A Program for a Sociological Society"

Weber, From Max Weber, "Science as a Vocation"

Week 2: Scientific Objectivity

Weber, The Methodology of the Social Sciences, "Objectivity in Social Science"

Reiss and Sprenger, "Scientific Objectivity"

Enoch, "Why I Am an Objectivist About Ethics (And Why You Are, Too)"

Week 3: Why These Theorists? What is Theory, Anyway?

Stinchcombe, "Should Sociologists Forget Their Mothers and Fathers?"

Connell, "Why Is Classical Theory Classical?"

Collins, "A Sociological Guilt Trip"

Abend, "The Meaning of 'Theory'"

King, Keohane, and Verba, Designing Social Inquiry, Chapter 1

Gerring, Social Science Methodology, Chapters 1 and 3

Healy, "Fuck Nuance"

Zalta et al., "Scientific Explanation"

II. ORIGINS

Week 4: What is Modernity?

Christian, Maps of Time, Parts IV and V

Week 5: The Rise of Capitalism

Weber, The Protestant Ethic, Authors’ Introduction, Chapters 1-3, 5

Marx, Capital, Chapters 26-27

Wood, The Origin of Capitalism, pp. 35-43 and Part II

Week 6: Imperialism

Schumpeter, Imperialism and Social Classes, "The Sociology of Imperialisms"

Mann, The Sources of Social Power, Volume 3, Chapters 1 and 2

Marx and Engels, The Marx-Engels Reader, "On Imperialism in India"

Go, "For a Postcolonial Sociology"

Week 7: American Exceptionalism

Tocqueville, Democracy in America, Introduction; Volume I (1835), Chapter 10 ("Some Considerations..." and "Position That the Black Race Occupies...")

Du Bois, Black Reconstruction, Chapters I-III, XIV, and XVI

Karabel, "The Failure of American Socialism Reconsidered"

III. ANATOMY

Week 8: The State

Weber, Economy and Society, Volume 1, Chapter I (Sections 16-17), Chapter III (Sections I, III-V)

Marx and Engels, The Marx-Engels Reader, "The Civil War in France"

Tilly, "War Making and State Making as Organized Crime"

Skocpol, States and Social Revolutions, pp. 24-33

Week 9: Class and Social Conflict

Weber, From Max Weber, "Class, Status, Party"

Marx and Engels, The Marx-Engels Reader, "Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts" ("Preface" and "Estranged Labor")

Marx, Capital, Chapters 12, 16, and Chapter 25 (Sections 1-3)

Sorenson, "Toward a Sounder Basis for Class Analysis"

Wright, "Class, Exploitation, and Economic Rents"

Week 10: Class and Social Order

Durkheim, The Division of Labour in Society, Introduction; Book I, Chapters II-III; Book II, Chapter II; Book III, Chapters I-III; Conclusion

Week 11: Gender

Beauvoir, The Second Sex, Introduction; Part I ("Destiny"); Part V ("Situation"), I-III and VI; Part VII ("Towards Liberation")

Week 12: Race

Du Bois, The Philadelphia Negro, Chapters I-III, XI

Du Bois, Darkwater, Chapter IV

Wilson, Power, Racism and Privilege, Part One

Brubaker, Ethnicity Without Groups, Chapter 1

Week 13: Ideology

Durkheim, The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, Introduction; Book 1, Chapters 1 and 4; Book 2, Chapters 1, 6, and 7; Book 3, Chapter 3; Conclusion