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Intro Soc Theory, FINAL PAPER TOPICS AND INSTRUCTIONS

Prof. Gabe Ignatow

Chilton 397A

Instead of taking the final exam (40%) of your grade, you may choose to write an original research paper. Here are the requirements for the paper:

  1. Due the time and day of the final exam, in the final exam room, or else in my office mailbox on the 3rd floor of Chilton Hall.
  2. Length: 6-7 pages plus 1 or more pages of references
  3. References:
    1. APA or MLA style
    2. Approximately 5 from the course readings, and 5 from other books and articles not read in the course
    3. You should use books or articles, plus not more than one web site
  4. Where to find books and articles on your topic:
    1. Scholar.google.com
    2. http://iii.library.unt.edu/
    3. Sociological Abstracts: UNT Library Home Page à Electronic Resources à Sociological Abstracts
  5. Please discuss the topic with me beforehand, preferably during my office hours.
  6. The paper can be mainly theoretical, or you can discuss a topic of interest to you. You may use a paper from another class as a basis for this paper. However, the paper must be related in some way to some of the theories and authors discussed in class.

Examples of Possible Topics

What is the “function” of functionalist theory? Of any theory?

Did Pierre Bourdieu radically break with the Marxist tradition, as he claims?

Does Marx’s “historical materialism” help us to make sense of the world today?

Why was Marx wrong about the inevitability of Communism?

How did classical sociologists understand urbanization? Were they right?

Is there a “leisure class” in America today? Why or why not?

Does Marx’s theory of religion help us to understand religion in Ameica today? Why or why not?

What were W.E.B. DuBois’s major contributions to sociological theory? Is he still relevant?

What are the main differences and similarities between Berger and Luckmann’s “social constructionism” and Marx’s theory of religion?

Is society evolving? How so?

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fall 2024 sociological theory syllabus

  Introduction to Sociological Theory SOC 3200-1 Fall 2024 MoWed 3:30-4:50PM CURY 210 Aug 21 - Dec 15, 2024 Professor Gabe Ignatow e-mail: ignatow@unt.edu office: LANG 101 office hours: MoWed 2-3:15PM or by appointment by email, or by zoom: https://unt.zoom.us/j/9597397296 Course Description This course provides an introduction to sociological theory from the 1840s to the present day, though it concentrates on the classical era of sociological theory from the Industrial Revolution through World War I. The course provides a foundation for taking 3000- and 4000-level sociology courses, and is intended primarily, although not exclusively, for sociology majors and minors. Course Objectives Use sociological theories to answer questions about social issues from multiple perspectives. Identify theoretical assumptions in lay explanations of social phenomena. Critique sociological theories in terms of their logical structure and explanatory power. Use sociological theories in the design of ...
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