Sociology 3210: Sociological Theory
FS 2015
Assignments, Readings, and Course Schedule

Test Information

All students are expected to attend both the Monday and Wednesday class sessions. Students may attend class face-to-face (live in the classroom), live via the Collaborate internet connection, or by reviewing the archived collaborate class sessions each week. See "Attendance" in the syllabus for more information.

Read the assigned text material as early as you can. Review the associated online lecture notes (prior to coming to class--section 001, or attending a Collaborate session (section 001). These notes work best when viewed online. They are web documents with links you can explore for additional information, and to seek further clarification, on selected topics. Develop critical analyses and questions for discussion both in class and via the online discussion forums. There are a variety of resources in the class MyGateway site's "Course Documents" and "External Links" folders to assist you with your self-study.

Readings listed as "Ritzer" are in the main text book, George Ritzer's, "Contemporary Sociological Theory and its Classical Roots." Readings listed as "Readings in Sociological Theory" are in the James Farganis, Readings in Sociological Theory reader, "Readings in Social Theory."

Times and Attendance: Monday and Wednesday 12:30-1:45 PM in 449 SSB. "Internet-Only" students who can't attend the live class sessions (in-person or online via Collaborate) are expected to review both the Monday day AND the Wednesday day Collaborate archives each week for course content and course information. Internet-only students are always welcome to attend the live class--face-to-face or via collaborate. Don't forget your 2, weekly "sign of life (SOL)" postings/comments--part of the participation requirement.
Academic Week
Day
Dates
Times
Topic
Collaborate

Assign. Due
Assignments and Readings Due
(readings should be completed prior to class on day listed)
1
Mon
Aug 24
see above
Introduction and Overview
y
.. ... ........ . ...
Introduction and class overview. Read syllabus and review the class MyGateway site
Wed
Aug 26
see above
What is Theory? Emile Durkheim: Social Solidarity
y
  .  .. 
 What is Theory? Ritzer chapter 1 and 2; Readings in Sociological Theory (Introduction) pages 1-26.
2
Mon
Aug 31
see above
Emile Durkheim: Social Solidarity
y
Introduction due (along with first SOL) by 12:00 Noon  .  ..
Ritzer chapter 2; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 55-80.
Wed
Sept 2
see above
Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx: Anomie and Alienation
y
Wiki Lab
Fri
Sept 4
5:00 PM
Syllabus quiz
n
Syllabus quiz due
Complete syllabus quiz
3
Mon
Sept 7
see above
No Class: Labor Day
y
No Class
 Labor Day Holiday: No Class
Wed
Sept 9
see above
Karl Marx: Alienation and Capitalism
y
Personal wiki page due
  • Ritzer chapter 2; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 29-54. Personal wiki page due by 11:59 PM.
  • Be sure to complete the "Email Feedback Consent." You can find the email feedback consent "test" in the "Assignments" area of MyGateway. Until you give consent, you will have to visit Prof. Keel or a TA to receive full feedback on your wiki work.
4
Mon
Sept 14
see above
Max Weber and the Rationalization of Society
y

SOL

 Ritzer chapter 2; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 81-108.
Wed
Sept 16
see above
Review
y
.  ..

Ritzer chapters 1-2; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 1-108.
5
Mon
Sept 21
see above
Simmel: Space, Form, and Distance and Last day to withdraw without receiving a grade
y
1st Wiki Contribution Due and SOL
Wed
Sept 23
see above

Veblen: Conspicuous Consumption and DuBois: Critical Race Theory
.y
Wiki Lab
 Ritzer chapter 3; We'll also spend time working on the Sociological Theory Wiki Project. Readings in Sociological Theory pages 403-434.
6
Mon
Sept 28
see above
Mead: Mind, Self, and Society
y
Comments on 1st wiki due and SOL
 Ritzer chapter 3; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 125-138.
Wed
Sept 30
see above
Structural-Functionalism
y
.  ..
 Ritzer chapter 4; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 141-178.
7
Mon
Oct 5
see above 
Conflict Theory and General Systems Theory
y
SOL.
 Ritzer chapter 4; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 179-216.
Wed
Oct 7
see above
Neo-Marxism
y
.. ... ........ . 
 Ritzer chapter 5; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 303-331.
8
Mon
Oct 12
see above
Elias, Habermas, and Giddens
y
SOL
 Ritzer chapter 5; Readings in Sociological Theory
Wed
Oct 14
see above
Review
y
Mid-Term Exam opens
The Mid-Term Exam covers Ritzer chapters 1-5, Readings in Sociological Theory pages 1-216, 303-331, and 403-434.
Thur
Oct 15
11:59 PM
2nd Wiki Contribution Due
n
2nd Wiki Contribution Due
Wiki contribution due by 11:59 PM.
9
Mon
Oct 19
see above
Theories of Everday Life
y
SOL
 Ritzer chapter 6; Readings in Sociological Theory page 271-302
Tue
Oct 20
11:59 PM
Mid-Term Exam Due
n
Mid-Term Exam Due
 Mid-Term Exam Due, end of day.
Wed
Oct 21
see above
Dramaturgy and Ethnomethodology
y
Comments on 2nd wiki due
 Ritzer chapter 6; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 247-270
10
Mon
Oct 26
see above
Ethnomethodology and RCT
y
Wiki Lab and SOL
Wed
Oct 28
see above
Exchange Theory, and Integrated Exchange Theory
y
.  ..
 Ritzer chapters 6 and 7; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 217-246.
11
Mon
Nov 2
see above
Structuration, Habitus and Field
y
SOL
 Ritzer chapter 7. Readings in Sociological Theory
Wed
Nov 4
see above
Feminist Theories
y
Wiki Lab
12
Mon
Nov 9
see above
Feminist Theories
y
SOL
 Ritzer chapter 8; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 359-402.
Wed
Nov 11
see above
Review
y
.  ..
Review
Thur
Nov 12
11:59 PM
 3rd Wiki Contribution Due
n
 3rd Wiki Contribution Due
Wiki contribution due by 11:59 PM
13
Mon
Nov 16
see above
Post-Modern Society? and Last Day to Withdraw
y
SOL 
Wed
Nov 18
see above
Post-Modernism
y
Comments on 3rd wiki due
 Ritzer chapter 9; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 331-356.
November 21-29: Fall Break--Happy Thanksgiving
14
Mon
Nov 30
see above
Consumer Society
y
SOL
 Ritzer chapter 9; Readings in Sociological Theory pages 435-451.
Wed
Dec 2
see above
Consumer Society and Globalization Theory
y

  .  ..

 Ritzer chapters 9 and 10. Readings in Sociological Theory and pages 435-451.
15
Mon
Dec 7
see above
Globalization Theory and Wiki Work
y
Wiki Lab and SOL
 Ritzer chapter 10. Readings in Sociological Theory. We'll be working on the Sociological Theory Wiki Project.
Wed
Dec 9
see above
Review
y

Final Exam opens

 Ritzer chapters 1-10. Readings in Sociological Theory (all).
Thur
Dec 10
11:59 PM
4th Wiki Contribution Due
n

4th Wiki Contribution Due

 Wiki contribution due by 11:59 PM.
16
Sun
Dec 13
11:59 PM
Discussion Forums Close--all attendance must be finalized. Comments on other students' fourth wiki contribution due, too
   .  ..
Comments on 4th wiki due final SOL due
 Discussion Forums Close for the semester. And, your comments on other students' 4th wiki contributions are also due--all by end of the day.
Thur
Dec 17
11:59 PM
Final Exam Due
  .  ..
Final Exam closes
Last day to take the Final Exam--due end of the day. The Final Exam covers chapters 6-10, as well as the key concepts and theories focused on throughout the semester.

Wiki lab: We'll be spending the majority of time working on the Sociological Theory Wiki Project. Online (live) students are welcome to join in the sessions (any student is always welcome to attend the live sessions--online or in-class. For the labs, we will be using the computer stations in the classroom. Those viewing the archives should review at least the first few minutes of the archive--I'll give instructions for their individual contributions.

End of day: Unless otherwise posted, assignments are due by the end of the day listed: 11:59 PM (23:59). Students who submit work past a due date are subject to penalties, point deductions, or not having their work accepted for grading.


URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/3210/3210assignments.html
Owner: Robert O. Keel rok@umsl.edu
Last Updated: Monday, June 22, 2015 8:08

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