SOC 402 Sociological Theory What is Sociological theory

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SOC 402 Sociological Theory What is Sociological theory? When and Where and How did

SOC 402 Sociological Theory What is Sociological theory? When and Where and How did it Develop?

Orientation • • • Who am I? What am I doing here? How did

Orientation • • • Who am I? What am I doing here? How did I get here? Why am I here? So What? What do I do next? • These questions motivate social theory

What is Sociological Theory? • What is sociology? • What is theory? • Why

What is Sociological Theory? • What is sociology? • What is theory? • Why does it develop when and where it does? • When do people ask these questions?

Sociological Theory • sociological theory is – a set of assumptions, assertions and propositions

Sociological Theory • sociological theory is – a set of assumptions, assertions and propositions – organized in the form of an explanation or interpretation – of the nature, form, or content of social action • action that takes others into account

Why did Sociology Develop • When? – Late 19 th century • Where? –

Why did Sociology Develop • When? – Late 19 th century • Where? – Western Europe and U. S. • How? – Protracted revolutionary struggles – Orthogonal debates within sociology • Why? Sociology and the institutional order

National and Regional Effects • Revolution and the instituted social order – Glorious Revolution

National and Regional Effects • Revolution and the instituted social order – Glorious Revolution in England – Protracted French and German struggles • Instituted political debates – British and U. S. : Liberals and conservatives – French and German: Liberals versus reactionaries (Bonaparte and Hitler) • Orthogonal, extra-institutional sociology – Radicals in the U. S. ?

Philosophical and Political Dimensions • Institutionalized political debate – Liberals versus reactionaries – Conservative

Philosophical and Political Dimensions • Institutionalized political debate – Liberals versus reactionaries – Conservative versus liberals • Sociological debate – Radicals versus conservatives – Conservatives versus liberals

Underlying Assumptions Toward Institutional Order optimist pessimist Toward optimist Liberal Radical Common pessimist Conservative

Underlying Assumptions Toward Institutional Order optimist pessimist Toward optimist Liberal Radical Common pessimist Conservative Reactionary People based on Tom Ruth, California Government class, Grossmont J. C. , 1970

Summary • social theory is explanation/interpretation rooted in – underlying assumptions – assertions –

Summary • social theory is explanation/interpretation rooted in – underlying assumptions – assertions – propositions • Sociology develops – In Wake of Revolutionary change – As Orthogonal debate with instituted politics

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