Course Code and Title: SOS 304-Contemporary Sociological Theories I

Course Type: Compulsory

Course Level: Undergraduate

Year and Semester: Third Year, Spring

Course Length: One semester

Prerequisite(s): None

Language of Instruction: Turkish

Course Credits: 3 0 3                             

ECTS Credits: 6

Instructor: Dr. Nilüfer Özcan Demir

Course Contents: In this course, after the general frames of structural functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism are put forward, the basic acceptances of every contemporary sociological theory are discussed within the context of every theory’s representative theoretician. In this context, each theoretician is analyzed in the context of the model he/she has formed in the framework of the fundamental assumptions on the nature of individual, society and theory, during the lesson in which associated theory is discussed.

Course Objectives: By the course on Contemporary Sociological Theories, given as of the spring and autumn semesters, the undergraduate students of Sociology department primarily have the knowledge of contemporary sociological theories and these theories’ representative theoreticians. Throughout the course, students get the comprehension of fundamental theories (that are structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism) and their theorists’ fundamental concepts and viewpoints about society and individual along with the historical period they lived in. Realizing all aspects of each theory through each theory’s representative figure, students interpret these perspectives with a comparative point of view. As a result, by means of the theoretical models of varied theories, students have the ability of making projection on the societal.

Teaching Method: Lecturing and discussion

Assessment Method: Written examination (two exams 50% and final exam (50%))

Recommended Reading:

Poloma, M.  (1993) Çağdaş Sosyoloji Kuramları (Trans.H.Erbaş) Ankara: Gündoğan Yay.
Wallace Ruth; A.Wolf (2004) Çağdaş Sosyoloji Kuramları (Trans: L. Elbruz ve R.Ayas), İzmir: Punto yayıncılık
Larson, Calvin J. (1977) Major themes in sociological theory, D. McKay New York Wallace,
Ritzer, George (1996) Modern Sociological Theory, Fourth Ed., McGraw-Hill İnt. Edit. Part II, 93-347
Best, Shaun (2003) A beginners guide to Social Theory, Sage Pub. Parts 1,2,3,