Readings

Classical Social Theory: Chapters 4, 6

Contemporary Social Theory: Chapters 4, 10

Class Notes

Description of Exam #3

Part A. All students will answer this question related to Karl Marx (15 points).

• Define these terms as they are used by Marx: means of production, relations of production, alienation, class consciousness.
• Describe dilectical materialism.
• Describe the key perspective by which Karl Marx views society. What do sociologists gain by viewing society from the perspective of Marx?
• Describe one key limitation to the way that Karl Marx views society.

Part B. Students are asked to respond to questions related to two of the following four areas of social thought. Each response will be valued at 15 points.

1. Questions Related to George Simmel.
   • Define these terms as they are used by Simmel: superordinates and subordinates.
   • Describe what Simmel meant by "secret societies."
   • Describe the key perspective by which Georg Simmel views society. What do sociologists gain by viewing society from the perspective of Simmel?
   • Describe one key limitation to the way that Georg Simmel views society.
   
   
2. Questions Related to Coser and Mills.
   • Define these terms as they are used by Coser and Mills: functions of conflict (Coser); sociological imagination (Mills).
   • Describe the terms authority, manipulation, and coercion as they are used by C. Wright Mills.
   • Describe the key perspective by which Coser and Mills view society. What do sociologists gain by viewing society from the perspectives of Coser and Mills?
   • Describe one key limitation to the way that Coser and Mills view society.
   
   
3. Questions Related to Dahrendorf and Collins.
   • Define these terms as they are used by Dahrendorf and Collins: power and authority (Dahrendorf), interaction ritual chain theory (Collins).
   • Describe how Randall Collins views stratification and social change.
   • Describe the key perspectives by which Dahrendorf and Collins view society. What do sociologists gain by viewing society from the perspectives of Dahrendorf and Collins?
   • Describe one key limitation to the way that Dahrendorf and Collins view society.
   
   
4. Questions Related to the Critical Theorists.
   • Define these terms as they are used by the critical theorists: technological rationality (Marcuse), communcation theory (Habermas).
   • Describe how Douglas Kellner views the relationship between media and culture.
   • Describe the key perspective by which the critical theorists views society. What do sociologists gain by viewing society from the perspective of the critical theorists?
   • Describe one key limitation to the way that the critical theorists view society.

Help Session

The help session for this exam is scheduled for Sunday, March 4, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. We will meet on the first floor of East Hall and find an open classroom to hold the help session.

Dr. Sapp's Office Hours are MWF, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., or by appointment. Students are invited to come to the office at any time to discuss the class materials.