Introduction

The purpose of this assignment is to learn how to critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of sociological theories. You are asked to write two papers, wherein each paper describes and contrasts two sociological theories.

• Paper #1 will describe and compare one theory from Part 2 (Social Order) and one theory from Part 3 (Conflict and Critique). This paper is due on Friday, March 9th, at 5:00 p.m.
• Paper #2 will describe and compare one theory from Part 4 (Human Agency) and one theory from Part 5 (Social Exchange). This paper is due on Wednesday, April 18th, at 5:00 p.m.

Instructions

All theories in all sciences specify a perspective that guides data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Theories are ways of viewing reality(ies). By definition theories limit their field of vision. Therefore by definition all theories can be critiqued based upon their limited perspective. The scientist must understand each theory in terms of what it offers and what it omits. These two characteristics of theories define the tasks involved in this assignment. You are asked to compare two sociological theories. You will select two theories, present each one on its own merits to describe what it offers, and use the other theory to describe its limitations. The advantages gained from one theory will be used to describe the disadvantages of using the comparison theory. The resulting position paper will describe how the two selected theories complement one another to provide the sociologist with a more thorough understanding of society.

The position paper should be 3-5 pages in length (excluding references), written using the guidelines presented on the web page for Writing Instructions. Biographical information about theorists should not be mentioned unless you clearly link such life events to the theorist's ideas.

Guidelines for Theoretical Writing

Describing and critiquing scientific theory differs somewhat from a critical analysis of literature.

1. Discuss each theorist in her/his own terms:
   • Use the theorist’s vocabulary. For example, when reviewing exchange theory use concepts such as equilibrium, profit, utility maximization, transaction costs and rewards, etc.
   • Omit technical vocabulary other than that of the theorist under discussion. For example, when reviewing exchange theory avoid using concepts such as domination, exploitation, etc.
2. Relate each theorist’s vocabulary according to her/his own logic.
   • The theorist is not responsible for examining her/his assumptions. Assumptions are by definition assumed and are thus never examined empirically. It is your task to make these assumptions explicit even if the theorist does not.
   • By definition, theories do not apply to all social situations. You should specify the conditions under which a theory applies, although one would hope the theorist would be explicit on this topic.
   • To require that a theory is about everything is tantamount to saying, "Yours is not the only theory," or worse, "There is a process so fundamental that any theory should take it into account." Such statements merely reveal your refusal to examine the theory on its terms, and your insistence on examining it only on your own terms.
   • To claim that a theorist is "unclear," you must specify precisely where there is a gap in the theorist’s argument. Otherwise, the lack of clarity may be due to your confusion rather than the theorist’s not having developed her/his ideas sufficiently.
3. Choose pivotal concepts that are addressed in different ways between the theories you are contrasting.
   • Demonstrating contradictions calls for more than merely proclaiming that theories "are contradictory." Instead, you must provide arguments that have the following form: Whereas Theorist A assumes Proposition #1 (e.g., people are fundamentally good), Theorist B assumes Proposition #2 (e.g., people are fundamentally bad). Yet note that if Proposition #1 is true, Proposition #2 must be false. Therefore, this example is one way in which Theorists A and B hold contradictory assumptions.

Summary

The objective of this assignment is to learn how to locate and state the assumptions (or axioms) on which theoretical writings are based and to identify differing assumptions among theories. As preparation for this assignment please make good use of classroom discussions, the group presentations, and your readings.

Thank you to Dr. Carl Roberts for designing this protocol for critically evaluating scientific theories.