Professor: Carol Rambo, Ph.D.
Office: Clement 225
Phone: 678-2610, 678-2611 for messages
E-mail: crambo@midsouth.rr.com Best way by far to stay in touch with me!
PURPOSE OF COURSE
The purpose of the course is to lay down a foundational grid-work from which a
seminar participant may extrapolate an overview of the possibilities of
sociology as a discipline, and to provide a sampling of theories from classical
traditional thought up through contemporary thought. There is, regrettably, no
way to acquaint you, in one semester, with all of the possibilities which exist
in sociological theory. Hopefully, as you encounter theory in your substantive
area course work (for example, Deviance, Gender, Family, and Religion), the
foundations acquired in this course will become more clear and solidified.
Likewise, the materials encountered here should aid you in mastering your other
course work. I will spend a great deal of time in this course encouraging you to
move beyond the mere memorization of the content of a theory. Our purpose will
be to learn how to apply the ideas creatively to explain real world experiences,
social facts, and social institutions. Towards this end, emphasis will be placed
on how to write a thesis or a publishable journal article, highlighting theory
as the core organizational scheme.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
#Keep current with the readings.
#Regular attendance and participation in seminar discussions. I keep notes on
each individual.
#One theory lecture for the class.
#Ten short (3-4 page) papers criticizing or applying the ideas in the readings
from the list below. I consider a page to be 250 words. This is typically
accomplished by using a 10 or 12-point font and one inch margins. I will count
off if you are consistently too brief. I reserve the right to retroactively mark
down a paper grade based on being consistently too brief (see comments regarding
folders below). Your final grade will be an average of your best 10 paper
grades. I use the following scale:
A+ = 15 points
A = 14 points
A- = 13 points
B+ = 12 points
B = 11 points
B- = 10 points
C+ = 9 points
C = 8 points
C- = 7 points
Etc.
You must attend class to be permitted to hand in a paper. You may not send it in
with a classmate nor stick it in my box or under my door and expect to receive
credit. You may not attend part of the class and expect to be allowed to hand in
a paper. If you need to leave early once or show up late once, pre-arrange it
with me and/or get me documentation regarding it. I don't mean to be an ogre,
but these things get abused and it is not fair to the students who are working
hard and following the rules.
There is no term paper or final exam. There are a total of 12 opportunities to
do papers. You may choose to do all 12 and take the 10 best grades or hand in 10
only. If you hand in all of your papers before the end of the semester, and have
a satisfactory grade, it is not considered polite to "blow off" your last class
periods and not attend. We love having you present and consider your
contributions to class discussion valuable, particularly if you are bright
enough to finish and make a great grade early.
Very Important: For every paper missing by the final day of class, one letter
grade will be taken off of your final grade. For instance if you have an A+
average, but only handed in 9 papers, you will receive a B+ for the course.
There will be no exceptions to this.
#I request that you purchase a folder with pockets (themes are fine, have fun,
Star Wars, Power Puff Girls, blank is good too) and:
1. Be ready to hand in your current weeks assignment in the left pocket of the
folder.
2. Keep all of your graded papers in the right pocket of the folder. They come
back to me each week I request you hand in all your papers.
I will request the folders at random, not weekly, because I realize you need
time with your papers to digest the feedback. During these random requests I
will look at your over all progress, AND I will check to see if you are
consistently handing in papers that are too brief. For instance, lets say you
handed in 1 paper that was 2.5 pages, but you did a great job. All the rest were
between 3 and 4 pages. I have no interest in counting off for that. If, however,
I notice a pattern whereby you consistently hand in 2.5, 2.7, and an occasional
3 pager, I will go back to those original papers and mark down for it. Always
skating by with only the minimum is not acceptable. These readings are
stimulating enough that you should be able to write volumes and, if anything, we
should have the problem of you writing too much and needing to edit it down to
something manageable.
READINGS
Purchase where you usually buy your books, Campus or Tiger. You may want to
consider going online, as well, to something like Amazon.com. Often Amazon will
ship for free with orders over $25.00. This in no way is an endorsement of the
corporation Amazon.com; I'm just trying to figure out how we can get the job
done without lightening your bank account too much! Students are encouraged to
scheme or otherwise get creative (but not break the law) to obtain their
readings.
Required
#The Discovery of Society, seventh edition, Randall Collins and Michael Makowsky,
Pub. McGraw Hill, ISBN 0-07-011883-3
#Readings in Contemporary Social Theory, Donald McQuarie, Pub. Prentice Hall,
ISBN 0-13-104266-1
#Foucault for Beginners, Lydia Alex Fillingham, Pub. Writers and Readers
Limited, ISBN 0-86316-160-X
#Postmodernism for Beginners, Jim Powell, Pub. Writers and Readers Limited, ISBN
0-86316-188-x
#Derrida for Beginners, Jim Powell, Pub. Writers and Readers Limited, ISBN
0-86316-139-1
# The McDonaldization of Society: Revised New Century Edition, George Ritzer,
Pine Forge Press, ISBN 0-7619-8812-2
#Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity, Erving Goffman, Simon and
Schuster, 0-617-62244-7
#Writing for the Social Scientist, Howard Becker, University of Chicago Press,
ISBN 0-226-04108-5
Not Required Reading/optional (but it may be very helpful for subsequent
assignments).
#The Long Emergency, James Howard Kunstler, Atlantic Monthly Press, ISBN
0-87113-888-3
VERY TENTATIVE CLASS OUTLINE
Can and often is changed at Professor's Discretion – your absence does NOT
constitute an excuse for not being up on the readings!!! Meanwhile, it is my
intent to keep everyone updated through email.
August 30th
#Discuss Class structure.
#Discuss writing.
#What is Sociology? What is Theory? What role does theory play in Sociology?
Expectations?
#Pick a Theorist for your "In Class Lecture" AKA Theory Jam, due in 2 weeks. You
may get started early, but I won't give out the full assignment until next time.
#Watch Movie in Class.
#Don't discuss movie with classmates-- AT ALL. Don't google the movie, yet.
These things will spoil your experience.
HOMEWORK-Paper Opportunity 1.
Write a 3 - 4 page paper that is your reaction to the movie. After you have
written your paper, you may google the movie, and, if you choose, write more.
Come to class next time prepared to discuss it.
September 6th
#More theory discussion.
#Discuss reactions to movie.
#Share papers.
#Flesh out "Theory Jam." Reading James Howard Kunstler's "The Long Emergency,"
may prove useful but in no way is it required.
#Carol gives example.
HOMEWORK- Paper Opportunity 2
1. Create a 30 or so minute talk on your theorist. Create a Handout for your
classmates and me outlining basic terms and concepts and email it to us on or
before September 12th. Leave room on the handout for us to make notes. Use "The
Discovery of Society," or "Readings in Contemporary Social Theory," as resources
for info on your theorist, if applicable. You may use other resources as well.
At the end of your talk, incorporate a discussion regarding how you believe your
theorist would interpret the arguments made in the movie. In other words, how
would your theorist "frame" or apply their ideas to the movie. Does your
theorist have any ideas at all that are useful towards understanding/explaining
the movie?
2. Write a 3 - 4 page paper regarding how your theorist would interpret the
arguments made in the movie. This paper is not due until September 20th.
3. Print and bring handouts to class on September 13th so that you may take
notes while your classmates lecture.
September 13th
Theory Jam
September 20th
Theory Jam
HOMEWORK- Paper Opportunity 3
Read Howard Becker, 1986, "Writing for the Social Scientist" University of
Chicago Press. Write a thoughtful response paper to the book. Consider your two
writing experiences so far, reacting to the movie and writing about the movie
from the point of view of one of your theorists. Were they similar? Different?
Do any of Becker's ideas about writing apply to your experience? Bring 2 copies
of your paper to class, one with your name on it, and one without any
identifiers, if possible. Be prepared to discuss the book and the experience of
writing.
September 27th
Hand in papers in 2 piles. Distribute papers for editing. In class writing
assignment. Discuss writing as cultural transmission, identity claim,
communication, and connection.
HOMEWORK- Paper Opportunity 4
Read "The McDonaldization of Society," and pick one of the following paper
topics:
1. How would Ritzer react to or frame the movie we saw on the first day?
2. How did Ritzer use sociological theory to create and frame his ideas about
McDonaldization?
3. What else has been McDonaldized that Ritzer has not discussed in his book?
Show it applying his arguments. You may take this from your personal experience,
if you like.
4. How might other theorists we have discussed in class so far, react to
Ritzer's concept of McDonaldization?
October 4th
Exploring McDonaldization. Discuss the four homework assignments and the book in
general.
HOMEWORK- Paper Opportunity 5
Seemingly radical shift, but not really. Read "Stigma: Notes on the Management
of Spoiled Identity," by Erving Goffman and the Carol Rambo Ronai and Rabecca
Cross article to be handed out in class. Reading 25 in Donald McQuarie's reader
is optional. Write a paper applying any of these ideas to something you are
aware of or something in your personal life.
October 11th
Explore the idea of identity as something to be negotiated with self and others.
Discuss life history interviewing. Carol bores you with some stuff from her
ancient dissertation or from a current paper she is writing if it is ready at
this time.
HOMEWORK- Paper Opportunity 6
Read Lydia Alix Fillingham, 1993, Foucalt for Beginners. Writers and Readers
Publishing, and Foucault reading from Farganis. Carol needs to hand this one
out. Write an application paper, critique paper, or a compare/contrast paper.
October 18th
Fall break. Me, I'm in Australia unless the Northwest Airline strike screws it
up!!
October 25th
Discussion Topic, "How is Normalcy a tool of oppression?" Foucaulting around in
class. Hand out Carol's stuff on Derrida to be read for next time.
HOMEWORK- Paper Opportunity 7
Read the comic book by Jim Powell, 1997, "Derrida for Beginners." Writers and
Readers Publishing, inc. Read original Derrida at your own risk. Read Carol's
Derrida stuff. Write an application paper, critique paper, or a compare/contrast
paper using Derrida's ideas.
November 1st
Discussion Topic, "Ambiguity, does it make any diff'erance, and other
non-concepts." Again Carol bores you with some stuff she published or from
another current paper she is writing if it is ready at this time.
HOMEWORK- Paper Opportunity 8
Habermas reading, number 14 in Donald McQuarie's reader. Habermas reading
274-281 in "Discovery of Society." Write an application paper, critique paper,
or a compare/contrast paper.
November 8th
Lecture/discussion Habermas and Marcuse (if Marcuse has not been done already).
HOMEWORK- Paper Opportunity 9
Read the comic book by Jim Powell, 1998, Postmodernism for Beginners and Reading
number 38 (Denzin) and 39 (Seidman) in Donald McQuarie's reader.
November 15th
Discussion Topic, "What does decentering Authority mean?"
HOMEWORK- Paper Opportunity 10
Carol needs to hand out readings on Subjectivity, Introspection, etc. Remind me.
Respond to what you read from a theoretical standpoint. Is it science, is it
sociology, is it post modern, does it matter? Do we give a rats heiny?
November 22nd
Discussion Topic, Subjectivity, Introspection, and Autoethnography: Is it
science, is it sociology, is it postmodern, does it matter?
HOMEWORK- Paper Opportunity 11
Create your own artful ethnography. Be sure to incorporate a theory spin.
November 29th
Read/perform your artful ethnography. I promise you, this should be intense!!!
HOMEWORK- Paper Opportunity 12
Will assign in class.
December 6th
Hand in notebooks with all papers. What is Sociology? What is Theory? What role
does Theory play in Sociology? What are your expectations for the role it will
play in your career? In your life?