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Section outline
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Welcome to this module of sociological theories
Aims of the module
This module will give you a clear understanding of the ideas and theories that informed the first century and contemporary modern sociological thinking. It will cover the major theories of classical and modern sociology, the individuals who created and promoted them, the historical context in which and from which they emerged, and the specific social phenomena they focused on. The module will examine the shortcomings of each theoretical perspective, while also addressing their applicability in the modern world.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module a student must be capable of:
- Understanding and explaining what are sociological theories
- Distinguishing, list classical theories
- Distinguish and list modern theories
- Applying sociological theories on Rwandan
Indicative content in units
- What is a sociological theory?
- Comte and Spencer
- Marx and Marxism
- Durkheim of social solidarity and integration,
- Max Weber on the origins of capitalism, bureaucracy, authority
- Neo-Functionalist theory
- Neo-Marxian theory
- Symbolic Interactionism theory
- Feminism theory
- Exchange theory.
In this module two lecturers will accompany you
- Jean-Paul Habineza : Tel. 0788642435
- Pierre Céléstin Rutayisire: Tel. 0780439783
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Aim of the topic: Explaining what is a sociological theory
Topic in brief: Within sociology, a theory is a set of statements that seeks to explain problems, actions, or behavior. An effective theory may have both explanatory and predictive power. It can help us see the relationships among seemingly isolated phenomena, and to understand how one type of change in an environment leads to other changes.
Learning outcomes: At the end of this topic you will be able to explain what is a sociological theory and to apply it to Rwandan reality
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Students' understanding evaluation Choice
Read the question carefully and then select the best answer.
Dear student did you understand what is a sociological theory?
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Aim of the topic: Discussing Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer theoretical contribution in sociology
Topic in brief: Early Thinkers-Comte, Martineau, and Spencer: Auguste Comte (1798-1857)coined the term sociology to apply to the science of human behaviour. He believed that a theoretical science of society and systematic investigation of behaviour were needed to improve society. Harriet Martineau (1820-1876) offered insightful observations of the customs and social practices of both her native Britain and the United States. Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) adapted Charles Darwin's evolutionary view of the “survival of thefittest” by arguing that it is “natural” that some people are rich while others are poor.
Learning outcomes: At the end of this topic, you will be able to explain what is the contribution of those early thinkers Comte and Spencer
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Aim of the topic: Exploring Karl Marx contribution to sociological theories
Topic in brief: The analysis of Karl Marx (1818–1883), society was fundamentally divided between classes who clash in pursuit of their own class interests. When Marx examined the industrial societies of his time, he saw the factory as the center of conflict between the exploiters (the owners of the means of production) and the exploited (the workers). In The Communist Manifesto, which first appeared in 1848, Marx and Friedrich Engels (1820–1895) argued that the masses of people (whom they referred to as the proletariat) with no resources other than their labor should unite to fight for the overthrow of capitalist societies.
Learning outcomes: At the end of the unit you will be capable of describing and use the sociological theories by Karl Marx
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Aim of the topic: Emile Durkeim theories
Topic in brief: Émile Durkheim (1858–1917) was appointed as one of the first professors of sociology in France. Above all, Durkheim will be remembered for his insistence that behavior must be understood within a larger social context, not just in individualistic terms. Durkheim concluded that, like other forms of group behavior, religion reinforces a group's solidarity. Another of Durkheim's main interests was the consequences of work in modern societies.
Learning outcomes: At the end of the topic you will be able to apply the theoretical contribution to the analysis of society
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Aim of the topic: Exploring Weber contributions in sociological theories
Topic in brief: Weber (1864–1920), a German sociologist, taught his students that they should use Verstehen, the German word for “understanding” or “insight,” in their intellectual work. To fully comprehend behavior, we must learn the subjective meanings people attach to their actions; how they themselves view and explain their own actions.
Learning outcomes: At the end of this topic, you will be able of applying Max Weber's theory in African context
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Aim of the topic: Exploring the applications of functionalism and neo-functionalism theory
The topic in brief: In the view of functionalists, society is like a living organism in which each part of the organism contributes to its survival. Therefore, the functionalist perspective emphasizes the way that parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability. For over four decades, Harvard University sociologist Talcott Parsons (1902–1979) dominated sociology in the United States with his advocacy of functionalism. Parsons saw any society as a vast network of connected parts, each of which contributes to the maintenance of the system as a whole. Neo-functionalism is the perspective that all integration is the result of past integration. The term may also be used to literally describe a social theory that is "post" traditional structural functionalism.
Learning outcomes of the unit:
- At the end of this topic, you may be able to explain the uses and applications of functionalism theory
- you may demonstrate an understanding of structures and their functions in a society
- You may be able to highlight the early critics on functionalism and their suggestions in neo functionalism
Ressources: Neo-Functionalism
Reading materials attached at the end of the unit
E-tivities:
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Students mustViewMake a choice
Read the question carefully and then select the best answer.
Dear student, did you understand what is Neo-functionalism theory and why it succeded the classical functionalism?
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Aim of the unit: Discussing later Marxian theories of class conflicts
The unit in brief: In the 20th and 21st centuries, a number of sociologists have approached society with a mode of analysis very much influenced by the writings of Karl Marx, however they have gone on to adapt traditional Marxism in various ways. For example, some neo-Marxists share Marx's analysis of capitalism but do not share his belief in a communist revolution. Others (such as Antonio Gramsci or, in recent times, Stuart Hall) emphasise the cultural aspects of class conflict rather than the economic focus of Marx's original writings. Those who have adapted Marx's ideas in these ways are known as neo-Marxists.
Learning outcomes:
- At the end of this topic you may be capable of applying neo-marxian theories on African context
- You may be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the class struggle inline to Marx's theory
Resources: Neo-Marxism
Learning materials are attached at the end of unit
E-tivities
E-tivity 7.1
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Aim of the topic: Explaining the micro-level theory of symbolic interactionism
Topic in brief: Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory that focuses on the relationships among individuals within a society. Communication—the exchange of meaning through language and symbols—is believed to be the way in which people make sense of their social worlds. Theorists Herman and Reynolds (1994) note that this perspective sees people as being active in shaping the social world rather than simply being acted upon.
Learning outcomes:
- At the end of this topic you will be able to explain individual interactions in a given society.
- You may be capable of decoding social interactions and highlight the negotiations behind
Resources: Symbolic interactionism
Learning material attached below
E-tivities
E-tivity 8.1
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Students mustMark as done
Continous assessment on symbolic interactions
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Aim of the topic: Exploring the sociological theory of exchange
Topic in brief: The genesis of social exchange theory goes back to 1958, when American sociologist George Homans published an article entitled “Social Behavior as Exchange.” Homans devised a framework built on a combination of behaviorism and basic economics. In the immediate years that followed, other studies expanded the parameters of Homans’ fundamental concepts.
Social exchange theory is a concept based on the notion that a relationship between two people is created through a process of cost-benefit analysis. It’s a metric designed to determine the effort poured in by an individual in a person-to-person relationship. The measurement of the pluses and minuses of a relationship may produce data that can determine if someone is putting too much effort into a relationship.
Learning outcomes: At the end of the topic you will be able to apply social exchange theory on african realities.
Resources:
Learning material attached below
E-tivities:
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Aim of the topic: Discussing various aspects of feminism theory
The topic in brief: Feminist theory explores both inequality in gender relations and the constitution of gender. It is best understood as both an intellectual and a normative project. What is commonly understood as feminist theory accompanied the feminist movement in the mid-seventies, though there are key texts from the 19th and early to mid-20th centuries that represent early feminist thought. Whereas feminist theories first began as an attempt to explain women’s oppression globally, following a grand theoretical approach akin to Marxism, the questions and emphases in the field have undergone some major shifts.
Learning outcomes:
- At the end of this topic you will be able to apply feminism theory on analysis of gender issues in African context.
- You may be capable of applying feminism perspectives to explain different links in human exploitations
Ressources:
Learning materials attached at the end of unit
E-tivities:
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