What is Sociological Theory?What is Sociological Theory?Why do we need it? Why do we need it? 1/131/13

Every reputable sociology Every reputable sociology department requires at least one department requires at least one course in theory, course in theory, • butbut there is great disagreement about there is great disagreement about

what must go into such a course.what must go into such a course. Every piece of sociological research Every piece of sociological research

needs some kind of theoretical point,needs some kind of theoretical point,• butbut there is great variation about what there is great variation about what

that point or motivation consists of.that point or motivation consists of.

What is Sociological Theory?What is Sociological Theory? There are at least three distinct conceptions of There are at least three distinct conceptions of

theory:theory:• 1. The tradition -- Great figures such as Marx.1. The tradition -- Great figures such as Marx.• 2. Extensions and foundations of methods.2. Extensions and foundations of methods.• 3. Findings: the consolidation of what we know3. Findings: the consolidation of what we know

Each of the parts of Each of the parts of One WorldOne World concentrates on concentrates on one of these three conceptions.one of these three conceptions.

They are complementaryThey are complementary• Central idea: Theory ResearchCentral idea: Theory Research• Theory without data is blind.Theory without data is blind.• Data without theory is dumb.Data without theory is dumb.

Why do we need theory?Why do we need theory?

Without theory, what we find in one Without theory, what we find in one area has no relevance to what we area has no relevance to what we find in another. I.e.find in another. I.e.1. No theory, no science1. No theory, no science

2. No theory, no hypotheses to test2. No theory, no hypotheses to test

3. No theory, no cumulation of 3. No theory, no cumulation of knowledgeknowledge

The interrelation of theory and The interrelation of theory and research can be viewed as a logic research can be viewed as a logic of question and answer. of question and answer.

The structure of the course:The structure of the course:

The connection of theory to researchThe connection of theory to research• Theory motivates and guides researchTheory motivates and guides research• Research answers theoretical questions Research answers theoretical questions

Every student chooses a substantive Every student chooses a substantive research hypothesis at the beginning research hypothesis at the beginning • Every class must be related to that thesisEvery class must be related to that thesis• Make a provisional choice by 1/17Make a provisional choice by 1/17• The final (though revisable choice) is 1/24The final (though revisable choice) is 1/24

Course requirementsCourse requirements

Grades:Grades:• Class participationClass participation 20%20%• Three draftsThree drafts 30%30%• Mid-term examMid-term exam 10%10%• Final examFinal exam 10%10%• Final ProjectFinal Project 30%30%

The two exercisesThe two exercisesTwo bases of theory researchTwo bases of theory research

Exercise #1 (1/31) uses an Exercise #1 (1/31) uses an Annual Annual Review of SociologyReview of Sociology article to article to consolidate a stream of theory and consolidate a stream of theory and research in a “Review of the literature.”research in a “Review of the literature.”

Exercise #2 (3/26) uses a Microcase Exercise #2 (3/26) uses a Microcase data analysis to test a portion of the data analysis to test a portion of the theory.theory.• Every student must purchase the current Every student must purchase the current

microcase and archivemicrocase and archive

First steps:First steps: Look over the work sheet to Discussion #1 Look over the work sheet to Discussion #1

(1/24) tonight. (1/24) tonight. The two crucial elements: The two crucial elements: 1.1. find an article in the current issues of the find an article in the current issues of the

journals of record (AJS, ASR, ST) with an idea journals of record (AJS, ASR, ST) with an idea relevant to your thesis.relevant to your thesis.

2.2. Get microcase and use General Social Get microcase and use General Social Survey data to operationalize an empirical Survey data to operationalize an empirical hypothesis relevant to your thesis. hypothesis relevant to your thesis.

Email me the topic, the idea, and the cross-Email me the topic, the idea, and the cross-tabulation by Monday 1/20tabulation by Monday 1/20

The workbookThe workbook

Use any form of workbook you like Use any form of workbook you like with 4 sections for:with 4 sections for:

1.1. Applications of 9 theorists to your topic Applications of 9 theorists to your topic based on each week’s reading.based on each week’s reading.

2.2. Substantive empirical and library Substantive empirical and library research on your paperresearch on your paper

3.3. Notes from classes and work sheets Notes from classes and work sheets from the 7 group discussionsfrom the 7 group discussions

4.4. The three drafts and two exercisesThe three drafts and two exercises

The DiscussionsThe Discussions

Every student must come to all 7 Every student must come to all 7 discussionsdiscussions• If you believe you will miss one, you If you believe you will miss one, you

must tell me at the beginning so that I must tell me at the beginning so that I do not put you in any group. (I do not do not put you in any group. (I do not advise this.)advise this.)

• But if you stand up your group But if you stand up your group for any for any reasonreason you will loose a great deal of you will loose a great deal of creditcredit

The contractThe contractYou may, but you do not have to, contract for C or better by handing in You may, but you do not have to, contract for C or better by handing in all the work early, coming to all classes and doing what you are told.all the work early, coming to all classes and doing what you are told.

You agree to:You agree to: 1. Come to class every day.1. Come to class every day. 2. Do the reading and 2. Do the reading and

workbook writing on time.workbook writing on time. 3. Hand in the exercises to 3. Hand in the exercises to

me before entering them.me before entering them. 4. Hand in the 3 drafts each 4. Hand in the 3 drafts each

early, so that I have time to early, so that I have time to tell you to fix any problems.tell you to fix any problems.

5. Ask me if you have any 5. Ask me if you have any questions.  questions.  

6. Do what I tell you.6. Do what I tell you.

I agree to:I agree to: 1. Keep track of how you are 1. Keep track of how you are

doing.doing. 2. Let you know how you are 2. Let you know how you are

doingdoing 3. Give you extra feedback 3. Give you extra feedback

on your exercises.on your exercises. 4. Give you feedback on your 4. Give you feedback on your

drafts and have you redo drafts and have you redo them when necessary.them when necessary.

    5. Be at office hours, call x9-5. Be at office hours, call x9-4782, or email me at 4782, or email me at pknapp@email.villanova.edu.pknapp@email.villanova.edu.

6. Tell you what to do.6. Tell you what to do.

Choosing a paper topicChoosing a paper topic

Pick a research hypothesis you find Pick a research hypothesis you find interestinginteresting

about which there is a stream of theory about which there is a stream of theory and research.and research.

Besides the journals and the data, other Besides the journals and the data, other ways that many students have found ways that many students have found good topics are on the sheet due 1/24:good topics are on the sheet due 1/24:• previous class; an experience; career plans.previous class; an experience; career plans.

Other considerations on topics:Other considerations on topics:

Use Exercise #1 (Use Exercise #1 (Annual Review of Annual Review of Sociology) Sociology) to find a stream of theory.to find a stream of theory.• From a recent issue if possibleFrom a recent issue if possible• If it is an older issue, use the Social If it is an older issue, use the Social

Sciences Citation Index to find current Sciences Citation Index to find current follow-ups.follow-ups.

It will take the first month of class to It will take the first month of class to uncover the broader theoretical uncover the broader theoretical issues involved.issues involved.

The main idea of The main idea of “One World”“One World” It is a shrinking world (globalization)It is a shrinking world (globalization) And within each society the many worlds And within each society the many worlds

of kinship, religion, race, and region are of kinship, religion, race, and region are being replaced by:being replaced by:

1.1. Expansion of democracy and the franchiseExpansion of democracy and the franchise2.2. Freedom of religion, bill of rights etc.Freedom of religion, bill of rights etc.3.3. Elimination of race, class and other 2Elimination of race, class and other 2ndnd class class

citizenships.citizenships.4.4. Principles of equality before the law, equal Principles of equality before the law, equal

educational opportunity, etc.educational opportunity, etc.• The classic theorists (Marx, Durkheim The classic theorists (Marx, Durkheim

and Weber) were all concerned to and Weber) were all concerned to explain this transformation.explain this transformation.

Universalism ParticularismUniversalism Particularism

One of the approaches from the mid-20One of the approaches from the mid-20thth c. c. is the view that there is a replacement of is the view that there is a replacement of roles and rules that are particularistic (i.e. roles and rules that are particularistic (i.e. depend on group membership) by those depend on group membership) by those that are universalistic (i.e. applicable to that are universalistic (i.e. applicable to everyone).everyone).

However, there have been regressions However, there have been regressions (e.g. Nazi Germany)(e.g. Nazi Germany)

And some people view all universalism as And some people view all universalism as a cover for white, male, Eurocentric, a cover for white, male, Eurocentric, capitalistic domination.capitalistic domination.

The Mid-AtlanticThe Mid-Atlantic

On April 22, there will be an On April 22, there will be an undergraduate research colloquium at undergraduate research colloquium at Messiah.Messiah.

I encourage you to participate.I encourage you to participate. You will have an abstract and a 10 minute You will have an abstract and a 10 minute

presentation well before then.presentation well before then. It is also possible to obtain extra credit for It is also possible to obtain extra credit for

a Pro-Seminar to prepare for Mid-Atlantic.a Pro-Seminar to prepare for Mid-Atlantic. Informational meeting Wed. 1/15Informational meeting Wed. 1/15

An Example of Theory ResearchAn Example of Theory Researchand of a GSS battery: and of a GSS battery:

We will spend 1/15 getting familiar with We will spend 1/15 getting familiar with techniques of empirical analysis of General techniques of empirical analysis of General Social Survey data.Social Survey data.

We will discuss the issues of “freedom.” We will discuss the issues of “freedom.” Patterson argues that it is the core value of Patterson argues that it is the core value of

the West, the USA and the modern world.the West, the USA and the modern world. But it is a complex value. In the main But it is a complex value. In the main

political battles (e.g. the Civil War) both political battles (e.g. the Civil War) both sides fought under the banner of freedom.sides fought under the banner of freedom.

We need to see who defines freedom how, We need to see who defines freedom how, with what consequences.with what consequences.