Sociological Theory
For many students of Sociology, classical Sociological theory, particularly in the shape of Marx, Weber, Durkheim, can seem abstract and disconnected of the contemporary world and their lived experiences. The key to teaching social theory is to try and bring this alive, and show the relevance of Sociological theory in understanding the world we live in today.
The resources here start by focusing on Functionalism, Marxism, Symbolic Interactionism, and finally, the Looking Glass Self, which was a key theory that influenced Symbolic Interactionism. We then consider Modernity, The Enlightenment, and Postmodernism. Next we turn to the nature of science and the extent to which Sociology can be regarded as scientific, by asking Is Sociology a Science? Next, we offer an exercise in research speed-dating, and resources on questions of value freedom. Finally in this section we look at how Sociology can influence Social Policy, and specifically the influential role of Anthony Giddens here.
This topic is therefore useful as it allows students to apply, what can sometimes be quite abstra...
The material provided in the ‘subcultures’ section above has links to social class...
The correspondence principle was proposed by Bowles and Gintis and is the suggestion that educ...
It is important for Sociology students to be aware of contemporary issues in society by reading a...
The DfES, amongst others, have conducted surveys into the attainment of different ethnic groups i...
Like Marxists, Feminists take a conflict view of society here the conflict exists between men ...
Functionalists adopt a consensus view of society, that is, one based on harmony and agreement ...
Sue Sharpe’s classic study ‘Just Like A Girl’ can be used to introduce the n...
Marxists take a conflict view of education and argue that it operates as an ideological tool. ...
For the New Right, the purpose of education is to promote drive, enterprise and initiative in ...
A school subculture can be described as a group of pupils who share similar behaviours and views ...
In this RSA video (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), Si...
This collection of documents (see link below) presents a sample of the British Library’s archi...