SOCI 337 is designed for students who have already taken introductory courses in sociology and who are, therefore, familiar with some of the basic concepts and methods of sociology. This course introduces students to a range of different theoretical perspectives that have together influenced the development of modern sociology.
Outline
Unit 1: Historical Background
Unit 2: Functionalism, Systems Theory, and Conflict Theory
Unit 3: Neo-Marxism
Unit 4: Symbolic Interactionism
Unit 5: Ethnomethodology
Unit 6: Exchange, Network, and Rational-Choice Theories
Unit 7: Feminism
Unit 8: Theoretical Issues
Unit 9: Modernity
Unit 10: Post-Colonial and Critical Race Theory
Unit 11: Globalization
Unit 12: Postmodernity
Epilogue: Twenty-First-Century Social Theory
Evaluation
To receive credit for SOCI 337, students must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent) and a grade of at least 60 percent on the final examination. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Activity
Weight
3 Written Assignments (20% each)
60%
Mid-Course Test
10%
Final Exam
30%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Ritzer, George. 2010. Enchanting a Disenchanted World: Continuity and Change in the Cathedrals of Consumption. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press. (eText)
Ritzer, George, and Jeffrey Stepnisky. 2021. Modern Sociological Theory. 9th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. (eText)
Goffman, Erving. 1959. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. New York: Doubleday. (Print)
All other course materials, including a Course Information, Study Guide, and required readings, are available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the SOCI 337 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least C- (60 percent) on the challenge examination. The two parts of the exam must be written on the same day.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.