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Introduction to Sociological Theory - SOC00006C

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  • Department: Sociology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Eliran Bar-El
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23
B Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module is in two parts. The first part looks at the origins of sociology as a discipline. It opens by looking at the circumstances and conditions leading to some of our discipline s great thinkers and critics including Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797), Auguste Comte (1798-1857), Harriet Martineau (1802-1876), Karl Marx (1818-83), Emile Durkheim (1858-1917), Max Weber (1864-1920), and Georg Simmel (1858-1918). We will look at each of these thinkers in turn and will get to grips with some of their key texts. To do this, we will consider each thinker in relation to a set of core concepts and ideas that have become central to sociological theory, for example: gender (Wollstonecraft), class, value and labour (Marx); class status, power and bureaucracy (Weber); positivism and social facts (Durkheim). Through this part of the module, we will raise questions about the intersection of sociological theory and sociological method, and explore connections between the social and the natural sciences. We will also question the contemporary relevance of the above writers by considering the extent to which their theories and concepts are, or are not, out-dated today.

The second part of this module turns its attention to contemporary social theory. The aim here is to build on many of the ideas and concepts considered in the previous term by focussing on sociological theory from the 1960s onwards. It will be organized, like the first term, around key thinkers and fundamental figures in the recent history of the discipline. This includes the Mary Douglas, Michel Foucault, Walter Benjamin, Stuart Hall and Christine Delphi.

Module learning outcomes

  • To provide a detailed introduction to classical and contemporary sociological theory
  • To introduce some key concepts of social theory
  • To illustrate how classical and contemporary theory can be applied to the study of the social world today

Indicative assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Visiting Student Assessment
Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Visiting Student Assessment
Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Feedback is in written form

Indicative reading

Ray, L. (1999) Theorizing Classical Sociology. Open University Press.

George Ritzer and Douglas Goodmans (2008) Sociological Theory 6th International Edition, McGraw Hill.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.