Contemporary Theory in Sociological Analysis (406-3-20)
Instructors
Wendy N Espeland
847 467 1252
1808 Chicago Ave
Wendy Espeland is an award winning teacher who does research in the areas of politics, culture, environment, and quantification. She has written a book about the effects of rankings on higher education.
Meeting Info
Parkes Hall 222: Wed 9:30AM - 12:30PM
Overview of class
Modernity has become a contested term. This class investigates how various thinkers have
conceived of what it means to be "modern" or "post-modern," critiques of modernity that have
profoundly shaped our images of it, and skeptics who challenge the idea of modernity. It also
includes sections that investigate in detail what I call "mechanisms" of modernity: procedures,
devices, approaches or strategies that people adopt or promulgate in their efforts to be rational,
manage uncertainty and conflict, or attain efficiency in various institutional arenas.
Registration Requirements
This course is open to Sociology graduate students. Anyone who falls outside of this description should contact the instructor for consent to enroll.
Learning Objectives
Students will become versed in a range of contemporary theoretical debates that address the concept of "modernity" in various ways. They will learn to digest and synthesize various theoretical approaches and to reflect on these critically. Weekly papers should improve writing skills and student presentations should improve teaching skills.
Teaching Method
Each week one or two students will be responsible for presenting an overview of the week's readings and directing discussion. While it is important that presenters cover the assigned material in enough detail to ensure that we all understand the argument, presenters should also critically evaluate the material, raise provocative questions for class discussion, make connections among different authors, and generally be prepared to sustain a lively class discussion
Evaluation Method
It is crucial that students come to class prepared to engage the material. Grades will be based mainly on the final course paper (80%). Class participation is worth 20% and takes two forms: weekly position papers (10%) which will not be graded excepted as having been adequately completed or not and participation (10%), where quality matters more than quantity. The final paper is an exercise inviting students to write an analytical, synthetic introduction to the course readings, as if this essay were an introduction to an edited volume on modernity. Students can incorporate comments from position papers (with appropriate attribution) if they wish. Students are also free to incorporate a few selected additional readings into their edited volumes and introductions if they choose. The final paper assignment is posted on Canvas.
Class Materials (Required)
The class will use a combination of readings on Canvas and books.
There are five required books:
The Consequences of Modernity. Anthony Giddens.
Discipline and Punish. Michel Foucault
Orientalism. Edward Said
Seeing Like a State. James Scott
The Pasteurization of France. Bruno Latour
Students may use any edition of these books, use e-books, or rent the books. They are on order at Norris and have been placed on library reserve.
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Sociology/MORS PhD Students