Classical Social Theory Final Paper
Sociology 611 Classical Social Theory Final Assignment
In the event that you quote someone, be sure to cite their work and use a generally accepted citation format such as used in the American Sociological Review format: Author Year: Page (e.g., Marx 1867:901). Submit your paper in Microsoft Word. There is a limit of 3500 words. To determine if your answers are clearly written, ask yourself the following question: Would someone unfamiliar with the material understand the theorists after reading my answers?
Part 1 Weber. 45 Points
1.1 Describe why organized religions undergo periodic reformation. (5 points)
1.2 Discuss Weber’s conception of the relationship between ascetic Protestantism and the emergence of industrial capitalism. Include the following concepts in the answer: elective affinity, formal rationality, substantive rationality, value‑orientation, irrational, tradition, calling, ascetic lifestyle, the protestant ethic, the spirit of capitalism, capital accumulation. (10 points)
1.3 To aid in the comparative and historical analysis of society, Weber developed three ideal types of authority: traditional, legal-rational, and charismatic. Define these ideal types and discuss how they contribute to a comparative and historical analysis of society. Include the following concepts in the answer: formal rationality, irrational, legitimacy, rational, rationalization process, social change, substantive rationality. (10 points)
1.4 Define Weber’s (1) conception of stratification, (2) discuss the three ideal type dimensions of power that contribute to stratification, and (3) given an illustration of how the three dimensions of power might intersect at the empirical level. (10 points)
1.5 Weber’s commitment to liberalism is closely linked to his concerns with democracy. Define Weber’s conception of liberalism and discuss how it influenced his analysis of politics in modern society. Your answer should include a discussion of the options available as well as the dangers to social actors entering politics as described in ‘Politics as a Vocation’ and his other writings on politics. (10 points)
Part 2 Durkheim. 25 points.
2.1 Discuss Durkheim’s critique of (1) utilitarian and (2) Kantian conceptions of morality (6 points).
2.2 Describe Durkheim’s conception of morality and how social institutions emerge in ways that embody and transmit morality. Your answer should include the following concepts: altruistic behavior, anomie, collective consciousness, egoistic behavior, morality, moral action, mechanical solidarity, organic solidarity, punishment, churinga, church, clan, collective consciousness, collective effervescence, latent functions, manifest functions, totemic species, totemic object, religion, rituals, sacred rituals, social facts, sui generis. (19 points)
Part 3 Mead. 30 points.
3.1 According to Mead, what should be the objective/goal of science? What method does Mead propose to achieve this objective/goal? (4 points).
3.2 Describe Mead’s (1) criticism of the prevailing conceptions of human behavior when he developed his theory of symbolic interaction, and (2) how the following intellectual traditions influenced his thinking: utilitarianism, Darwin’s theory of evolution, pragmatism, and behaviorism. (8 points)
3.2 Describe Mead’s theory of symbolic interaction (i.e., how social processes contribute to the development of both the individual and society) and the linkages between the development of individuals and societies. Your answer should include, but is not limited to, the following concepts: Society, Self, Mind, I, Me, conflict, consciousness, covert behavior, dialectic emergence, evolutionary adaptation, flexibility, generalized other, instinct, novelty, overt behavior, predictability, unique, unity, reflexiveness, roles, selection, significant symbols, structure, taking the role of the other. (18 points)
