classical theory

1. Contemporary Approaches to
Sociological Theory
SOCI 372
Ana Vivaldi & Sherrie Dilley

2. Introduction to Theory
We all observe and interpret phenomena
every day

3. Ideas help us interpret phenomena

4. What is a theory?
Theories are sets of
interrelated ideas that:
• Provide meaningful
explanations of central
issues within a social
and historical context
• can be applied to a
range of phenomena
• stand the test of time

5. What is a theoretical framework?
Frameworks are basic
conceptual structures that
group a number of theories
together within a particular
interpretive perspective.
Eg: “critical race theory” is a
theoretical framework that
combines a number of
different theories within an
interpretation that focuses
on race relations

6. Example: Critical Race Theory as a
Framework

7. Social and Historical Context
Theories are sets of interrelated ideas that provide
meaningful explanations of central issues within a
social and historical context
Social and historical context changes over time and
space
What changes take place? What theories and/or
frameworks remain influential and/or relevant
and why?

8. Sociological Theory and the Modern
Context
The Canon
“WMD” or“DWM”

9. Thinking about the “modern”

10. Early Modern Context
Theodor de Bry: "Columbus’ landing in 1492". Copperplate
engraving dated 1594.

11. William Hogarth: Beer Street and Gin Lane (1751)

12. Anicet-Charles-Gabriel Lemonnier (1812): A Reading
in the Salon of Mme Geoffrin.... by Voltaire

13. Early Modern Context
• Rise of the nation state & civil society
• Rise of representative democracy
• Rise of industrialization, free markets, capitalism
• Increasing urbanization
• “Discovery” and colonization of the “New World”
• Increasing role of science & technology
• Increasing literacy
• Distrust of tradition and increase of autonomous
reason
• Rise of individualism

14. Moving into the 19th Century
• Mass urbanization
• Proliferation of mass media
• Increasing development and applications of
science & technology
• Increasing globalization
• Emergence of social science and anthropology
• Growing disenfranchisement of religion
• Increasing political emancipation

15. The 19th Century Context

16. The 19th Century Context

17. The 20th Century Context

18. Defining Characteristics of Modernity
• Bureaucracy
• Disenchantment of the
world
• Rationalization
• Secularization
• Alienation
• Commodification
• Decontextualization
• Mass society
• Nationalism
• Urbanization
• Subjectivism
• Linear-progression
• Objectivism
• Reductionism
• Individualism

19. Contemporary Theories and Context
Theories are sets of interrelated ideas that provide meaningful
explanations of central issues within a social and historical
context
Social and historical context changes over time and space. What
changes take place? What theories and/or frameworks remain
influential and/or relevant and why?
What issues and concepts develop from historical
contexts? What issues emerge in the
contemporary sphere? What changes in our
meaningful explanations of the social world?