Recent Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Notes | B.A. LL.B. (Five Years) Semester 3 | KSLU | munotes

Contents

Unit I 1. Introduction

1. Recent Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology: What This Paper Covers, and How to Read This Book 1
2. Sociological Theory and Social Theory: The Nature of Sociological Theories 5
3. Concepts, Theories and Paradigms 9
4. Sociological Theorization: How Sociologists Build Theory 13
5. Levels of Theorization: Grand Theories and Middle Range Theories 16
6. The Elements of Theory: Concepts, Variables, Statements and Formats 20
7. The Relationship between Theory and Research 23

Unit II 2. Structural-Functionalism

1. The Functionalist Perspective 26
2. Social Structure and Social System 30
3. Radcliffe-Brown on Social Structure 34
4. Status and Role 38
5. Nadel and the Problem of Role Analysis 42
6. Parsons: The Structure of Social Action 46
7. Parsons: The Social System 50
8. Parsons: AGIL and the Functional Prerequisites 55
9. Merton: The Postulates and the Paradigm of Functional Analysis 60
10. Merton: Social Structure and Anomie 66
11. Neo-Functionalism 71

Unit III 3. Conflict Theory

1. The Conflict Perspective 76
2. The Emergence of Conflict Theories 80
3. Marx: Historical and Dialectical Materialism 84
4. Marx: Theory of Social Class and Social Conflict 89
5. Marx: Alienation 94
6. The Criticism of Marxian Theory 99
7. Dahrendorf: Dialectical Conflict Theory 103
8. Simmel on Conflict 108
9. Coser: The Functions of Social Conflict 112

Unit IV 4. Feminist Theories

1. The Feminist Perspective 117
2. Feminism and Sociology: The Historical Roots 121
3. Marxist Feminism 127
4. Liberal Feminism 131
5. Postmodern Feminism 135
6. Eco-Feminism 139
7. Black Feminism 143

Unit V 5. Post modern Social Theories

1. Modernization and Industrialization 147
2. Classical Theories of Modernity: Durkheim, Weber, Marx and Simmel 151
3. Giddens: The Juggernaut of Modernity 155
4. Beck: The Risk Society 159
5. Ritzer: McDonaldization 163
6. Ritzer: Globalization and Americanization 166
7. Post Modernism 170
8. Derrida and Deconstruction 175
9. Foucault: Power, Knowledge and Discipline 179
10. Critics of Modern Social Theories 184