Modern Social Classical Theory Evaluation Evaluate how the classical theorists (Marx, Durkheim and Weber) have interpreted the relationship between structure and agency?
Essay Question: Evaluate how the classical theorists (Marx, Durkheim and Weber) have interpreted the relationship between structure and agency?
Assessment Description for Modern Social Classical Theory Evaluation
The essay requires you to demonstrate understanding of the social changes that the theories seek to explain and articulate preliminary features that make sociological theorising distinctive.
You will be expected to:
identify the strengths and weakness of modern social theory and how it has
adapted and discarded concepts from the classical theorists explain the differing forms of theorising produced by those that emphasis
structure or agency; analyse how modern social theory has problematized the self, the cultural and
the structural dimensions of modern societies.
General guidelines:
You must use at least 8 academic sources in your essay.
You must also show evidence you have read around the topic
Ensure correct referencing and bibliography style
Don’t forget to include a word count and a bibliography.
In marking this assignment, tutors will consider:
In marking the essay, tutors will consider:
ability to understand and address the question set;
the degree to which analysis is accurate and arguments evidenced;
the degree to which the theories and concepts discussed are contextualised and compared;
the ability to work independently;
good written English and adherence to academic conventions of referencing etc.
Modern Social Classical Theory Evaluation Sources
Ken Morrison. (2006). 2nd edition. Marx, Durkheim, Weber: formations of modern social thought.
Steven Miles. (2004). Social theory in the real world.
Jonathan H. Turner (2004). 7th edition.The structure of sociological theory.
Anthony Giddens. (1990). Central problems in social theory: Action, Structure and Contradiction in Social Analysis.
George Ritzer. (2011). 6th edition. Classical sociological theory.
Anthony Harrington. (2007). Modern social theory: an introduction.
Alex Callinicos. (2007). 2nd edition. Social theory: a historical introduction.
Ian Craib. (1992). 2nd edition. Modern social theory: from Parsons to Habermas.
Mike O’Donnell. (2000). Classical and contemporary sociology: Theory and issues.
Shaun Best. (2003). A beginner’s guide to social theory.
In the essay can you please include:
Voluntarism and determinism
The individual and free will and society
Agency and structure
Methodological holism and methodological individualism
Structarlism
The Frankfurt school
Symbolic interactionism