Prof Monika Krause

This course is available on the MA in Modern History, MSc in City Design and Social Science, MSc in Culture and Society, MSc in Economy and Society, MSc in Political Sociology and MSc in Sociology. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process. For information on controlled access courses, including eligibility, application processes, deadlines, and departmental contact details, please refer to the Controlled Access Courses webpage.

This course has a limited number of places. For information on how to apply for a place on this course, please see Courses offered and related information.

The course is designed for students who haven't studied this material before, although there is plenty here too for those who want to dig more deeply into the work of the authors discussed. We will spend some time in the classroom reading these texts together. In my experience, the range of perspectives and reactions students bring always lead to interesting discussions.

The course provides a critical review of classical social theory. We explore the origins and development of classical social theory through a close reading of primary texts by authors such as Marx, Weber, DuBois, Simmel, Toqueville, Martineau and Durkheim. This course will consider texts in their historical contexts and discuss subsequent developments within the theoretical traditions associated with the authors studied. We will also consider implications for sociological research. It is not assumed that students have a basic grounding in classical social theory, although it is expected that students who register for this course will be prepared to develop their understanding through primary readings, and not rely on textbooks.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.

This course is usually delivered through seminars. There will be two hours or more of teaching each week in AT.

Essay.

The reading list for each seminar will be divided up into essential and additional reading. Students will be asked to read between 50 and 100 pages of primary text per week.
The following is a sample list of readings:

• Marx, K: The Communist Manifesto & Grundrisse & Capital (sections of vols 1 & 3);
• Weber, M: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism & 'Science as a Vocation';
• Simmel, G: The Philosophy of Money (various sections)

And various essays such as:

• Simmel, G: 'The Metropolis and Mental Life', 'The Stranger', etc.;
• Du Bois: Souls of Black Folk

Course participation (10%).

Essay (90%, 4000 words) in January.

Attendance at all seminars and submission of all set coursework is required.