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Which sociological perspective is most closely associated with Karl Marx's theories?
Which sociological perspective is most closely associated with Karl Marx's theories?
Which concept is more aligned with Max Weber's sociological theories?
Which concept is more aligned with Max Weber's sociological theories?
In the transition from classical to contemporary sociological theories, which aspect is more characteristic of contemporary theories?
In the transition from classical to contemporary sociological theories, which aspect is more characteristic of contemporary theories?
Which theoretical perspective is likely to examine the intersection of race, class, and gender in society?
Which theoretical perspective is likely to examine the intersection of race, class, and gender in society?
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What distinguishes contemporary sociological theories from classical theories in terms of their approach to environmentalism?
What distinguishes contemporary sociological theories from classical theories in terms of their approach to environmentalism?
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What is one of the modes of theorizing according to Monika Krause, which involves applying existing concepts to new observations?
What is one of the modes of theorizing according to Monika Krause, which involves applying existing concepts to new observations?
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Which theorist is mentioned as an example in the mode of theorizing that involves interpreting major figures according to Monika Krause?
Which theorist is mentioned as an example in the mode of theorizing that involves interpreting major figures according to Monika Krause?
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In Monika Krause's modes of theorizing, what is the mode that involves joining a new fact or observation to an existential issue or a historical trend?
In Monika Krause's modes of theorizing, what is the mode that involves joining a new fact or observation to an existential issue or a historical trend?
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Which aspect influences how concepts are re-observed and/or reconceptualized according to Monika Krause?
Which aspect influences how concepts are re-observed and/or reconceptualized according to Monika Krause?
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In Monika Krause's mode of theorizing, which mode involves developing new concepts in dialogue with observations and previous concepts?
In Monika Krause's mode of theorizing, which mode involves developing new concepts in dialogue with observations and previous concepts?
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Which mode involves reading, analyzing, and making sense of different theorists and their contributions?
Which mode involves reading, analyzing, and making sense of different theorists and their contributions?
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The due date for Assignment 3 is on a Wednesday.
The due date for Assignment 3 is on a Wednesday.
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Michel Foucault is associated with Classical Theorizing in sociology.
Michel Foucault is associated with Classical Theorizing in sociology.
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The course coverage includes exploring Cultural Approach to Theorizing in Week 5.
The course coverage includes exploring Cultural Approach to Theorizing in Week 5.
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The Review & Midterm week is scheduled for Week 12.
The Review & Midterm week is scheduled for Week 12.
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Decoloniality is part of the course content in Week 10.
Decoloniality is part of the course content in Week 10.
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The word 'Contemporary' in the course context strictly refers to recent years and excludes historical perspectives.
The word 'Contemporary' in the course context strictly refers to recent years and excludes historical perspectives.
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Every social thinker is potentially a theorist. True or False?
Every social thinker is potentially a theorist. True or False?
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Contemporary sociological theories completely depart from classical theorizing. True or False?
Contemporary sociological theories completely depart from classical theorizing. True or False?
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The word 'contemporary' in contemporary theory implies a single unified approach. True or False?
The word 'contemporary' in contemporary theory implies a single unified approach. True or False?
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Contemporary sociological theories are entirely separate from classical theories in their principles and foundations. True or False?
Contemporary sociological theories are entirely separate from classical theories in their principles and foundations. True or False?
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Ward averred that there is nothing new in sociology.
Ward averred that there is nothing new in sociology.
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Contemporary sociological theorizing includes Post-Marxism, Neo-Feminism, and Neoliberalism.
Contemporary sociological theorizing includes Post-Marxism, Neo-Feminism, and Neoliberalism.
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A good theory must lack internal consistency to be considered valid.
A good theory must lack internal consistency to be considered valid.
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Theorizing involves solely generating new theories without making sense of existing ones.
Theorizing involves solely generating new theories without making sense of existing ones.
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The term 'Contemporary' refers to sociological principles and methods that have become outdated.
The term 'Contemporary' refers to sociological principles and methods that have become outdated.
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A theory must be complex, convoluted, and hard to understand to be considered useful.
A theory must be complex, convoluted, and hard to understand to be considered useful.
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What are the contributions of Pierre Bourdieu and Anthony Giddens in the course?
What are the contributions of Pierre Bourdieu and Anthony Giddens in the course?
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What distinguishes contemporary theories from classical theories in terms of epistemes?
What distinguishes contemporary theories from classical theories in terms of epistemes?
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How does contemporary sociological theorizing differ from classical theories in terms of production?
How does contemporary sociological theorizing differ from classical theories in terms of production?
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Explain the key difference in the approach to diversity between classical and contemporary theories.
Explain the key difference in the approach to diversity between classical and contemporary theories.
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How does contemporary theorizing differ from classical theorizing in terms of constructions?
How does contemporary theorizing differ from classical theorizing in terms of constructions?
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In what ways do contemporary sociological theories differ from classical theories in terms of expansionism?
In what ways do contemporary sociological theories differ from classical theories in terms of expansionism?
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What key aspect signifies the transition from classical to contemporary theorizing?
What key aspect signifies the transition from classical to contemporary theorizing?
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Define theorizing in sociology and briefly explain its importance in the field.
Define theorizing in sociology and briefly explain its importance in the field.
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Discuss the key elements of a good sociological theory with examples.
Discuss the key elements of a good sociological theory with examples.
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Differentiate between classical and contemporary sociological theories, providing examples of each.
Differentiate between classical and contemporary sociological theories, providing examples of each.
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Explain the significance of testability/falsifiability in sociological theories with a real-world example.
Explain the significance of testability/falsifiability in sociological theories with a real-world example.
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Discuss the role of contemporary sociological theories in addressing global social issues.
Discuss the role of contemporary sociological theories in addressing global social issues.
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How does sociological theorizing contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of sociology?
How does sociological theorizing contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of sociology?
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Study Notes
Classical vs Contemporary Theories
- Classical Theories: Characterized by monolithic epistemes, modernity/civilization, production, concentrated expansionism/colonialism, and disciplinary specialization.
- Contemporary Theories: Characterized by complementary epistemes/intersectionality, postmodernity, service industries, environmentalism/humans, diversity/decoloniality/inclusivity/multiple ways of knowing, and syncretism/interdisciplinarity.
Theorizing
- Theorizing is a rigorous process of generating and making sense of already existing theories.
- It involves constructing, deconstructing, and reconstructing theories.
- Theorizing is different from theory in that it is a process, whereas theory is a product.
Modes of Theorizing
- Interpreting Major Figures: Involves reading, analyzing, and making sense of different theorists and their contributions to the pool of theories.
- Applying Existing Concepts to New Observations: Involves applying existing concepts to new observations, and empirically testing and falsifying new explanations.
- Linking Existing Concepts to New Observations: Involves linking existing concepts to new observations and developing new explanations.
- Developing New Concepts in Dialogue with Observations and Previous Concepts: Involves developing new concepts in dialogue with observations and previous concepts.
- Joining a New Fact or Observation to an Existential Issue or a Historical Trend: Involves joining a new fact or observation to an existential issue or a historical trend.
Contemporary Sociological Theory
- The three key words are: Contemporary, Sociological, and Theory.
- Contemporary refers to a dynamic and ongoing process of theorizing, rather than a fixed chronological demarcation.
- Sociological refers to an epistemic way of deploying sociological principles and methods of interrogating our social world.
- Theory is an account of the world that goes beyond what we can see and measure, and is a product of scientific enquiries (empiricism).
Elements of a Good Theory
- Science/Empirical Validity: The theory must be based on empirical evidence and scientific enquiry.
- Utility: The theory must be useful and applicable to real-world situations.
- Generalizability: The theory must be able to be generalized to other contexts and situations.
- Internal Consistency: The theory must be logically consistent and coherent.
- Testability/Falsifiability: The theory must be testable and able to be falsified (Karl Popper, 1965).
- Parsimony: The theory must be simple, understandable, and adaptive.
Course Coverage
- The course covers topics such as shifting theoretical paradigms, contemporary grand theories, metatheorizing, structural theory, and rethinking globalization.
- The course also includes a reading week and a midterm review.
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Description
Explore the differences between classical and contemporary theorists based on traits presented in the table, including epistemes, modernity/postmodernity, war periods, and societal perspectives.