SOC 3310 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Sui Generis, Lewis A. Coser, Blue-Collar Worker

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 3310
• Professor: Norman Dubeski

Document Summary

Contemporary theory-theories of the 20th century since classical theory thus depend on definition of classical theory. This is the discipline but cannot stand independently of classical. Classical theory-various dead theorists who had conviction, ambition and took a stand on objectivity and values. This is dead because knowledge is too complex to try and grasp the big picture. Grand theory-someone who tries to put the big picture together. Contemporary theory is not grand theory but is more specialized. Positivism/natural sciences-social reality is objective and thus results are verifiable. Predicting behaviour is a primary goal, values are unproblematic. Public often assumes that this is what sociology is or should be. People create meaning through interpreting interaction, recognizes people have different values. Sociologists should connect and have mutual understanding, should be sympathetic and can engage in participant observation. Critical/ideological-values and facts are conjoined, opposite to positivism.