SOC 233 Lecture : Soc 233 Nov 30
Document Summary
Theories of knowledge influence methodology, questions we ask, and the process of interpreting data. Theory guides what counts as valid knowledge. Helps us to target exactly what we are studying and how we are going to study it. Theories are not always seen as useful. Grand theories have come disconnected from practice. Mills" criticism over split between grand theorists" or abstracted empiricists. ". Argues - relevance of classical thinkers (e. g. , durkheim, weber and marx). Restructuring needs to take place to use concepts outside of their box. Take key arguments and key assumptions and apply them into a context which they have not been previously used. Note no matter which empirical study you are trying to use, the concepts, tools and ways of thinking about the social world are adopted. Useful tools of making sense of the world around us. Neutral or guiding social change: theory as neutral. Should not be putting values into our arguments: theory for social change.
