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Social Theory Syllabi, Assignments, and Activities
Social Theory Syllabi, Assignments, and Activities
November 7, 2024

The Social Theory Syllabi, Assignments, and Activtities Resource Collection includes resources for undergraduate and graduate social theory courses. 

Two students sitting outside a classroom building
A black pen laying across a notebook
Alecea Standlee, Bernard Phillips, Andrew Plotkin, Arnold Sherman, Charles Thorpe
Paradigmatic Sociology: Toward an Interdisciplinary Science of Human Behavior
June 6, 2025
Subject Area(s):
Theory
Resource Type(s):
Syllabus
Class Level(s):
Any Level, College 400, Graduate
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

Mills’ The Sociological Imagination was rated by the members of the International Sociological Association as the second most influential book for sociologists published during the entire 20th century, just behind Weber’s Economy and Society....

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People worshiping
Matthew E. Wilkinson, Lisa Winters, David W. Criger, Mackenzie Jurain
Durkheim and the Non-Religious Moral Community: An Exercise in Theoretical Application
April 15, 2025
Subject Area(s):
Leisure/Sports/Recreation, Religion, Social Organization, Teaching and Learning in Sociology, Theory
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, Class Activity
Class Level(s):
College 200, College 300, College 400, Graduate
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

In this assignment, students will explore examples of non-religious moral communities to develop a deeper understanding of key sociological concepts introduced by Émile Durkheim in his study of religion. Specifically, students will identify how Durkheim’s...

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Students studying in a library
Michel Estefan
Classical Sociological Theory
February 4, 2025
Subject Area(s):
Theory
Resource Type(s):
Syllabus
Class Level(s):
College 100
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines theories about how the modern world emerged. In other words, this course is about how the world you live in came into existence. These theories have defined sociology as a discipline and continue to...

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A pile of Pokemon cards
Edward Smith
Teaching Durkheim’s Sociology of Religion through Pokémon
October 24, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Religion, Teaching and Learning in Sociology, Theory
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity, Lecture, PowerPoint
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to examine Emile Durkheim’s structural framework from his book on Elementary Forms of Religious Life to explore Pokémon Platinum and its religious elements present within the game. Using Durkheim's theoretical framework from...

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Football players making a tackle
Kristen Discola
49ers Faithful: Application of Symbolic Interactionist Concepts in Identity Construction
October 1, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Social Psychology
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

In this activity, basic tenets of symbolic interactionism are broken down into digestible pieces and students explore each through close investigation of their own experiences of identity construction. This will not only solidify their understanding, but it will...

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Two men and a women sitting at an outdoor booth studying together
Elizabeth Ziff
undergraduate-sociological-theory-syllabus
Undergraduate Sociological Theory Syllabus
May 21, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Theory
Resource Type(s):
Syllabus
Class Level(s):
College 300
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

This course provides students with an in-depth introduction to social theory, examining central issues in sociological theory using selected works of major theorists and some underrepresented voices. Students are introduced to different conceptualizations such as...

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A stage in a peformance auditorium
Jerrod Yarosh
Interactive Note Taking: Understanding Erving Goffman and Dramaturgy
May 21, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Social Psychology
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, Class Activity, PowerPoint
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200, High School
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

Students engage in an in-class learning experience where they work through a structured note taking activity that allows them to be introduced, learn, apply, and review course material related to Erving Goffman and Dramaturgy. The general idea is that students are...

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Karl Marx
Michel Estefan
Was Marx Right? The Value of Thoughtful Ambivalence When Studying and Using Social Theory
March 5, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Economic Sociology, Marxist Sociology, Political Sociology, Teaching and Learning in Sociology, Theory
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This assignment is designed to cultivate in students an approach to studying and applying social theory based on thoughtful ambivalence. Thoughtful ambivalence is a skill, a habit of mind, and a value. As a skill, thoughtful ambivalence is the ability to identify...

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A student hidden behind a pile of books
Daniel Morrison
Social Theory Syllabus
January 28, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Theory
Resource Type(s):
Syllabus
Class Level(s):
College 300, College 400
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

Syllabus for course in Social Theory, which includes authors solidly within the sociological canon and beyond. Students are required to complete either a semester paper explaining why a social problem exists using social theory, or to create an independent, "free...

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W.E.B. Du Bois
Kyla Walters
Creative Review of The Souls of Black Folk
June 16, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Race, Class and Gender, Racial and Ethnic Relations, Theory
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, Essay
Class Level(s):
College 300
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

After reading W. E. B. Du Bois’ The Souls of Black Folk, students produce an original creative product analyzing the text. Students will describe the dual insights of the concept of double consciousness and examine one specific social, political,...

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