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2,658 ratings

Bart van Heerikhuizen

Top Instructor

105,621 already enrolled

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Classical Sociological Theory

University of Amsterdam

About this Course

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This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will offer the participants an introduction into the most important classical sociological readings between the 18th and 20th century. Highly influential social science scholars, such as Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkheim, will be discussed during 8 sessions. Combined with small tests, based on the video’s and recommended readings, the participants will be encouraged to dive deeply into the complex texts and get familiar with classical sociological concepts that are still very relevant today.

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Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Approx. 12 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Approx. 12 hours to complete

English

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Instructor

Instructor rating

4.94/5 (594 Ratings)

Bart van Heerikhuizen
Top Instructor

Dr.

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

105,621 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

University of Amsterdam

A modern university with a rich history, the University of Amsterdam

(UvA) traces its roots back to 1632, when the Golden Age school Athenaeum Illustre was established to train students in trade and philosophy. Today, with more than 39,000 students, 5,000 staff and 285 study programmes (Bachelor's and Master's), many of which are taught in English, and a budget of more than 600 million euros, it is one of the largest comprehensive universities in Europe. It is a member of the League of European Research Universities and also maintains intensive contact with other leading research universities around the world.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating99%(20,971 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Session 1: Classical Sociological Theory - An Introduction

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 45 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

8 videos

1.1 What is this course about?5m1.2 Implicit Theories in Everyday Life5m1.3 What is Sociological Theory?4m1.4 Founding Fathers5m1.5 Sociology in the Modern Industrial Age5m1.6 Linking Classical to Contemporary Theories6m1.7 The Sociological Theoretical Field6m1.8 Aims and Claims of this Course5m

3 readings

Welcome note10mTranscripts10mClassical Sociological Theory - An Introduction10m

1 practice exercise

Classical Sociological Theory - An Introduction30m

Week2

Week 2

1 hour to complete

Session 2: Bernard Mandeville (1670-1733) and Adam Smith (1723-1790)

1 hour to complete

7 videos (Total 44 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Week3

Week 3

1 hour to complete

Session 3: Auguste Comte (1798-1857)

This session will cover the author of the word “sociology”, August Comte. He often engaged in theorizing the social world in order to attempt to discover invariant laws. Terms like “positivism”, “the law of the three stages” and “Functionalism” are prominent topics in this session. Comte believed that positivism could both advance science (theory) and change the ways people live their lives (practice).

1 hour to complete

8 videos (Total 48 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

8 videos

3.1 Religious and Scientific Knowledge5m3.2 The Law of the Three Stages of the Human Mind7m3.3 Sociology as a Means to Establish Social Harmony5m3.4 The Law of the Classification of Sciences6m3.5 Religious Thought as Starting Point5m3.6 Comte’s Religion of Humanity6m3.7 Early Functionalism5m3.8 The Importance of Auguste Comte5m

1 reading

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)10m

1 practice exercise

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)30m

Week4

Week 4

1 hour to complete

Session 4: Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859)

1 hour to complete

8 videos (Total 48 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

8 videos

4.1 Tocqueville as a Precursor of Modern Sociology5m4.2 An Aristocratic Perspective6m4.3 On Democratisation6m4.4 The Dominance of the Middle-Class5m4.5 The Dangers of Centralisation5m4.6 Grassroots Politics as the Heart of Democracy6m4.7 ‘Revolutions Will Become Rare’5m4.8 Tocqueville’s Predictions5m

1 reading

Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859)10m

1 practice exercise

Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859)30m

Week5

Week 5

2 hours to complete

Session 5: Karl Marx (1818-1883)

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 50 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Week6

Week 6

2 hours to complete

Session 6: Émile Durkheim (1858-1917)

When thinking of Durkheim, one thinks of social facts. According to Durkheim these social facts are the social structures and cultural norms and values that are external to, and coercive over, individuals. Durkheim argues that two social facts, in particular, influence suicide rates: integration, and regulation. This session will cover the views of Durkheim on topics like solidarity, suicide, and religion.

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 51 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Week7

Week 7

2 hours to complete

Session 7: Max Weber (1864-1920)

This week shines a light on the work of Max Weber. From social action, verstehen, and ideal types to rationalisation and his famous work on the Protestant Ethic. Weber's theory of society tried to account for the manner in which various symbolic factors take part in establishing social status, stratification and inequality. His influence still runs throughout the realms of politics, religion and economics.

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 51 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Week8

Week 8

2 hours to complete

Session 8: Norbert Elias (1897-1990)

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 54 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

8 videos

8.1 The Last of the Great Classic Sociologists5m8.2 Introduction to the Civilizing Process6m8.3 The Social Constraint Towards Self-Constraint8m8.4 The Conditions of Civilisation6m8.5 The Importance of Norbert Elias6m8.6 A Base for Contemporary Studies7m8.7 Figurational Processes6m8.8 Classical Sociological Theories: a Focus on Long Term Trends6m

1 reading

Norbert Elias (1897-1990)10m

1 practice exercise

Norbert Elias (1897-1990)30m

1 hour to complete

Classical Sociological Theory Final Test

1 hour to complete

Reviews

4.9

744 reviews

5 stars
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4 stars
10.66%
3 stars
1.23%
2 stars
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1 star
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TOP REVIEWS FROM CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

by SJAug 25, 2020

A concise and straightforward course on the classical theories of Sociology. I appreciate that it is presented in a non-jargon way that doesn't assume prior knowledge in the learner.

by SKApr 27, 2020

Nice course , the Professor has delivered each lecture very interestingly. It provides basic understanding and relevance of Classical sociological theories to contemporary studies too.

Thank you.

by ALApr 2, 2021

- Excellent content organization.

- Very clear and entertaining teacher.

- Very relevant visual content.

- Very well structured theme.

- It awakens the interest to continue investigating.

by ISJul 10, 2021

The course was great. The professor was very excited about the thing he was teaching and that makes me more interested in the lecture. got a great insight about the classical sociology.

View all reviews

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Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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Classical Sociological Theory

Classical Sociological Theory

About this Course