University of Amsterdam

Classical Sociological Theory

Taught in English

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116,776 already enrolled

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Bart van Heerikhuizen
Danny de Vries

Instructors: Bart van Heerikhuizen

Top Instructor

4.9

(2,784 reviews)

12 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

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Assessments

9 quizzes

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There are 9 modules in this course

In this session the field of classical sociological theory will be introduced. It explains the historical roots of sociology. It shows you why classical sociological theories are still important in modern societies and it explains the Aims and Claims of this Course.

What's included

8 videos3 readings1 quiz

This session explains the work of Adam Smith. It shows you how a poem written by Bernard Mandeville inspired Adam Smith. Adam Smith's theory shines light on the consequences of industrialization. You will learn what the consequences are of the Division of Labour.

What's included

7 videos1 reading1 quiz

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).

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 quiz

Tocqueville’s works shaped 19th-century discussions of liberalism and equality, and were rediscovered in the 20th century as sociologists debated the causes and cures of tyranny and revolutions. His famous work “Democracy in America” remains widely read and even more widely quoted. This session will cover Tocqueville’s most important ideas.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 quiz

The German philosopher, radical economist, and revolutionary leader Karl Marx founded modern "scientific" socialism. His basic ideas, known as Marxism, form the foundation of socialist and communist movements throughout the world. Several topics like alienation, class struggle, and capitalism will be covered in this week's session.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 quiz

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.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 quiz

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.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 quiz

Elias is the last of the Classical Sociologists. Elias' theory focusses on long term trends, with his so called process or figurational sociology. He shows us how the civilisation proces can be explained in terms like Self-Constraint and Figurations.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 quiz

This is the final test. This test contains 87 question. To pass this test you need to answer at least 57 questions correct.

What's included

1 quiz

Instructors

Instructor ratings
4.9 (649 ratings)
Bart van Heerikhuizen

Top Instructor

University of Amsterdam
1 Course116,776 learners
Danny de Vries

Top Instructor

University of Amsterdam
2 Courses117,506 learners

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