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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Approx. 13 hours to complete

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Subtitles: Croatian, Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish

Instructor

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Bart van Heerikhuizen
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Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

69,776 Learners

1 Course

Learner Career Outcomes

16%

started a new career after completing these courses

17%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Croatian, Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish

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 30,000 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.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

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Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Session 1: Classical Sociological Theory - An Introduction

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.

2 hours to complete

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

8 videos

1.1 What is this course about?5m

1.2 Implicit Theories in Everyday Life5m

1.3 What is Sociological Theory?4m

1.4 Founding Fathers5m

1.5 Sociology in the Modern Industrial Age5m

1.6 Linking Classical to Contemporary Theories6m

1.7 The Sociological Theoretical Field6m

1.8 Aims and Claims of this Course5m

3 readings

Welcome note10m

Transcripts10m

Classical Sociological Theory - An Introduction10m

1 practice exercise

Classical Sociological Theory - An Introduction30m

Week

Week 2

1 hour to complete

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

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.

1 hour to complete

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

7 videos

2.1 The Fable of the Bees7m

2.2 The Invisible Hand6m

2.3 The Division of Labour5m

2.4 The Wealth of Nations6m

2.5 Exchange and Self-interest5m

2.6 Social Stratification6m

2.7 The Importance of Adam Smith6m

1 reading

Bernard Mandeville (1670-1733) and Adam Smith (1723-1790)10m

1 practice exercise

Bernard Mandeville (1670-1733) and Adam Smith (1723-1790)30m

Week

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 Knowledge5m

3.2 The Law of the Three Stages of the Human Mind7m

3.3 Sociology as a Means to Establish Social Harmony5m

3.4 The Law of the Classification of Sciences6m

3.5 Religious Thought as Starting Point5m

3.6 Comte’s Religion of Humanity6m

3.7 Early Functionalism5m

3.8 The Importance of Auguste Comte5m

1 reading

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)10m

1 practice exercise

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)30m

Week

Week 4

1 hour to complete

Session 4: Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859)

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.

1 hour to complete

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

8 videos

4.1 Tocqueville as a Precursor of Modern Sociology5m

4.2 An Aristocratic Perspective6m

4.3 On Democratisation6m

4.4 The Dominance of the Middle-Class5m

4.5 The Dangers of Centralisation5m

4.6 Grassroots Politics as the Heart of Democracy6m

4.7 ‘Revolutions Will Become Rare’5m

4.8 Tocqueville’s Predictions5m

1 reading

Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859)10m

1 practice exercise

Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859)30m

Week

Week 5

2 hours to complete

Session 5: Karl Marx (1818-1883)

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.

2 hours to complete

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

8 videos

5.1 The Unexpected Force of Social Thought5m

5.2 Economic Chains of Interdependency6m

5.3 Homo Faber6m

5.4 Alienation6m

5.5 Class Struggle6m

5.6 Caught in the Capitalist System6m

5.7 Class Consciousness5m

5.8 Marx’s Predictions5m

1 reading

Karl Marx (1818-1883)10m

1 practice exercise

Karl Marx (1818-1883)30m

Week

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

8 videos

6.1 Establishing a New Science5m

6.2 Mechanic and Organic Solidarity6m

6.3 Social Facts7m

6.4 Suicide, a Sociological Study6m

6.5 Egoistic and Altruistic Suicide5m

6.6 Anomic and Fatalistic Suicide6m

6.7 The Elementary Forms of Religious Life6m

6.8 The Social Functions of Religion6m

1 reading

Émile Durkheim (1858-1917)10m

1 practice exercise

Émile Durkheim (1858-1917)30m

Week

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

8 videos

7.1 Value-Free Sociology6m

7.2 Understanding Social Action7m

7.3 The Ideal Type6m

7.4 Methodological Individualism6m

7.5 The Four Ideal Types of Social Action6m

7.6 The Three Ideal Types of Authority5m

7.7 Rationalisation5m

7.8 The Protestant Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism6m

1 reading

Max Weber (1864-1920)10m

1 practice exercise

Max Weber (1864-1920)30m

Week

Week 8

2 hours to complete

Session 8: Norbert Elias (1897-1990)

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.

2 hours to complete

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

8 videos

8.1 The Last of the Great Classic Sociologists5m

8.2 Introduction to the Civilizing Process6m

8.3 The Social Constraint Towards Self-Constraint8m

8.4 The Conditions of Civilisation6m

8.5 The Importance of Norbert Elias6m

8.6 A Base for Contemporary Studies7m

8.7 Figurational Processes6m

8.8 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