What is society? How should we study it? When (and why) did social theory historically emerge? And what does differentiate it from any other analytical tool allowing for the interpretation of human behaviours? This course will answer these questions, while furthering your knowledge of the main methods, scopes, and theoretical frameworks illustrating the so-called “modern age” of sociology. In the first part of the course, we will introduce and critically debate the basic concepts of social theory and social science. We will then observe how and why these conceptual tools historically emerged in the works of “pre-modern” scholars such as Plato, Hobbes, Vico, and Comte. Finally, we will devote the remaining classes to in-depth examine the work of Emile Durkheim, who is usually considered as the founding father of “modern” sociology, through the lenses of our previous in-class debates.
- Teacher: Salma Amazit
- Teacher: Salvatore Giusto