Sociology 204: Sociological Theory
Semester: N/A
This seminar offers an introduction to classical sociological theory. We will explore several topics, namely: 1) what are the major themes of the foundational texts of sociology; 2) how these texts were shaped by the social context in which they were produced; 3) how do these texts connect with broader development in social and economic thoughts in the nineteenth and early twentieth century; 4) how do the key authors compare with one another; and 5) how do they influence sociological theorizing today. The more general objective is to learn about and reflect on the role of theory in sociological research.
Structure:
We will begin with two introductory sessions that will discuss the usefulness of classical sociological theory today, outline some of the key ideas to be explored throughout the semester, compare various approaches to classical theory, and learn about the prehistory of sociology and disciplinary institutionalization. The remaining sessions will be organized as follows: Each week will be dedicated to a particular author, or, in the case of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber, to an important theme in their work (with at least two sessions consecrated to each of these sociologists). Seminar participants will present and analyze readings and I will situate them within their broader theoretical and social context and discuss the legacies of the various authors. Throughout the semester, we will compare authors along key analytical dimensions.
In recent years Lamont has taught undergraduate courses on “Successful Societies: Markers and Pathways,” "Culture, Power, and Inequality," "Racism and Anti-Racism in Comparative Perspective," and "Knowledge Production and Evaluation." At the graduate level, she taught "Qualitative Data Analysis," "Classical Sociological Theory," and "Culture and Inequality." Since 2004, she has co-organized the Culture and Social Analysis Workshop in the Department of Sociology, where faculty, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students and visitors come together to share their work in progress. Since 2005, she has also been the co-organizer of the Study Group on Exclusion and Inclusion at the Center for European Studies.
An active mentor of post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate students, Lamont advises research on a wide range of topics. She received the 2010 Everett Mendelsohn Excellence in Mentoring Award, given by the Harvard Graduate Students Council. For a list of current and past graduate students and post-docs, click here. She was also one of eight Harvard faculty across all schools to be recognized as "master mentor" by the Office of the Senior Adviser for Faculty Development and Diversity in 2010.