Theory and Society

This course provides an introduction to theoretical approaches as they relate to applied social research with an emphasis on social justice. It focuses on the inter-relationships between researchers, theory, and the social relations or sites being explored. Theories will be evaluated in relation to questions of state formation, and class, gender, race, sexuality and other areas of social difference. The sociology of power, language and discourse will be explored. There will be a focus on questions of epistemology and ontology and on the relation between theoretical perspectives and methodologies. Students will be encouraged to develop linkages between a substantive area of research interest and the theoretical perspectives that assist in opening up these social sites for investigation and analysis. cr 3.