Course Overview
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Course Synopsis
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This course shall introduce the students to major contemporary theoretical perspectives in sociology including: functionalism, conflict, social exchange/rational choice, and interactionism. These divisions may be arbitrary, though the perspectives may blend into each other. Hence they may overlap and thereby pose problems of delineating the boundaries and generating some off-shoots of the main perspectives. To examine these perspectives, contributions of various theoreists will be examined. It is expected to develop critical thinking and capabilities to discuss sociological theories
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Course Learning Outcomes
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Learning Outcomes
- Conceptualize meaning and scope of the sociological perspective;
- Explore a history of sociological ideas and theories;
- Develop a comparative understanding of functionalism, conflict, rational choice/exchange, and interactionism. Within contexts of these theoretical perspectives, identify the major contributions of various sociologists;
- Get an overview of the contemporary theory and the future trends in sociological theory; and see the applicability of a particular perspective to the realities in Pakistan.
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Course Calendar
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Week 01
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1
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Introduction: Sociological perspective
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2
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Major sociological perspectives
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Week 02
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4
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Functionalism (Talcott Parson-I)
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5
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Functionalism (Talcott Parson-II)
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6
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Functionalism (Talcott Parson-III)
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Week 03
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7
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Functionalism (Talcott Parson-IV)
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8
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Functionalism: Robert K. Merton-I
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9
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Functionalism: Robert K. Merton-II
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Quiz 01
Week 04
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10
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Functionalism: Robert K. Merton-III
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Assignment
Week 05
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13
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Conflict Perspective: Ralf Dahrendorf-I
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14
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Conflict Perspective: Ralf Dahrendorf-II
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15
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Conflict Perspective: C. Wright Mills-I
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Quiz 02
Week 06
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16
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Conflict Perspective: C. Wright Mills-II
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17
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Frankfurt school: Critical theory-I
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18
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Frankfurt school: Critical theory-II
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Mid Term Exam
Week 07
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19
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Critical theory: Juregen Habermas-I
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20
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Critical theory: Juregen Habermas-II
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21
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Critical theory: Juregen Habermas-III
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Week 08
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22
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Feminism as part of conflict perspective-I
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23
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Feminism as part of conflict perspective-II
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24
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Feminism as part of conflict perspective-III
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Week 09
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26
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Social Exchange: George C. Homans-I
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27
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Social Exchange: Peter M. Blau-I
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Week 10
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28
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Social Exchange: Peter M. Blau-II
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29
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Social Exchange: Peter M. Blau-III
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Week 11
Week 12
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35
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Interactionism – symbolic interactionism-I
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36
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Interactionism – symbolic interactionism-II
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GDB
Week 13
Quiz 03
Week 14
Week 15
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43
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Symbolic Interactions: Some basic principles
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44
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Learning meanings and symbols
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Final Term Exam
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