SOCIAL-ECONOMIC THEORIES SOC 6312/POEC 6312

University of Texas at Dallas

Fall, 2005

Professor: Sheryl Skaggs, Ph.D. Seminar: S 9:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Office: GR 2.206 Room: GR 3.606
Phone: 972-883-4460 Office Hours: Sat. 12:15 – 12:45
E-Mail: slskaggs@utdallas.edu (or by appointment)

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:

This course is designed to introduce the student to major sociological and economic theoretical ideas, particularly
those related to public policy and socio-economic issues. We will examine the purpose of theory in conducting social
science research and explore the relationship between various classical works and contemporary application. The
overall goal is to provide students with the tools necessary to produce a thorough literature review based on their
individual research interests.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Readings in Economic Sociology. Nicole Woolsey Biggart (editor). Blackwell, 2002.

The Large Corporation and Contemporary Classes. Maurice Zeitlin. Rutgers University Press, 1989.

Cousepack Reader – to be available at the UTD Bookstore and Off-Campus Books

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

• Weekly seminar attendance (10% of your final grade). Students leaving prior to the end of class without a
pre-approved excuse will not receive credit for attendance during that class session.

• Each week students will write a one page (single spaced) summary highlighting the main points from one of
the assigned readings (with 1.25” margins and Times New Roman font). The summary should NOT be on
any reading that constitutes a biography of a theorist (e.g., includes mostly personal background information).
If a reading is in question, please contact the professor for clarification. Each student will be responsible for
having done all the weeks readings; not just the one selected for summary. Summary grades will be based
on your ability to prepare a concise synopsis of the main argument in that reading (i.e., what is the author’s
primary point in that piece; rather than pointing out every detail of the reading). Late weekly assignments
will not be accepted and you must attend class to turn in an assignment. This will comprise 10% of
your course grade.

• In addition, students, working in small groups, will be assigned a week to lead one class discussion. The
discussion should consist of 3 in-depth questions (the total number for each group) that present a critique of
the week’s readings (not a summary discussion). The discussion questions should tie the entire week’s
 readings together, which means leaders will want to coordinate their efforts in advance of the class meeting.
This component will comprise 10% of your course grade.

• One in-class examination* and a take-home examination, both based on course readings and seminar
discussions. Each exam will comprise 35% of your grade and will consist of essay questions. The final will
require a more thorough use of the course material.

*Make-up exams will be permitted only under extreme documented circumstances. If a make-up exam is deemed
necessary, it will be your responsibility to contact the professor prior to the originally scheduled exam to make such
arrangements. The date and time of the make-up exam will be determined by the professor but will occur no later
than 2 days following the originally scheduled exam.

ADDITIONAL POLICIES:

Students are expected to conform to the university policy for academic honesty
(http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/scholastic.html and
http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/dishonesty.html). Absolutely no form of academic dishonesty will be
tolerated!

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: cheating on assignments or examinations,
plagiarizing (misrepresenting as your own work any part of work done by another), submitting
the same assignment, or substantially similar assignments, to meet the requirements of more
than one course without the approval of all instructors, depriving another student of necessary
course materials, or interfering with another student’s work. If in doubt about the ethics of your
actions, consult the university catalog to see the stated policy. Violations of this policy will be
punished severely and according to the fullest extent of the policy.
 COURSE OUTLINE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
*Tentative Schedule – May be subject to change

August 20: General Introduction

August 27: Why Theory? Nealon & Giroux – Ch. 1 & 8 (coursepack)
Capitalism and Economic Order Biggart – Introduction and Ch. 1

Sept. 3: The Sociological Tradition Edles and Appelrouth; Kivisto (coursepack)

Introduction to Marx and Capitalism

Sept. 10: Contemporary application to Marx Zeitlin – Ch. 1, 2, and Handout

Sept. 17 NO CLASS

Sept. 24 Weber and the Rise of Capitalism Swedberg; Kivisto; Edles and Appelrouth
(coursepack)

Oct. 1: Further insight into Capitalist development Biggart – Ch. 10 and 12

Oct. 8: Ties to Marx and Weber – contemporary application Ritzer – Ch. 3 and 4 (coursepack)
Introduction to Durheim Edles and Appelrouth; Kivisto (coursepack)

Oct 15: EXAM 1

Oct. 22: Economic Action Biggart – Part ll Introduction, Ch. 5 & 6

Oct. 29: Social Capital and the Economy Biggart – Part lV introduction;
Ch. 15, 16 & 17

Nov. 5: Social and Cultural Capital Carter; Portes (coursepack)

Nov. 12: Applications of Social and Cultural Capital Fernandez Kelly; Portes (coursepack)

Nov. 19: EXAM 2 Due – collected in the professor’s office (GR 2.206) between 10:00 and 10:30 AM