About this course: This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will offer the participants an introduction into the most important classical sociological readings between the 18th and 20th century. Highly influential social science scholars, such as Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkheim, will be discussed during 8 sessions. Combined with small tests, based on the video’s and recommended readings, the participants will be encouraged to dive deeply into the complex texts and get familiar with classical sociological concepts that are still very relevant today.
Created by: University of Amsterdam
Taught by: Bart van Heerikhuizen, Dr.
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
| Commitment | 20-25 hours |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Session 1: Classical Sociological Theory - An Introduction
In this session the field of classical sociological theory will be introduced. It explains the historical roots of sociology. It shows you why classical sociological theories are still important in modern societies and it explains the Aims and Claims of this C...
8 videos, 3 readings, 1 practice quiz
WEEK 2
Session 2: Bernard Mandeville (1670-1733) and Adam Smith (1723-1790)
This session explains the work of Adam Smith. It shows you how a poem written by Bernard Mandeville inspired Adam Smith. Adam Smith's theory shines light on the consequences of industrialization. You will learn what the consequences are of the Division of Lab...
7 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Bernard Mandeville (1670-1733) and Adam Smith (1723-1790)
WEEK 3
Session 3: Auguste Comte (1798-1857)
This session will cover the author of the word “sociology”, August Comte. He often engaged in theorizing the social world in order to attempt to discover invariant laws. Terms like “positivism”, “the law of the three stages” and “Functionalism” are prominent t...
8 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Auguste Comte (1798-1857)
WEEK 4
Session 4: Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859)
Tocqueville’s works shaped 19th-century discussions of liberalism and equality, and were rediscovered in the 20th century as sociologists debated the causes and cures of tyranny and revolutions. His famous work “Democracy in America” remains widely read and ev...
8 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859)
WEEK 5
Session 5: Karl Marx (1818-1883)
The German philosopher, radical economist, and revolutionary leader Karl Marx founded modern "scientific" socialism. His basic ideas, known as Marxism, form the foundation of socialist and communist movements throughout the world. Several topics like alienatio...
8 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Karl Marx (1818-1883)
WEEK 6
Session 6: Émile Durkheim (1858-1917)
When thinking of Durkheim, one thinks of social facts. According to Durkheim these social facts are the social structures and cultural norms and values that are external to, and coercive over, individuals. Durkheim argues that two social facts, in particular, ...
8 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Émile Durkheim (1858-1917)
WEEK 7
Session 7: Max Weber (1864-1920)
This week shines a light on the work of Max Weber. From social action, verstehen, and ideal types to rationalisation and his famous work on the Protestant Ethic. Weber's theory of society tried to account for the manner in which various symbolic factors take p...
8 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Max Weber (1864-1920)
WEEK 8
Session 8: Norbert Elias (1897-1990)
Elias is the last of the Classical Sociologists. Elias' theory focusses on long term trends, with his so called process or figurational sociology. He shows us how the civilisation proces can be explained in terms like Self-Constraint and Figurations.
8 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Norbert Elias (1897-1990)
Classical Sociological Theory Final Test
This is the final test. This test contains 87 question. To pass this test you need to answer at least 57 questions correct.
Graded: Final Test
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University of Amsterdam
A modern university with a rich history, the University of Amsterdam
(UvA) traces its roots back to 1632, when the Golden Age school Athenaeum
Illustre was established to train students in trade and philosophy. Today,
with more than 30,000 students, 5,000 staff and 285 study programmes
(Bachelor's and Master's), many of which are taught in English, and a
budget of more than 600 million euros, it is one of the largest
comprehensive universities in Europe. It is a member of the League of
European Research Universities and also maintains intensive contact with
other leading research universities around the world.
Ratings and Reviews
I loved it, I´m fascinated to understand how processes, theories and these theorists worked.
i began this class to review more of de Tocqueville and still have not had time to do so; however, i still prefer TocQ to all of these other thinkers. Wonderful experience... thank so much!!! <3
Amazing teacher - really great introduction to classical Sociological thought!
Looking forward to the contemporary Sociology course!
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CY
A very intriguing course that looks into the thinking of the great thinkers who had thought much more about how our modern society works. It is, as if, they had used a long binoculars that could help them see the future from the past. I am not merely saying they are predictive in their thinking, in fact, I am saying their theories or observations had actually been so relevant even in today's context. I was never interested in sociology but this course changed me.