Sociology 401
Sociological Theory
Spring 2002
Dr. Scott SchafferSecond Paper Assignment - Weber and Durkheim
Due Date: Thu March 14/2002 at the start of class. Absolutely no late papers will be accepted without a compelling and well-documented excuse provided in advance of the due date.
Criteria: This paper is to be a minimum of 5 (five) full and complete pages; there is no maximum length for the paper, so you should write until your paper is fully developed. Your paper must be typewritten, double-spaced, on 8 1/2" by 11" paper in 10- or 12-point font with 1 1/4" left and right margins and 1" top and bottom. Your paper must have a cover page, on which a creative title ("Second Paper Assignment" is simply not creative enough), your name, the topic number to which you're responding, and any other pertinent information should appear; your name should not appear anywhere else in the paper.
Your paper must be spell- and grammar-checked; papers that have copious errors will be lose one full letter grade, and may be returned for editing; if it is returned, you have up to three calendar days to make revisions, and after that, your paper will not be accepted.
You should follow all guidelines in the "How to Write a Schaffer Paper" handout. And finally, no direct quotations are permitted in this paper, and no outside sources are permitted (including Giddens or my lecture notes); any materials you use to support your argument must be paraphrased and cited following the guidelines in the paper-writing handout.
Assignment: You are to develop an argument in response to one of the two following topics. Ensure that your paper is not limited to a recitation of the writings of Weber or Durkheim or my lectures, but that you use those materials to develop an argument that clearly expresses your thoughts on the matter and clearly responds to all the questions in each topic.
Please note that each paper contains an outline within it. You should not think of the latter two questions as "one sentence" questions; rather, your response to them should be an argumentative statement supported by paraphrased evidence from the book. In any case, be sure to fully explicate your reasoning behind the claims you make and to provide all the material that went into your thought process.
The Topics:
1. Using Sewell's definition of agency as a filter, discuss both Weber and Durkheim's statements regarding agency in the modern social structure. Then, extend their arguments to discuss each author's ideal version of agency (the version they would want to see in existence) and how each author would change the social order to bring about this type of agency. Whose version of both real and ideal agency reflects the kind of power you would like to see individuals have, and why?
2. Using one of Sewell's concepts of structure (either the "opposite pole" or "continuum") as a filter, outline both Weber and Durkheim's arguments on the structure of current society. Then, extend their arguments to discuss the justness of the current social system, making sure to show how you develop each author's idea of justness. Whose analysis of the justness or unjustness of the current social structure (as filtered through Sewell's concept of structure) do you find comes closest to how you think power should operate, and why?
The Outline: This outline serves merely as a breakdown of the paper topics, and is provided for your general guidance. It also details all of the steps you're expected to go through in the development of your response to the topic you choose; please pay careful attention to this. Tasks specific to a particular topic are indicated by Q1 or Q2.
I. Introductory paragraph
A. Attention-grabbing statement
B. Thesis statement/one-sentence response to the big question: "In this paper, I will argue that I find..."
C. Path statement: "In order to argue this, I will first... then... then..."
II. Structure/agency paragraph
A. Definition of agency or structure/version of structure you choose (continuum or opposite pole)
B. Criteria by which you would recognize agency or structure
C. Support from Sewell article for your claims about (B)
III. Weber section
A. Basic statement about agency (Q1) or structure (Q2) in Weber's analysis of the current social order
B. Development of this claim through discussion of elements of current social order
C. Statement of ideal version of agency (Q1) or justness of current social structure (Q2)
D. Development of this claim through discussion of elements of Weber's analysis of current social order and support from Protestant Ethic for this claim
IV. Durkheim section
A. Basic statement about agency (Q1) or structure (Q2) in Durkheim's analysis of the current social order
B. Development of this claim through discussion of elements of current social order and support from On Morality and Society for this claim
C. Statement of ideal version of agency (Q1) or justness of current social structure (Q2)
D. Development of this claim through discussion of elements of Durkheim's analysis of current social order and support from On Morality and Society for this claim
V. Critical evaluation section
A. One sentence response to the big question
B. Development of this response - elements you've discussed in the paper, textual support, and comparison of the argument you find more compelling with the other's argument
C. Extension of these remarks - think about the implications of your claims in this section and what they might mean as far as this course or society goes