Foundations of Modern Social Theory

Explore the foundational texts and thinkers that shaped modern social theory in this comprehensive course examining major works from the dawn of the modern era through the 1920s. Delve into the social and intellectual contexts surrounding pivotal theorists including Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Adam Smith, Marx, Weber, and Durkheim while analyzing their conceptual frameworks, methodological approaches, and lasting contributions to contemporary social analysis. Begin with Hobbes's exploration of authority and social order, then progress through Locke's theories on equality and property rights, Montesquieu's division of powers, and Rousseau's concepts of popular sovereignty and the general will. Examine utilitarian philosophy through John Stuart Mill's work on liberty, investigate Adam Smith's invisible hand theory, and engage deeply with Marx's theories of alienation, historical materialism, class, and exploitation across multiple sessions. Study Nietzsche's perspectives on power and morality alongside Freud's analysis of sexuality and civilization, then transition to Weber's extensive body of work covering Protestantism and capitalism, different forms of authority (traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational), theories of domination, and class analysis. Conclude with Durkheim's foundational concepts including types of social solidarity, anomie theory, suicide studies, and social facts, gaining a thorough understanding of how these classical theorists continue to influence modern sociological thought and analysis.