SOC4007 Contemporary Sociological TheoriesBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs DENTAL MEDICINEGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementBologna CommissionNational Qualifications
DENTAL MEDICINE
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 7 QF-EHEA: Second Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 7

Ders Genel Tanıtım Bilgileri

Course Code: SOC4007
Ders İsmi: Contemporary Sociological Theories
Ders Yarıyılı: Spring
Fall
Ders Kredileri:
Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
3 0 3 6
Language of instruction: English
Ders Koşulu:
Ders İş Deneyimini Gerektiriyor mu?: No
Type of course: Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level:
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE:7. Master`s Degree QF-EHEA:Second Cycle EQF-LLL:7. Master`s Degree
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Prof. Dr. ULAŞ SUNATA ÖZDEMİR
Course Lecturer(s):
Course Assistants:

Dersin Amaç ve İçeriği

Course Objectives: The course is designed to familiarize students with recent theories, issues, and debates in the field of contemporary social and critical theory. It offers a critical review of key contemporary theoretical frameworks by examining major themes and intellectual movements. Special attention is given to foundational readings in what are often referred to as 'postmodern' and 'poststructuralist' theories, with a focus on their engagements with modernity, semiotics, the unconscious, feminism, and re-interpretations of Freud, Nietzsche and Marx. Additionally, the course explores the concepts of deconstruction, orientalism, and postcolonialism, investigating how these ideas challenge established paradigms and contribute to ongoing debates in critical theory.

The course also introduces students to current discussions in the field of critical posthumanities, examining how questions of human subjectivity, ethics, and agency are being rethought in the context of technological advances, ecological crises, and the decentering of the human in contemporary theoretical discourses.
Course Content: The course is designed to familiarize students with recent theories, issues, and debates in the field of contemporary social and critical theory. It offers a critical review of key contemporary theoretical frameworks by examining major themes and intellectual movements. Special attention is given to foundational readings in what are often referred to as 'postmodern' and 'poststructuralist' theories, with a focus on their engagements with modernity, semiotics, the unconscious, feminism, and re-interpretations of Freud, Nietzsche and Marx. Additionally, the course explores the concepts of deconstruction, orientalism, and postcolonialism, investigating how these ideas challenge established paradigms and contribute to ongoing debates in critical theory.

The course also introduces students to current discussions in the field of critical posthumanities, examining how questions of human subjectivity, ethics, and agency are being rethought in the context of technological advances, ecological crises, and the decentering of the human in contemporary theoretical discourses.

Teaching Methods and Techniques Used in the Course:
Lecture, Case Study, Collaborative Learning, Discussion, Individual Study, Reading, Project, Technology-Enhanced Learning

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Learning Outcomes
1 - Knowledge
Theoretical - Conceptual
2 - Skills
Cognitive - Practical
3 - Competences
Communication and Social Competence
Learning Competence
Field Specific Competence
Competence to Work Independently and Take Responsibility

Ders Akış Planı

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction to the Course: Going over the Syllabus No preparation
2) Classical Sociological Theory D. P. Johnson (2008) “Classical Stage European Sources of Sociological Theory”, ch 1, in D. P. Johnson Contemporary Sociological Theory: An Integrated Multi-level Approach New York: Springer. (23-51)
3) An Introduction to Postmodern Social Theory G. Ritzer (1997) “Postmodern Social Theory, Sociology and Sociological Theory”, ch 1, in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (1-17) G. Ritzer (1997) “The Development of Postmodern Sociology”, ch 2, in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (18-36)
4) Ferdinand Saussure: Semiotics and Structuralism Ferdinand Saussure, Selection from Course in General Linguistics (8-17, 65-9, 110-9) John E. Joseph “The Linguistic Sign”, Cambridge Companions Online, Cambridge University Press. (59-75) Deadline: Annotation 1
5) Frankfurt School Erich Fromm “The Method and Function of an Analytic Social Psychology”, in A. Arato and E. Gebhardt, eds., The Essential Frankfurt School Reader. (477-96) Wilhelm Reich “The Authoritarian Ideology and the Family in the Mass Psychology of Fascism”, The Mass Psychology of Fascism. (34-74) Max Horkheimer “Authoritarianism and the Family”, in R. N. Anshen, ed., The Family: Its Function and Destiny (359-74) Deadline: Annotation 2
6) Psychoanalysis and Jaques Lacan Kaja Silverman “The Subject”, The Subject of Semiotics. (127-193) Deadline: Annotation 3
7) Final Projesi Toplantıları Final Project Proposal
8) The Postmodern Condition Thedor W. Adorno (1968) “Late Capitalism or Industrial Society?” (1-11) Fredric Jameson (1991) “Postmodernism or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism” in F. Jameson Postmodernism or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism Verso. (1-14) Jean-Francois Lyotard (1979) “The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge” in J.F. Lyotard The Postmodern Condition: A report on Knowledge, Manchester: Manchester University Press. (1-14) Bary Smart “The Postmodern Paradox”, Modern Conditions and Postmodern Controversies. (141-82) Deadline: Annotation 4
9) Jacques Derrida and Deconstruction Elizabeth Gross “Derrida and the Limits of Philosophy” (26-42) Jonathan Culler “Deconstruction”, On Deconstruction: Theory and Criticism After Structuralism. (85-110, 165-91) Activity: Film clip Derrida – Documentary Film (2002) 84 min Deadline: Annotation 5
10) Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari Ronald Bogue “Anti-Oedipus: Nietzschean Desiring Production and the History of Representation”, Deleuze and Guattari. (83-106) Ronald Bogue “The Grand Proliferation: Regimes of Signs and Abstract Machines in Thousand Plateaus”, Deleuze and Guattari. (124-49) Suggested Topic: Deleuze’s Nietzsche Ronald Bogue “Deleuze’s Nietzsche: Thought, will to power, and the eternal return”, Deleuze and Guattari. (15-34) Friedrich Nietzsche: The Will to Power. (104-7) Activity: Film clip Documentary Film: “Zizek!” 71 min Deadline: Annotation 6
11) Michel Foucault: Panopticism, Discipline, Surveillance, Discourse, Body, Population G. Ritzer (1997) “Michel Foucault Part1: Archaeology of Knowledge, Genealogy of Power” in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (37-62) G. Ritzer (1997) “Michel Foucault Part2: Sexuality, Power, and Self” in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (63-75) ? Activity: Film clip Badiou interviews Michel Foucault (1965) 30 min Deadline: Annotation 7
12) Feminist Theory and the Posthuman Condition Elizabeth Gross (1986) “What is Feminist Theory?”, in C. Pateman and E. Gross, eds., Feminist Challenges: Social and Political Theory Boston: Northeastern University Press. (190-204) “Feminist Theory”, in James Farganis, ed., Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism (Dorothy Smith: Women’s Experience as a Radical Critique of Sociology). (376-87) Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak “Feminism and Critical Theory” In Other Worlds: Essays in Cultural Politics. (77-92) Rosi Braidotti “Posthuman Critical Theory”, in D. Banerji and M.R. Paranjape (eds.) Critical Posthumanism and Planetary Futures. (13-32) Activity: Discussion on Film clip The Piano (Jane Campion, 1993) 121 min Deadline: Annotation 8
13) Orientalism and Post-Colonial Theory Leela Gandhi “Edward Said and his Critics” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (64-80) Leela Gandhi “Postcolonalism and Feminism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (81-101) Activity: Discussion on Film clip Zeitgeist: Moving Forward (Peter Joseph, 2011) 201min Deadline: Annotation 9
14) Globalization and Post-Nationalism Leela Gandhi “Imagining Community: The Question of Nationalism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (102-21) Leela Gandhi “One World: The Vision of Postnationalism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (122-40) Deadline: Annotation 10

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: Özel ders okumaları ve görsel materyaller kullanılmaktadır.
D. P. Johnson (2008) “Classical Stage European Sources of Sociological Theory”, ch 1, in D. P. Johnson Contemporary Sociological Theory: An Integrated Multi-level Approach New York: Springer. (23-51)
G. Ritzer (1997) “Postmodern Social Theory, Sociology and Sociological Theory”, ch 1, in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (1-17)
G. Ritzer (1997) “The Development of Postmodern Sociology”, ch 2, in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (18-36)
Ferdinand Saussure, Selection from Course in General Linguistics (8-17, 65-9, 110-9)
John E. Joseph “The Linguistic Sign”, Cambridge Companions Online, Cambridge University Press. (59-75)
Erich Fromm “The Method and Function of an Analytic Social Psychology”, in A. Arato and E. Gebhardt, eds., The Essential Frankfurt School Reader. (477-96)
Wilhelm Reich “The Authoritarian Ideology and the Family in the Mass Psychology of Fascism”, The Mass Psychology of Fascism. (34-74)
Max Horkheimer “Authoritarianism and the Family”, in R. N. Anshen, ed., The Family: Its Function and Destiny (359-74)
Kaja Silverman “The Subject”, The Subject of Semiotics. (127-193)
Thedor W. Adorno (1968) “Late Capitalism or Industrial Society?” (1-11)
Fredric Jameson (1991) “Postmodernism or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism” in F. Jameson Postmodernism or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism Verso. (1-14)
Jean-Francois Lyotard (1979) “The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge” in J.F. Lyotard The Postmodern Condition: A report on Knowledge, Manchester: Manchester University Press. (1-14)
Bary Smart “The Postmodern Paradox”, Modern Conditions and Postmodern Controversies. (141-82)
Elizabeth Gross “Derrida and the Limits of Philosophy” (26-42)
Jonathan Culler “Deconstruction”, On Deconstruction: Theory and Criticism After Structuralism. (85-110, 165-91)
Ronald Bogue “Anti-Oedipus: Nietzschean Desiring Production and the History of Representation”, Deleuze and Guattari. (83-106)
Ronald Bogue “The Grand Proliferation: Regimes of Signs and Abstract Machines in Thousand Plateaus”, Deleuze and Guattari. (124-49)
G. Ritzer (1997) “Michel Foucault Part1: Archaeology of Knowledge, Genealogy of Power” in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (37-62)
G. Ritzer (1997) “Michel Foucault Part2: Sexuality, Power, and Self” in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (63-75)
Elizabeth Gross (1986) “What is Feminist Theory?”, in C. Pateman and E. Gross, eds., Feminist Challenges: Social and Political Theory Boston: Northeastern University Press. (190-204)
“Feminist Theory”, in James Farganis, ed., Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism (Dorothy Smith: Women’s Experience as a Radical Critique of Sociology). (376-87)
Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak “Feminism and Critical Theory” In Other Worlds: Essays in Cultural Politics. (77-92)
Leela Gandhi “Edward Said and his Critics” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (64-80)
Leela Gandhi “Postcolonalism and Feminism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (81-101)
Leela Gandhi “Imagining Community: The Question of Nationalism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (102-21)
Leela Gandhi “One World: The Vision of Postnationalism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (122-40)
Badiou. Ethics.
Ronald Bogue “Deleuze’s Nietzsche: Thought, will to power, and the eternal return”, Deleuze and Guattari. (15-34)
Friedrich Nietzsche: The Will to Power. (104-7)
References: Special course reader as well as visual materials
D. P. Johnson (2008) “Classical Stage European Sources of Sociological Theory”, ch 1, in D. P. Johnson Contemporary Sociological Theory: An Integrated Multi-level Approach New York: Springer. (23-51)
G. Ritzer (1997) “Postmodern Social Theory, Sociology and Sociological Theory”, ch 1, in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (1-17)
G. Ritzer (1997) “The Development of Postmodern Sociology”, ch 2, in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (18-36)
Ferdinand Saussure, Selection from Course in General Linguistics (8-17, 65-9, 110-9)
John E. Joseph “The Linguistic Sign”, Cambridge Companions Online, Cambridge University Press. (59-75)
Erich Fromm “The Method and Function of an Analytic Social Psychology”, in A. Arato and E. Gebhardt, eds., The Essential Frankfurt School Reader. (477-96)
Wilhelm Reich “The Authoritarian Ideology and the Family in the Mass Psychology of Fascism”, The Mass Psychology of Fascism. (34-74)
Max Horkheimer “Authoritarianism and the Family”, in R. N. Anshen, ed., The Family: Its Function and Destiny (359-74)
Kaja Silverman “The Subject”, The Subject of Semiotics. (127-193)
Thedor W. Adorno (1968) “Late Capitalism or Industrial Society?” (1-11)
Fredric Jameson (1991) “Postmodernism or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism” in F. Jameson Postmodernism or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism Verso. (1-14)
Jean-Francois Lyotard (1979) “The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge” in J.F. Lyotard The Postmodern Condition: A report on Knowledge, Manchester: Manchester University Press. (1-14)
Bary Smart “The Postmodern Paradox”, Modern Conditions and Postmodern Controversies. (141-82)
Elizabeth Gross “Derrida and the Limits of Philosophy” (26-42)
Jonathan Culler “Deconstruction”, On Deconstruction: Theory and Criticism After Structuralism. (85-110, 165-91)
Ronald Bogue “Anti-Oedipus: Nietzschean Desiring Production and the History of Representation”, Deleuze and Guattari. (83-106)
Ronald Bogue “The Grand Proliferation: Regimes of Signs and Abstract Machines in Thousand Plateaus”, Deleuze and Guattari. (124-49)
G. Ritzer (1997) “Michel Foucault Part1: Archaeology of Knowledge, Genealogy of Power” in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (37-62)
G. Ritzer (1997) “Michel Foucault Part2: Sexuality, Power, and Self” in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (63-75)
Elizabeth Gross (1986) “What is Feminist Theory?”, in C. Pateman and E. Gross, eds., Feminist Challenges: Social and Political Theory Boston: Northeastern University Press. (190-204)
“Feminist Theory”, in James Farganis, ed., Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism (Dorothy Smith: Women’s Experience as a Radical Critique of Sociology). (376-87)
Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak “Feminism and Critical Theory” In Other Worlds: Essays in Cultural Politics. (77-92)
Leela Gandhi “Edward Said and his Critics” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (64-80)
Leela Gandhi “Postcolonalism and Feminism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (81-101)
Leela Gandhi “Imagining Community: The Question of Nationalism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (102-21)
Leela Gandhi “One World: The Vision of Postnationalism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (122-40)
Badiou. Ethics.
Ronald Bogue “Deleuze’s Nietzsche: Thought, will to power, and the eternal return”, Deleuze and Guattari. (15-34)
Friedrich Nietzsche: The Will to Power. (104-7)

Ders - Program Öğrenme Kazanım İlişkisi

Ders Öğrenme Kazanımları
Program Outcomes
1) Follows national and international developments in clinical practice and behaves scientifically.
2) Adopts professionalism and ethics in professional practices.
3) Communicates effectively with colleagues, patients, patients' relatives, and in interdisciplinary settings.
4) Prioritizes health in individual and community-based dental practices.
5) Applies institutional leadership and management principles in professional practices.
6) Monitors and implements information technologies in professional practices.
7) Considers professional principles in diagnostic and treatment processes in clinical practices.
8) Supports entrepreneurship for the advancement of the profession.
9) Ensures continuous technological and professional development.

Ders - Öğrenme Kazanımı İlişkisi

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) Follows national and international developments in clinical practice and behaves scientifically.
2) Adopts professionalism and ethics in professional practices.
3) Communicates effectively with colleagues, patients, patients' relatives, and in interdisciplinary settings.
4) Prioritizes health in individual and community-based dental practices.
5) Applies institutional leadership and management principles in professional practices.
6) Monitors and implements information technologies in professional practices.
7) Considers professional principles in diagnostic and treatment processes in clinical practices.
8) Supports entrepreneurship for the advancement of the profession.
9) Ensures continuous technological and professional development.

Öğrenme Etkinliği ve Öğretme Yöntemleri

Ölçme ve Değerlendirme Yöntemleri ve Kriterleri

Assessment & Grading

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 14 % 15
Homework Assignments 10 % 30
Presentation 1 % 15
Final 1 % 40
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 40
Total % 100

İş Yükü ve AKTS Kredisi Hesaplaması

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 14 3 42
Study Hours Out of Class 14 2 28
Presentations / Seminar 1 12 12
Homework Assignments 10 3 30
Paper Submission 1 40 40
Total Workload 152