The previous semester’s course in sociological theory traced the development of social thought from the Enlightenment to classical sociology, with particular attention to the foundational contributions of Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Georg Simmel. This course turns to contemporary sociological theory, focusing on theoretical developments since the Second World War. We begin by revisiting the basic opposition between functionalism and conflict theory, and then examine the decline of functionalism’s hegemonic position from the 1960s onward. As this dominance eroded, sociological theory entered a period of pluralization, marked by the emergence of diverse and competing theoretical approaches. In this increasingly crowded theoretical landscape, issues that were largely absent from classical sociology—such as gender, the body, consumption, culture, and symbolism—moved to the center of sociological inquiry. In designing the course, I aim to strike a balance between mainstream, narrowly defined sociological theories developed primarily in the Anglo-American tradition and broader, interdisciplinary forms of social theory associated largely with continental European scholarship. I consider an exclusive focus on either tradition to be analytically limiting. Given the vast scope of contemporary sociological theory, however, the selection of course topics is necessarily selective. Topics are chosen based on their intellectual significance, the instructor’s expertise and teaching priorities, and the availability and quality of instructional materials. As a result, the course should not be read as representing a single, unified account of theoretical development, but rather as a guided exploration of key debates and perspectives in contemporary sociological thought.

By the end of this course, students will be able to: 1/Develop familiarity with major contemporary sociological theories and key concepts, with an understanding of their historical contexts and intellectual foundations. 2/Reflect on the core questions and concerns of sociology, including how social order, inequality, power, culture, and social change are theorized in the contemporary period. 3/Apply contemporary sociological theories to interpret and explain a wide range of social phenomena, linking abstract theoretical frameworks to concrete empirical cases and everyday experiences. 4/Cultivate theoretical thinking skills, including the ability to compare theoretical perspectives, evaluate their assumptions and limitations, and use theory as an analytical tool rather than as a set of fixed doctrines.

This course meets for three 50-minute sessions each week (150 minutes total) and is organized into two parts. The first 100 minutes focus on lectures covering major sociological theories. Students are encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussion during lectures. Weekly presentation slides will usually be uploaded to the online course repository before class. The remaining time is devoted to group discussion, which will be held nine times during the semester. Students will be divided into six groups of roughly equal size to discuss topics related to the sociological theory introduced that day. Discussion questions prepared by the instructor are designed to help students understand key concepts and apply them to everyday social experiences. Discussion questions prepared by the instructor are designed to help students understand key concepts and apply them to everyday social experiences. By working through concrete examples and familiar situations, students can test their understanding of the theories and clarify points that may remain unclear after the lecture. This format also encourages students to learn from one another by comparing interpretations and relating sociological ideas to real-life observations. Teaching assistants (TAs) will rotate among groups, with each TA supervising two groups at a time. Their role is to facilitate discussion, offer clarification, and suggest possible approaches. Active participation is expected of all students, and TAs will assess students’ discussion performance. Given the wide variation in English fluency, students may form English-only, Mandarin-only, or mixed-language discussion groups, depending on their needs. Two in-class written examinations—a midterm and a final—will be held during the semester, each lasting 100 minutes. No digital devices or reference materials are permitted during the exams. Exam questions will be provided in English, and students may choose to write their answers in either English or Mandarin. All questions will be based on the designated weekly readings. Careful reading and a solid understanding of core concepts are essential for success on the exams. All the designated readings will be posted on NTUCOOL. No need for the paper printout. Classroom rules: eating and drinking is permitted, as long as it does not create a nuisance for other people. Use of notebooks or iPads is fine, but that of mobile phones is frown upon. Classes will commence at 9:10 a.m. each week. Students are expected to be present and punctual.

Evaluation Mid-term exam (35%), final exam (35%), and group discussion (30%). Depending on the circumstances, I may take note of students’ attendance. If you need to take leave, please submit your request through the myNTU system. Absences without a legitimate reason may result in a deduction from the semester grade.

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