Face-to-face , first term, 30 hours of theory.

First term
Friday from 14:00 to 16:00 at 43 Botanique 1

French

The course is an in-depth introduction to sociology. Rather than surveying the field, it explores some of the field's classics and key-authors. By doing this, it aims at raising the students' awareness about the stakes that are at play in each one of the sociological undertakings. These stakes are not only theoretical nor practical; they are also political and even existential. Debates and divergences amongst sociologists will thus be emphasized. More generally, the course aims at giving the students the necessary reference points and meta-understanding of sociology for their future orientation in this field.

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The course is divided into two parts. The first part presents the founders of the discipline, i.e. those that are referred to today (Durkheim, Weber, and to a lesser extend, Marx, Tarde, Simmel and the Chicago School). The second part presents the traditions and authors that are at play on today's academic scene: critical sociology (Bourdieu, Passeron, Wacquant, and others); symbolic interaction- ism (Becker, Goffman, and others); actor-network-theory (Hennion, Latour, and others).

Each part will open up to recent publications and reflexions, so as to show the relevance of all theories and authors involved. For in- stance, Durkheim's work will be complemented by Schnapper's work; Weber's by Boltanski & Chiappello's, or Senett's work; The Chicago School by Tarrius' work; Latour's by Sassen's work; etc. Moreover, documentaries' excerpts will be shown in course.

Lectures & compulsory reading (see compilation of texts). Students must take note during classes. Lecture notes will be enhanced by means of a summary (see syllabus) but that summary can by no means replace the lectures. As for the compulsory reading, students are advised to read throughout the semester, as soon as the lectures start, for the reading helps to understand the course, and vice versa.

Written exam. The exam assesses the student's understanding of the course's contents, as given in class, as well as the contents of the compulsory reading.

See the compilation of texts made available to students through the reprography's desk. Texts are excerpts taken form classics by Durkheim, Weber, Bourdieu, Passeron, Sutherland, Goffman, Beckerand Latour & Woolgar. This is compulsory reading! As for optional reading, references will be given throughout the lectures.

The syllabus and the compilation of texts (compulsory reading) will be available at the Reprography as well as on esaintlouis.