Drew
University ● DESCRIPTION: This course B a critical reflection on how do we know what we know (including as sociologists), what do we acknowledge or reject as knowledge, whom do we respect or despise as authoritative sources of knowledge, who benefits from and which are the casualties of some of our ways of knowing – is taught once every three years around a different axis. This spring of 2005, we will focus on the contributions of the French philosopher, anthropologist and sociologist, Pierre Bourdieu, to both the sociology of knowledge and the epistemology of the social sciences – starting with the intellectual history which took from Marx’s theory of ideology to Bourdieu’s reflexive sociology. GOALS: This course aims toward providing the students with the background necessary to understand (a) The main themes and concepts in Pierre Bourdieu’s epistemological reflections; (b) The theoretical lineage of those epistemological reflections of Bourdieu’s; (c) The scope and limitations of Bourdieu’s theories and concepts for the analysis of human knowledge; and (d) Some of the criticisms leveled thus far toward such theories and concepts. REQUIREMENTS: Students are expected – besides punctual, full attendance at all sessions – to participate in a cooperative way in class and online discussions; to prepare every class meeting by doing at the very least all the assigned readings and thus being prepared to discuss such readings; and, finally, by delivering a monthly research report on the due dates (see instructions further below). Inclusive language is expected in all work in accordance with the practice of both the Caspersen and Theological Schools. Note: Students, most especially PhD candidates, are expected to read well beyond the texts assigned – including further than the readings recommended by the instructor or this syllabus. The students’ written work, as well as their participation in the class, should reflect that outstanding level of engagement with the subject-matter of the course GRADING: Students taking this course for credit will be graded between AH (A+) and C- (or F) according to the quality and degree of satisfaction of the previous requirements. Bear in mind that A means "work of unusual excellence"; B means "superior work above average"; while C means a "satisfactory work of average quality" (and that we all have an interest in fighting grade inflation!). Most students are expected to perform above a C level. Classes missed, late arrivals, early departures, low and/or non-cooperative participation, late and/or low quality essays will indeed EACH contribute to LOWER final grades. Each two (2) late arrivals/early departures will be considered as one class missed; three classes missed (for whatever reasons, justified or not) will entail the failure of the course. Essays will usually be returned with a grade and comments pointing both the strengths and weaknesses justifying such grade (except late essays, which will be given a grade but most probably no comments). Doing only the minimum required, even very well, will rarely earn a student more than a B-. WORKING ROUTINE: Our sessions will often start with doubts, questions and concerns raised among the participants by previous readings, reflections and discussions related to the theme of the course and/or of the week. This sharing (no longer than 10' to 20' in all) shall serve, above all, to steer the instructor's presentation in tune with the quests and interests of the participants. The following 45 to 55' will be taken by the instructor's presentation of a topic previously announced for the session and related to the weekly readings. After a very short "stretch break," the second half of the class will be usually devoted to a discussion of the day's theme – all within a spirit of a humble, participatory and very open inquiry and dialogue. Every student should carefully study beforehand a previously assigned, common set of readings for the session, and should demonstrate such study throughout the class’ discussions. BLACKBOARD: Students are expected to have activated and to regularly use their Drew network connection and e-mail address. These are absolutely necessary, among others, to take advantage of our Blackboard website at https://blackboard.drew.edu. Statistics of use of Blackboard, as well as participation in the discussion board and use of the resources in the site (webpage, other documents, etc.) will all be taken into account when grading each student’s work. You can drop your papers and retrieve them annotated and graded there. You can send messages to any/all of the people in the class through Blackboard, as well as consult and entertain discussions with the class or any of its members, too. Take as much advantage as you can from this tool. MONTHLY RESEARCH PAPERS: Students should present each
month, by the dates listed, one of three (3) drafts of a final
research & reflection paper – or, alternatively,
three shorter monthly papers on three different themes (10-12 pages
each, basically following the format of a final paper, except for length).
You might also substitute a class presentation for the
second draft of your final paper [requirements below]). Larger
papers are to be presented in three "installments" or drafts: LANGUAGES: You are welcome to write your essays in the language that is easier for you, provided the instructor is able to understand it (Besides English, also Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Catalan, and Galician are acceptable in this course). You are also encouraged to take advantage of certain reading materials in other languages, especially if that makes it easier for you and/or helps you prepare for your PhD language exams and/or comps or dissertation research. If FRENCH is one of your required languages, it is advised that you read at least part of Bourdieu’s work in the original; if another language than French is among your requisites, you might want to consult with the professor to find translations and/or secondary works that might serve BOTH to enhance your work in this course and to develop your linguistic skills. ORAL PRESENTATION: An oral presentation on any of the themes listed in the course schedule below might substitute for either the 2nd short paper, or for the 2nd draft (only) of a longer paper. You have to prepare your presentation by (1) clearing its focus, bibliography & date with the instructor at least 3 weeks in advance, and (2) distributing in advance to the class a printed, detailed, one-page outline of your presentation, and a printed, organized, one-page bibliography on the theme of your presentation. Your presentation (not shorter than 20', not longer than 40') should be very clearly organized (with at least an introduction, not less than three key points, and a conclusion). REQUIRED TEXTS (in the order they should begin to be read): The Marx-Engels Reader (ed. Robert Tucker, 2nd edition), New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Co., 1978 (ISBN 0-393-09040-X). Emile Durkheim: The Rules of Sociological Method and Selected Texts on Sociology and its Method (ed. and Introduction by Steven Lukes; trans. W. D. Halls), New York, NY: The Free Press, 1982 (ISBN 0-02-907940-3). Max Weber: The Methodology of the Social Sciences (Trans. and ed. by Edward A. Shils & Henry A. Finch; foreword by E. A. Shils), New York, NY: The Free Press, 1949 (no ISBN). Pierre Bourdieu, Jean-Claude Chamboredon & Jean-Claude Passeron: The Craft of Sociology: Epistemological Preliminaries (ed. by Beate Krais; trans. Richard Nice), Berlin &New York: Walter de Gruyter, 1991 (ISBN 0-89925-555-8). CONTENTS AND SCHEDULE: FIRST HALF: THE FOUNDATIONS IN THE 'CLASSICS' Week 01 – TUE., FEB. 1st: Why epistemology for sociologists of religion? Why Bourdieu? Week 02 – TUE., FEB. 8th: Marx & Engels’ theory of ideology and its sequels. Week 03 – TUE., FEB. 15th: Emile Durkheim’s understanding of sociological knowledge, I. Week 04 – TUE., FEB. 22nd: Emile Durkheim’s understanding of sociological knowledge, II. Write your essay project (or 1st short paper) for this coming week 05!!! Week 05 – TUE., MAR. 1st: Max Weber’s understanding of sociological knowledge, I. ● 1st essay (or project) due today, Tuesday, 3/1 at 7:00 pm !!! Week 06 – TUE., MAR. 8th: Max Weber’s understanding of sociological knowledge, II. Weeks 07 & 08: SPRING & EASTER BREAK – 3/12-27 Week 09 – TUE., MAR. 29th: Epistemology and Methodology. Write your second draft (or 2nd short paper) for this coming week 10!!! Week 10 – TUE., APR. 5th: Part One - The Break. ● Draft of essay due today 4/5 at 1:30 pm !!! Week 11 – TUE., APR. 12th: Part Two – Constructing the Object. Week 12 – TUE., APR. 19th: Part Three – Applied Rationalism. Week 13 – TUE., APR. 26th: Conclusion – Sociology of Knowledge and Epistemology. Write your last draft of the essay (or 3rd short paper) for Tuesday, May 3rd!!! Week 14 – TUE., MAY 3rd: Brief oral presentations of participants’ essays. ● 3rd and last essay due today, Tuesday, May 3rd !!! |