Foundations Of Sociological Theory: Marx, Weber & Durkheim

Explore Marx, Weber, and Durkheim's classic theories to understand modern social structures, culture, and change.

What you'll learn

Analyze Marx's historical materialism to assess how economic forces shape social institutions and drive societal change.

Apply Weber's interpretive methods including verstehen and ideal types to uncover subjective meanings in social action.

Evaluate Durkheim's theories of social solidarity, anomie, and collective conscience in the context of modern societies.

Critically compare Marx, Weber, and Durkheim to synthesize classical theories for contemporary social analysis.

Requirements

No prior sociology background is required. Learners should have an interest in social theory, be comfortable reading academic texts, and have access to an internet-enabled device.

Description

Immerse yourself in the rich terrain of classical sociological theory with Foundations of Sociological Theory: Marx, Weber & Durkheim. Over the span of this comprehensive course, you will engage with the pioneering works of Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim and discover how their ideas have shaped the discipline. Whether you are new to sociology or seeking to deepen your analytical toolkit, this course will lay the groundwork for rigorous social analysis. Through clear explanations, real world examples, and guided reflections, you will develop a nuanced understanding of the forces that drive social structures, culture, and collective behavior.Beginning with Karl Marx and his materialist conception of history, you will examine the economic roots of social institutions. You will trace the transformations of the Industrial Revolution and learn how modes of production influence social relations and political power. Through lessons on class conflict, alienation, commodity fetishism, and surplus value, you will apply Marx's dialectical method to analyze contemporary issues of inequality and labor exploitation. The chapter concludes with a balanced account of Marx's legacy and major critiques, equipping you to evaluate his relevance today.Next, we shift to Max Weber and the interpretive approach to sociology. You will explore Weber's concepts of verstehen and ideal types to gain empathetic insight into subjective meanings in social action. Lessons on authority types, bureaucracy, rationalization, and the metaphor of the iron cage will illustrate how power and efficiency shape modern life. You will also study the Protestant Ethic thesis to understand the cultural roots of capitalist spirit and engage with criticisms of his framework.In the section on Emile Durkheim, you will delve into the structural basis of social solidarity and the importance of moral regulation. Starting with the division of labor and the contrast between mechanical and organic solidarity, you will analyze how collective conscience binds societies together. Subsequent lessons on anomie, the study of suicide, and the elementary forms of religious life will demonstrate Durkheim's empirical methods and reveal the social causes of individual behavior. This chapter provides tools to assess social cohesion and normlessness in contemporary contexts.Throughout the course, each lesson features engaging video lectures, illustrative case studies, and practical exercises. You will complete quizzes and essay prompts that reinforce critical thinking, and you will participate in discussion prompts designed to deepen your analytical skills. Supplementary reading suggestions and downloadable resources will help you integrate theoretical concepts with empirical research. By practicing the methods of these classical thinkers, you will build confidence in developing your own sociological analyses.By completing Foundations of Sociological Theory, you will acquire the ability to apply historical materialism, interpretive methodology, and structural functionalism to real world phenomena. You will be able to critically compare and evaluate competing theoretical perspectives and communicate your insights clearly. These skills are valuable for academic research, professional work in social sciences, policy analysis, and any context where interpreting complex social processes is essential.Join us on this intellectual journey and equip yourself with the foundational theories that continue to inform social research, policy debates, and public discourse. Enroll today and transform your understanding of society through the enduring insights of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim.

Overview

Section 1: Intro

Lecture 1 Hello

Section 2: Karl Marx and Historical Materialism

Lecture 2 Historical Context Industrial Revolution

Lecture 3 Materialist Conception of History

Lecture 4 Class and Class Conflict

Lecture 5 Alienation and Labor

Lecture 6 Surplus Value and Exploitation

Section 3: Max Weber and Interpretive Sociology

Lecture 7 Historical Context and Rationalization

Lecture 8 Methodology Verstehen and Social Action

Lecture 9 Ideal Types as Analytical Tools

Lecture 10 Types of Authority and Legitimation

Lecture 11 Bureaucracy and Organizational Structure

Lecture 12 Rationalization and the Iron Cage

Lecture 13 The Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism

Lecture 14 Weber’s Legacy and Critiques

Section 4: Emile Durkheim and Social Solidarity

Lecture 15 Historical Context French Sociological Tradition

Lecture 16 Methodology Social Facts and Scientific Sociology

Lecture 17 Division of Labor and Social Cohesion

Lecture 18 Collective Conscience and Moral Regulation

Lecture 19 Anomie and Social Normlessness

Lecture 20 The Study of Suicide Types and Social Causes

Lecture 21 Elementary Forms of Religious Life

Section 5: Summary and Next Steps

Lecture 22 Summary and Next Steps

This course is designed for students, researchers, and professionals in social sciences or related fields who seek a comprehensive grounding in classical sociological theory and analytical skills.