This course introduces and familiarizes sociology students with the major theoretical paradigms as they have emerged and evolved in the classical foundation and contemporary development of the discipline. Accordingly the course is intended to be at once analytical and historical, examining the shifting contexts within which various concepts and approaches have been formulated. We will focus on four sociological traditions, namely, rational choice, class analysis, institutional analysis, and symbolic interactionism. The course will also highlight the relevance and applicability of these perspectives to real social life.

CILO-1: Identify the main ideas of foundational sociological theories. CILO-2: Explain sociological theories in the social and historical contexts when they were developed and their impacts to the development of sociology and social sciences in general. CILO-3: Apply sociological theories to the current social development in Macao, China and beyond. CILO-4: Develop literature review of theoretical texts.