• Demonstrate understanding of modern sociological theory based on a careful reading of course material.
• Apply key concepts of the course material in order to analyse the implications of central developments in modern society for public, private and/or civil society organisations.
• Show the analytical implications of applying theoretical perspectives with different assumptions about modern society.
• Write an analytical essay with a clear structure and argument including correct citation and referencing of literature.

Modern society presents a unique environment to private and public organisations. Increasingly, established social hierarchies are challenged, leading to new forms of freedom and domination, just as earlier power relations continue to be in effect under new conditions. Simultaneously, different spheres in society – science, politics, art, education, religion – seem to be at the same time increasingly autonomous and increasingly intertwined.

Unlike other fields of science, sociology has not established a dominant paradigm for understanding these issues. Instead, the most influential sociological theorists rely on very different basic assumptions and methodological approaches to understand modern society.

This course introduces five key sociological theorists that have had lasting influence on sociology and its many sub-disciplines. During the course, we will uncover the basic assumptions, key concepts, and central arguments of the theorists, we will focus on ways that these perspectives have been applied to fields relevant to private and public organisations, and the students will have the opportunity to apply the theoretical perspectives to contemporary cases. Throughout the course, we will focus on how the authors theorise the stratification and differentiation of modern society.

The course builds on the theories that were introduced during Fundamentals of Social Theory.