490A HISTORY AND SOCIAL THEORY (Oberdeck)

A readings course in classic and contemporary social and cultural theory for history graduate students.  Will include readings of classic "modern" theorists of social structure and process (Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Simmel), twentieth century approaches to culture and society (Frankfurt School, Habermas, Gramsci, Geertz) and recent theories of social construction and fragmentation (postmodernism; Foucault; post-colonialism; theories of gender, race, and identity; and theories of transnationality and spatial relations).  Class participation and three 10-12 page papers required -- two on course readings, one on student's choice of historiographical examples applying theoretical approaches discussed in class.