Sociology of Community
SOCIO 832
Spring 1999 - T 12:00-2:30
Waters 201A

Professor W Richard Goe
202-D Waters Hall
Telephone: 532-4973
E-mail: goe@ksu.edu

Office hours: T 10:00-12:00 AM or by apt.

Course Description:

The objective of this course is to provide knowledge of the major theoretical paradigms and research debates in the field of community sociology. The examination of community represent one of the oldest fields of inquiry within the discipline of sociology. The course will survey some of the "classic" pieces of literature in the field as well as provide an overview of more recent theoretical developments and debates in community sociology. We will critically examine "community" as a scientific concept, the historical transformation of community, the ecological and the urban political-economy paradigms, and the social forces that are currently effecting community change in advanced industrial nations.

Required Texts:

1) Book of readings. These readings are available on reserve at Claflin Books & Copies, 1814 Claflin Road. While you have to make it your own copies, it will cut the cost considerably.

Textbooks:

2) Hawley, Amos H. 1986. Human Ecology. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
3) Castells, Manuel. 1991. The Informational City. New York: Basil Blackwell.

Grading and Course Requirements:

Grades will be determined by four course requirements: (a) classroom participation (10%); (b) mid-term exam (30%); (c) final exam (30%); and (d) research paper (30%).

Classroom participation -- Students are expected to read the required readings for each topic section and be prepared to discuss them in class. While a lecture format will be utilized, the class will also utilize a Socratic format. A series of questions will be asked about each reading in class. Students will be assigned a grade on their classroom participation based upon their ability to answer these questions as well as contribute to the discussion of issues raised in class. Thus, it is critical that you read all assigned readings before class and be prepared to respond to questions on the material asked by the professor. This will count toward 10% of your grade.

Exams -- Both the midterm and final exams will be take home exams. The exams will consist of essay questions on the material covered under each topic section. You will be given one week to complete each of the exams.

Research Paper -- Students are expected to write a research paper that applies a community theory examined in class toward analyzing a community issue in the "real" world. This involves: (a) identifying a researchable issue (e.g. process of change or development, social problem, etc.) within a defined community (examples could include overurbanization in Mexico City, the impact of the development of the semiconductor industry on Boise, Idaho, or the impact of outmigration on rural Kansas communities); followed by (b) the selection of a theory of community that applies to understanding the issue. In essence, the theory provides the lens through which the issue is analyzed. International students are encouraged to apply a community theory to a community issue in their native country. The instructor will assist students in this process. Topics for these papers should be finalized by February 23. Papers should be typed and limited to 20 pages or less. The final draft of the paper is due on May 7. Students are welcome to submit drafts for comments up to May 4.

Determination of Grade -- Final grades will be based on averaging students performance on the 2 exams and the research paper plus a rating of classroom participation.

Policy regarding final papers & incomplete grades: It is my policy that students who complete all their work on time should be rewarded above those who do not. It is strongly encouraged that students turn in the final paper on the due date (May 7). Under special circumstances, I will give a student an incomplete with the opportunity to receive full credit for the final paper as long as it is turned in by June 15, 1999, five weeks after the final exam. Students who opt to take an incomplete and turn in their papers between June 15, 1999 and September 1, 1999 will automatically receive a 10% reduction on their grade on the paper. Those taking an incomplete and turning in their final papers between September 1, 1999 and December 31, 1999 will receive an automatic 20% reduction on their grade on the paper. Those turning their final paper in 2000 or beyond will receive an automatic 30% reduction.

Topic Outline: Required readings are listed under each topic section

I. Community: Anatomy of an Ambiguous Concept

Required Readings:
Ferdinand Tönnies. [1893] 1957. "The Summing Up. Gemeinschaft und Gesellschaft." Pp. 237-259 in Community and Society. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Books.

Joseph Gusfield. 1975. "Introduction," "Community and Society," and "The Social Construction of Community." Pp. xiii-xvii, 1-22, and 23-52 in Community: A Critical Response. New York: Harper & Row.

George A. Hillery. 1955. "Definitions of Community: Areas of Agreement." Rural Sociology 20: 111 -123.

Claude S. Fischer. 1977. "Perspectives on Community and Personal Relations." Pp. 1-16 in Networks and Places: Social Relations in the Urban Setting. New York: The Free Press.

Albert Hunter. 1978. "Persistence of Local Sentiments in Mass Society." Pp. 134-156 in David Street (ed.), Handbook of Contemporary Urban Life. San Francisco: Josey-Bass.

Barry Wellman. 1979. "The Community Question: The Intimate Networks of East Yorkers." American Journal of Sociology 84: 1201-1231.

Tilly, Charles. 1973. "Do Communities Act?" Sociological Inquiry 43: 209-240.

Etzioni, Amitai. 1996. "The Responsive Community: A Communitarian Perspective." American Sociological Review 61: 1-11.