1. Identify the most important classical sociologists and their major contributions to the field.
    
2. Identify other influential early figures in classical sociology.
    
3. Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of structural/functional, conflict/critical, and inter/actionist theories

Summary

The most important early sociologists were Auguste Comte, inventor of the term sociology; Harriet Martineau; and Herbert Spencer. However, the main theorists of classical sociology are Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Émile Durkheim. Marx focused the majority of his attention on macro issues, particularly the structure of capitalist society. Unlike Marx, Weber did not focus exclusively on the economy but considered the importance of other social structures, particularly religion. Durkheim believed social structures and cultural norms and values exert control over individuals that is not only necessary but also desirable. Among other early sociological theorists, Georg Simmel focused on micro-level issues, specifically interactions among individuals. W. E. B. Du Bois was a pioneering researcher of race in America at the turn of the 20th century. Thorstein Veblen studied consumption and particularly the ways the rich show off their wealth through conspicuous consumption.

In contemporary sociological theory, one form of structural/functional theory, structural-functionalism, focuses on large-scale social phenomena. Structural-functionalists like Robert Merton are concerned about both social structures and the functions and dysfunctions they perform. In contrast, the second structural/functional theory, structuralism, studies the social impact of hidden or underlying structures.

Conflict/critical theories tend to emphasize societal stresses, strains, and conflicts. Conflict theorists believe society is held together by power and coercion. Critical theorists critically analyze culture, especially the culture industry. Feminist theory critiques the social situation confronting women and offers ideas on how their situation can be bettered, if not revolutionized. Queer theory addresses the relationship between heterosexuals and homosexuals but stresses the broader idea that there are no fixed and stable identities that determine who we are. Critical theories of race and racism argue that race continues to matter and raise the issue of oppression at the intersection of gender, race, sexual orientation, and other social statuses. Postmodern theory is similarly critical of society for, among other things, coming to be dominated by simulations. Inter/actionist theories deal with micro-level interactions among people and, to a degree, individual action. Symbolic interactionism, for instance, studies the effect of symbols, including words, on the interaction between two or more people. Ethnomethodology focuses on what people do rather than on what they think and often analyzes conversations. Exchange theory, similar to ethnomethodology, looks not at what people think but at their behavior. Rational choice theory considers behavior to be based on rational evaluations of goals and the means to achieve them.