Sociological Theory

Sociological Theory

We all use theory in our daily live to make an understanding of the world. Sociological theories open the possibility to understand and explain the social reality using a controlled and systematic way. They include concepts, judgements and conclusions that can be sused to describe, understand and explain social behavious, social order and social change. Looking at its history sociology provided a wide spectrum of different sociological theories with wide ranges and explanatory power. This area of study includes the following:

1. the scientific and conceptual fundation of sociology
2. classics of sociological theories (like Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Simmel etc.) and current developments of sociological theory and their historical prerequisites
3. current questions including comparing the explanatory power of different theories including the conceptualization of societal phenomenons and the development of new theoretical perspectives

Sociological theory in Erlangen also aspires to develop theoretical pluralism in research and theaching as well as connecting the development of theories to emprical research.