1. The Sociology of Max Weber Agenda Objective: 1. To understand the sociology of Max Weber and its contributions to the field of sociology. Schedule: 1.Discussion of Weber’s Theory Homework 1. Read “Weber Packet” & keep track of evidence of your work. 2. Critical Thinking Assignments: Due Wed 10/17 3. Marx, Weber, Durkheim Paper: Due Wed 10/24

2. Max Weber 1864-1920 German Ph.D. in Economic and Legal History Professor of Economics at Freiburg University in Germany Resigned after suffering a series of nervous breakdowns. Became an associated editor of the Archives for Social Science and Social Welfare and worked as a private scholar for the rest of his life. Was a consultant to the drafting of the Weimar Constitution and was one of the key authors of Article 48. Major Works –The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1905) –Economy and Society (1922; published posthumously)

3. Historical Context Weber’s writing should be understood in light of two historical contexts: –The Industrial Revolution –The Rise of Positivism

4. Context 1: The Industrial Revolution and The Irrationality of Rationality Like Marx, Weber was troubled by industrialization and the emergence of capitalism. He too focused much of his writing on what the effects this new economic system would have on man and society. Weber was particularly concerned with the emergence of rationality and its effects on the human experience.

5. Context Two: Positivism and Sociology as Subjectivity Weber wrote during the time in which positivism was gaining prominence as the methodology of the social sciences. Weber opposed positivism Weber wanted to study society through the subjective experiences of individuals and cultures. Therefore, for Weber, if we want to understand the world around us, we must understand the subjective individual experience (verstehen) Unlike Marx, he says we cannot have a grand, objective scientific analysis of society.

6. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

7. The Spirit of Capitalism

8. Culture/Ideology/ Beliefs/ Values Economics/ Material Conditions Culture/Ideology/ Beliefs/ Values Economics/ Material Conditions Marx Weber

9. Predestination

11. Asceticism No fun ever! Just praying!!

12. The Protestant Ethic Work hard and accumulate wealth as a sign of your salvation.

13. How the Protestant Ethic Leads to the Sprit of Capitalism Predestination Leads to Uncertainty of Salvation Asceticism Leads to denial of pleasure and emphasis on labor Protestant Ethic Work hard and accumulate wealth as a sign of salvation Spirit of Capitalism Accumulate wealth for its own sake (over time)

14. Macro Level Micro Level Culture Protestant Religion Structure Capitalist Economy Individual Level Beliefs and Values Individual Economic Behaviors Weber’s Sociology Developed by James Coleman (The Coleman Boat)

15. Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Discussion We will watch an excerpt from movie Full Metal Jacket. As you watch think about how the experience of the marines and bootcamp is an example of Weber’s argument. Before we start: Why do people go to war?

16. On Bureaucracy from Economy and Society

17. Business Organization Within each department, there are specific roles and tasks that need to be accomplished.

18. Weber’s Bureaucracy

19. Bureaucracy Activity Part One –We will watch a clip from the movie Office Space. –Identify how the workplace organization in the film epitomizes Weber’s six characteristics of bureaucracy. Part Two –Think back to a job you have held, or if you have never worked, a club/group/ association with which you have been involved. –Identify how your workplace organization epitomizes Weber’s six characteristics of bureaucracy. Part Three –Discussion… Hierarchy of Authority ImpersonalityWritten Rules of Conduct Promotion Based on Achievement Specialized Division of Labor Focus on Efficiency

20. The Iron Cage

21. “Class, Status, Party” from Economy and Society

22. Social Stratification

23. Stratification According to Marx Means of Production (Position in the Class Structure Determined in Relation) (One Dividing Line) Bourgeoisie (Own the Means of Production) Proletariat (Do Not Own the Means of Production)

24. Stratification According to Weber Class (Economic Stratification) (Dividing Line One) Status (Social Stratification) (Dividing Line Two) Party (Political Stratification) (Dividing Line 3) Person A Person B

25. Weber’s Definition of Class Relation to the Labor Market Relation to the Commodities Market Relation to the Means of Production Relation to the Capital Market Class Situation Class = People with Same Class Situation

26. “Class, Status, Party” Discussion We will watch an excerpt from the television series The Sopranos. Where do you see the complex stratification lines of class and status?

27. Macro Level Micro Level Culture Protestant Religion Structure Capitalist Economy Individual Level Beliefs and Values Individual Economic Behaviors Weber’s Sociology Developed by James Coleman (The Coleman Boat)