Sociological theory construction and model building

Basic features of problem-driven and systematic (deductive) theory construction, model building, and explanation in social science are illustrated using, among other things, macro- and micro-features of explanatory models as well as macro-micro-macro transitions. Basic micro-models include an introduction to principles of rational choice theory, game theory, behavioral models and applications of theoretical tools in sociology (these models are explicitly or implicitly used in many fields of sociology, including fields such as the interface of stratification and households or social networks and social capital that receive systematic attention in other SaSR-courses). Systematic reconstructions of social science theory emphasize explanations of macro-phenomena based on micro-models of behaviour and macro-micro-macro transitions. Applications will focus on key problems of sociology (cohesion and inequality), with an emphasis on paradigmatic macro-phenomena related to these problems such as effects of networks and institutional arrangements (organizations) on cohesion and inequality, and, conversely, effects of cohesion and inequality on the dynamics of networks and institutional arrangements. Generating testable hypotheses on macro-phenomena from underlying theory and the ability to assess available literature with respect to the 'performance' of such hypotheses in empirical research is a topic of the course.