This course will retrace the development of the sociological perspective in Western thought. You will read, in the original, many of the landmark works of the theorists who have shaped the contours of the discipline. You will confront the timeless issues raised by life in a social context: how to make sense of the elusive patterns which govern social interaction and social development; how to reconcile the mutual rights and obligations of individuals on the one hand and the social group on the other; how to balance the conflicting needs for social order and social change. You will be asked to hone your skills of analysis and self-expression as part of your efforts to synthesize these thinkers' ideas and construct meaningful arguments about the nature of collective existence. The purpose of the course is to acquaint you with the origins of the discipline of sociology in its "classical" period; to present a systematic overview of the ideas, as well as a brief introduction to the intellectual and social background, of its outstanding personalities; and to leave you with an appreciation for the imprint which the discipline's history has placed on our contemporary understanding of the social world.