We will go beyond Blumer's analysis, however, and examine America in the nineties on the issue of race asking if Blumer's argument remains cogent. The last article that we examine in the first two weeks, which might in fact bridge weeks two and three, is that of Barth and Noel. Barth and Noel authored a classic article on race relations theory and its relationship to generic sociological theory. Their article helps the student to understand the nature of theory, the role of theory and the value of theory in the field. The student is introduced to race-cycle theory and its limitations, to consensus theory and its progenitors, structural functionalism and symbolic interactionisrn, to interdependence theory and its relationship to adaptive processes, and finally to conflict theory and issues of social change.
Normative theory refers to theories that are morally-laden and polemical.
Such theories are controversial and usually highly debated. Our reading will begin with the Schuman article. Schuman explores the public view of race relations in America and contrasts it with the social scientific view. The contrast leads him to an examination of free will and determinism, two major philosophical perspectives. The second article that we read is an equally compelling and fascinating one, perhaps even more so.