Department of Sociology

Faculty of the Social Sciences

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
2020/2021 Session
SOC 425: Theory Building and Analysis
Lecturers: Prof. A.O. Olutayo (Coordinator) / Dr. A.O. Omobowale/ Dr. I. Onwuzuruigo / Prof. O.
Omololu
Course Outline
Theories provide epistemological frameworks for sociological inquiry as well as explanatory bases for
sociological investigations. Contending epistemologies, paradigms, theories and methodologies question the
place of sociology as a scientific discipline irrespective of its emphasis on empiricism.
Course objective: The course exposes students to the science nature of sociology, the relationship between
theory and research, inductive and deductive reasonings, the contentions between the objective and subjective
schools of thought and how the dimensions of interpretations and understanding among others contribute
immensely to theory building, theorising and analysis.
Course outcome: Students would be able to identify the challenges associated with theory building and how to
build theories relevant to real life experiences
Module 1
1. Introduction-- Prof. O. Omololu/Prof A.O. Olutayo
2. Sociology as Science and Theory Building-- Dr A.O. Omobowale
3. The Relationship Between Theory and Research-- Dr. A.O. Omobowale
Module 2
4. Paradigms and Paradigmatic Change -- Dr I. Onwuzuruigbo
5. Objectivity versus Subjectivity in Sociology -- Prof A.O. Olutayo
6. Problems of Generalisation -- Dr A.O. Omobowale
Module 3
7. Values, Interests and Scientific Knowledge -- Dr I Onwuzuruigbo
8. Prediction and Probability -- Prof A.O. Olutayo/Prof O. Omololu
9. Interpretation and Understanding -- Dr I Onwuzuruigbo
10. Revision

C.A. 40%
Examination: 60%
70% Class attendance is compulsory

Suggested Readings
Bird, A. (2014). Thomas kuhn. Routledge.
Dobbelaere, K. (1984). Secularization theories and sociological paradigms: convergences and divergences.
Social Compass, 31(2-3), 199-219.
Hegelund, A. (2005). Objectivity and subjectivity in the ethnographic method. Qualitative health research,
15(5), 647-668.
Letherby, G., Scott, J., & Williams, M. (2012). Objectivity and subjectivity in social research. Sage.
Olutayo, A. O. (2014). ‘Verstehen’, Everyday Sociology and Development: Incorporating African Indigenous
Knowledge. Critical Sociology, 40(2), 229-238.
Olutayo, A.O. and Akanle, O. (eds) Sociological Theory for African Students Ibadan: Ibadan University
Press
Omobowale, A.O. (2018) The Visions of Context: Universalism, Modernity and Social Contextual
Interpretations. The Twenty Third Faculty of the Social Sciences Lecture, University of Ibadan, Ibadan,
Nigeria, 4 July 2018.
Omobowale, A.O. and O. Akanle (2020) The Locus of the Subjective Approach in Social Research. African
Ethnography 2: 13-25.
Onwuzuruigbo, I. (2018). Indigenising Eurocentric sociology: The ‘captive mind’and five decades of
sociology in Nigeria. Current Sociology, 66(6), 831-848.
Popper, K. (1995). Karl Popper: philosophy and problems (Vol. 39). Cambridge University Press.
Ritzer, G., & Stepnisky, J. (2021). Sociological theory. SAGE Publications, Incorporated.
Shapin, S. (2012) The Sciences of Subjectivity. Social Studies of Science 42 (2): pp. 170-184