Abstract

This paper explores various approaches of teaching sociological theory in order to provide a foundation that enhances students’ capacities to think critically, link sociological theory with sociological practice, and apply sociological theory to everyday contexts. It argues for a sociological theory curricula designed to assist students in developing their sociological imagination and a variety of higher order thinking skills—such as application, analysis, and evaluation—as well as their capacity to read each situation sociologically and think about it theoretically. This is seen as an important pedagogical method for helping students to enter the world beyond the university and increase their likelihood of success. Furthermore, sociological theory and the task of theory instructors to explain the reality of how theory can affect change are central in guiding social action and intervention for social change. Information from the field and sociological practice are also required to flow back into the theoretical enterprise.