Western Sydney University: Critical Reflection on Social Theories

This essay presents a critical reflection on the role of social theories in understanding the social world, drawing upon the author's learning during a sociology course. It discusses premodernity and postmodernity social theories, with a focus on the impact of modernization and the shift from religious faith to rational thinking. The essay also delves into Marxist theories concerning labor oppression and highlights critical feminist theory, relating it to personal experiences and statistical data on gender discrimination in the workplace. The author expresses a keen interest in further studying feminist theory to address gender inequality and harassment. The essay concludes that social theories provide a framework for understanding the social world, emphasizing the potential of feminist theory to mitigate gender-based issues. Desklib provides access to a wide range of study resources, including past papers and solved assignments, to support students in their academic endeavors.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1SOCIOLOGY
Critical reflection on the place of theory in understanding the social world
In sociology, theories or statement can be defined as the major concepts that have the
potential to provide us with a vivid knowledge about how the social work operates. While some
theories attempts to enhance our knowledge about the possible outcome of the future events in
the social world, other theories function as a function as broad perspective which guides further
sociological analyses (Hiebert, 2018). In the following paragraph, I will discuss about the impact
of social theory on my understanding of the social world. I will discuss about different
theoretical perspective and it similarity with my practical life. Along with that, I will also discuss
about the theories on which I will like to pursue further study.
During my course, I had gained knowledge about the premodernity as well as post
modernity social theories. The term modernity is used in sociology for describing the modern
period that initiated in Europe a good number of years ago. Some of the major factors associated
with the modernization of the society include industrialization, urbanization and establishment of
a powerful central government and administration (Cooper & Burrell, 2015). Another major
factor that ensured the arrival of modernity in the society included the shift of individuals from
believing on religious faith, magic as well as superstition to scientific and rational thinking. The
social theory on modernization helped me to develop an effective understanding of the gradual
growth in human civilization after the emergence of modernity. I can definitely relate the theory
with my practical experience. For instance, with the emergence of internet, I evidenced a rapid
change in technological advancement. As per my opinion, rapid modernization imposes impact
on the behaviour of the members in the society.

2SOCIOLOGY
When it comes to post modernism, it refers to a new way of thinking (Granter, 2016). The post
modernism theory helped me to understand the social changes in the world that includes changes
due to globalization, impact on the consumer society, cultural diversity and hybridity.
During this course, I also gained knowledge about the theories associated with Marxism.
The theories of Marxism deals with the oppression faced by the labourers. Marxist theory argues
that under capitalism, the chief aim of the ruling class is to extract profit by not paying the
workers full value of their labour. This theory provided me with a clear idea of oppression and
how oppression exists in the society.
Amongst all the social theories, the social theory that enhanced my interest to a great
extent is the critical feminist theory. In the session on Marxism, I gained knowledge about how
capitalism impose impact on oppression as well as exploitation of female labour. Oppression
against women comprises a large portion of the Marxist theory (Yates, 2016). I can relate the
mentioned theory to a great level with my practical experience. According to a survey, one in
three Australian working women feel that they have been subjected to gender discrimination in
workplace. When it comes to the sexual harassment, one out of 10 women have experience
sexual harassment in Australia. This made me understood that it is highly crucial to implement
the feminist theory in the society in order to diminish and eventually eradicate the suffering of
women.
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that social theories act as a framework for
our understanding of social world. Considering the fact that an appropriate implementation of the
feminist theory in the society possesses the potential to reduce gender discrimination and

3SOCIOLOGY
harassment against women, I am planning to pursue my learning on this aspect of sociology in
future.

4SOCIOLOGY
Reference List
Cooper, R., & Burrell, G. (2015). Modernism, postmodernism and organizational analysis: An
introduction. In For Robert Cooper, 149-175.
Granter, E. (2016). Critical social theory and the end of work. Routledge.
Hiebert, D. (2018). " The Massive Subjective Turn:" Sociological Perspectives of
Spirituality. Journal of Sociology and Christianity, 8(2), 55-75.
Yates, L. (2016). What happens when feminism is an agenda of the state? Feminist theory and
the case of education policy in Australia. Discourse, 14(1), 17-29.