1/ Social theory without superheroes: Why should teach theory, not canon. This thread is based on this nice interview by @kylethegreen https://thesocietypages.org/theory/2021/02/06/fabio-rojas-on-theory-for-the-working-sociologist/

2/ In sociology, we often teach theory through canon. I saw we ditch canon and focus on just the theory. Why?

3/ Most students sign up for sociology because they are interested in society, not history of social thought.

4/ A few students may understand theory by reading 300 pages of Marx, but most won't. There is no evidence that learning history of X helps you actually be better at X.

5/ Even worse, teaching via canon is essentially appeal to authority. We set up a pantheon of heroes. We don't want that and we don't need it.

6/ If we don't teach theory via classic text or canon, how should we do it? Simple. Just be up front and say, X is what soc is about. My book is my attempt to do that. https://cup.columbia.edu/book/theory-for-the-working-sociologist/9780231181655

7/ Teaching theory via theory(!) and not canon or classic text makes your life easy as a teacher. You think idea or author X is important? Just add it in. As long as it illustrates your theory point, it's good. No need to have some giant debate over canon.

8/ Bottom line: Sociology has very important ideas. Teach them. Do not teach what we did in 1922. Trust me, you will be better off that way.