Bachelor
2017/2018
Sociology
Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Compulsory course (Political Science and World Politics)
Area of studies:
Political Science
Delivered by:
Department of Sociology
When:
1 year, 1 module
Mode of studies:
Blended
Instructors:
Zhanna Vladimirovna Chernova,
Larisa Leonidovna Shpakovskaya,
Mateusz Stachura
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Contact hours:
42
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Sociology studies the evolution of human society as well as social relationships, interactions and cultures around the world. It includes a detailed examination of how human beings communicate with each other as well as with society and nature as a whole. Moreover, it tries to analyse social problems and paradoxes that permeate through the human society. As a subject, it has been researched widely in connection with Psychology, History, Political Science, Law, amongst others.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Ability of taking the sociological perspective on the reality.
- Orientation between different tradition of sociological thinking.
- Basic knowledge about the key concepts of sociology as “institutions”, “organisations”, “social structure” and the topics as “inequality”, “modernisation” or “globalisation”.
Course Contents
- What is sociology? Understanding and Explanation.3 Stages of Society & Theory of Positivism. Sociology's Four Theoretical Perspectives: Structural-Functional, Social Conflict, Feminism & Symbolic Interactionism. What Is Sociology? - Definition, Themes & Careers in Sociology. Why Is Sociology Important? Nature and Scope of Sociology – The Sociological Perspective, Origins, and History of Discipline
- Social actions and interactionsWeberian social action. Micro-level Interaction. Social Constructions of Reality. Symbolic Interaction. Roles and Status.
- Social orders and institutionsFamily and Kinship: Patrilocality, Matrilocality & Neolocality. Functions of School: Socialization, Cultural Innovation, Integration & Latent Functions. Religion: Key Concepts and Definitions. Social Constructions of Health: Sick Role, Physician's Role & Profit Motive in Medicine.
- Markets and networksTrust, Information, and Gossip in Social Networks. Market Organization and Individual Behavior: Evidence from Fish Markets. Organizational Genesis, Identity, and Control:
- Organisations and social differentiationFormal Organization Structure: Utilitarian, Normative & Coercive. Leadership Styles and Types: Authoritarian, Laissez-Faire & Democratic . Max Weber: Verstehen and the Rationalization of Society. Social Groups: Dyad and Triad & In-Groups and Out-Groups. Types of Social Groups: Primary, Secondary and Reference Groups. Interactionism in Sociology: Definition & Examples
- Inequality and social changeUnderstanding Social Stratification – Natural inequalities and social inequalities; Hierarchy and differences. Approaches to studying Social Stratification – Functionalist approach, Marxist approach, Weberian approach, Feminist approach. Social Inclusion and Social Exclusion. Social Mobility. Contemporary Issues and debates in stratification
Assessment Elements
- In class participation
- ExamWritten Assignments (executive summary writing exercise, final paper). All written submissions should follow the formatting below: Paper size: US letter/A4 Margins: 1’’/2,54 cm Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt. 1,5 Referencing: Chicago Style
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Levine, D. N. (2015). Social Theory As a Vocation : Genres of Theory Work in Sociology. New Brunswick: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=813233
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Juteau Lee, D. (2003). Social Differentiation : Patterns and Processes. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=468477
- Klaus Weber, & Brayden King. (2013). Oxford Handbook of Sociology, Social Theory and Organization Studies. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.A3D65461
- Turner, B. S. (1999). Classical Sociology. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=251819