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Course Syllabus

Bachelor 2021/2022

Sociological Theory

Type: Compulsory course (Sociology and Social Informatics)
Area of studies: Sociology
Delivered by: Department of Sociology
Where: Saint-Petersburg School of Social Sciences
When: 3 year, 4 module
Mode of studies: offline
Open to: students of one campus
Instructors: Ilya Ermolin
Language: English
ECTS credits: 3
Contact hours: 40

Course Syllabus

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The course is devoted to the main theoretical approaches in sociology. Students get acquainted with thinkers whose focus is classical sociological theory and its application to different spheres of interest.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • develop the skill of interpreting empirical data applying different sociological theories
  • understand the complexity of social systems and gain ability of critical thinking on social issues in light of the key concepts underlying major sociological theories
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Ability to use sociological theory for development of sociological research design, be able to differentiate social actions and social behavior, explain social actions through social mechanisms, understand the link between micro-actions and macro-outcomes, generate simple middle-range theories, develop academic skills in reading, writing, and presentation.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Introduction. Social Facts.
  • Methodological issues on sociology, part I. Explanation and understanding
  • Poverty.
  • Nature of social explanation. Theories of the middle range
  • Methodological issues on sociology, part II. “Micro”-“macro” dilemma
  • City and Inequality.
  • Process of instantiation. Concepts and nomological networks
  • Methodological issues on sociology, part III. Materialism vs idealism
  • Urban Institutions and Inequality
  • Thought experiments in social science. The nature of relationships
  • Special theories, part I. Rational choice theory and its application
  • Migration, ethnicity, inequality.
  • Causal relations. Defining causality
  • Special theories, part II. Structuralism and P.Bourdieu’s theory
  • Education and Inequality.
  • Developing causal diagrams from scratch
  • Special theories, part III. Weberian approach
  • Social stratification. Class and status.
  • Role of emotions in (rational) choice
  • Special theories, part IV. Institutionalism
  • Social stratification. Forms of capital.
  • Nature and role of beliefs
  • Special theories, part V. Functionalism and the systems theory
  • Social stratification. Reputational approach.
  • Preferences (desires)
  • Inequality and Social Mobility.
  • Opportunity structure
  • Elites.
  • Social norms
  • Inequality and gender.
  • Inequality and consumption.
  • Family and marriage.
  • State and political institutions.
  • Total and disciplinary institutions.
  • Medical institutions and health.
  • School systems.
  • Religion.
  • Universities and higher education.
  • Art and cultural production.
  • Cultural industries and fashion.
  • Mass Media.
  • Socialization.
  • Civilization.
  • Transformations of sexuality.
  • Revolutions and social movements.
  • Urbanization.
  • Migration and integration.
  • Structural functionalism.
  • Symbolic interactionism.
  • Ethnomethodology.
  • Social networks.
  • Conflict theory.
  • Social capital.
  • Group.
  • Organization.
  • Social action.
  • Institution.
  • Status.
  • Role.
  • Norms.
  • Values.
  • Identity.
  • Trust.
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Project paper garde
    To successfully participate in seminars students are expected to submit group project paper to a research assistant.
  • non-blocking Collective presentation grade
    To successfully participate in seminars students are expected to present group project during a class.
  • non-blocking Classroom discussions grade
    To successfully participate in seminars students are expected to participate in classroom discussions.
  • non-blocking Test grade
    Individual knowledge is assessed through regular tests with open questions. Students are expected to sit up 3 tests in 1-2 modules.
  • non-blocking Intermediary exam grade
    Students are expected to sit up an intermediary written exam with open questions on the topics covered by the course.
  • non-blocking Final exam
    Students are expected to sit up an written final exam (4th module) with open questions on the topics covered by the course. Exam is scheduled on June, 20, 11.00 and organized as written test with open-ended questions in LMS (section “Проекты”). Answers should be submitted no later than 11.40.
  • non-blocking Activities in class
  • non-blocking Presentation of a report
  • non-blocking Final exam 3rd year
  • non-blocking Project paper grade
    Project paper grade is 0,16 of 1-2 module grade and 0,2 of 3-4 module grade
  • non-blocking Final exam 1st year (4 module)
    Exam is scheduled on June, 20, 11.00 and organized as written test with open-ended questions in LMS (section “Проекты”). Answers should be submitted no later than 11.40.
  • non-blocking Intermediary written exam (2nd module)
    Students are expected to sit up an intermediary written exam (2nd module) with open questions on the topics covered by the course
  • non-blocking Classroom discussion
    Classroom discussion grade is 0,08 of 1-2 module grade and 0,1 of 3-4module grade
  • non-blocking Test grade
    Test grade is 0,4 of 1-2 module grade and 0,5 of 3-4 module grade. Individual knowledge is assessed through regular tests with open questions. Students are expected to sit up 3 tests in 1-2 modules & 3 tests in 3-4 modules.
  • non-blocking Collective presentation grade
    Collective presentation grade is 0,16 of 1-2 module grade & 0,2 3-4 module grade. To successfully participate in seminars students are expected to present group project during a class (10-12 minutes presentation).
  • non-blocking 3-4 module grade
  • non-blocking Activities in class
  • non-blocking Hometasks
  • non-blocking Tests
  • non-blocking Final exam 2nd year
  • non-blocking Activities in class
  • non-blocking Presentation of a report
  • non-blocking Final exam 3rd year
  • non-blocking Collective presentation grade
    Collective presentation grade is 0,16 of 1-2 module grade & 0,2 3-4 module grade. To successfully participate in seminars students are expected to present group project during a class (10-12 minutes presentation).
  • non-blocking 3-4 module grade
  • non-blocking Midterm exam
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • 2019/2020 2nd module
    0.2 * Intermediary exam grade + 0.08 * Classroom discussions grade + 0.16 * Test grade + 0.16 * Collective presentation grade + 0.4 * Test grade
  • 2019/2020 4th module
    0.2 * Test grade + 0.08 * Project paper garde + 0.04 * Classroom discussions grade + 0.4 * 2019/2020 2nd module + 0.2 * Final exam + 0.08 * Collective presentation grade
  • 2020/2021 1st module
    0.1 * Activities in class + 0.3 * Hometasks + 0.3 * Midterm exam + 0.3 * Tests
  • 2020/2021 2nd module
    0.3 * Hometasks + 0.1 * Activities in class + 0.3 * Tests + 0.1 * 2020/2021 1st module + 0.2 * Final exam 2nd year
  • 2021/2022 4th module
    0.3 * Final exam 3rd year + 0.35 * Activities in class + 0.35 * Presentation of a report

Authors

  • TENISHEVA KSENIYA ALEKSEEVNA
  • SAFONOVA MARIYA ANDREEVNA
  • SOKOLOVA NADEZHDA ALEKSANDROVNA
  • ERMOLIN ILYA VASILEVICH