Бакалавриат
2023/2024
Современная социолoгия
Лучший по критерию «Полезность курса для расширения кругозора и разностороннего развития»
Лучший по критерию «Новизна полученных знаний»
Статус:
Курс обязательный (Международная программа «Международные отношения и глобальные исследования»)
Направление:
41.03.05. Международные отношения
Кто читает:
Факультет мировой экономики и мировой политики
Где читается:
Факультет мировой экономики и мировой политики
Когда читается:
2-й курс, 1 модуль
Формат изучения:
без онлайн-курса
Охват аудитории:
для своего кампуса
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
3
Контактные часы:
42
Course Syllabus
Abstract
One of the central topics in contemporary sociology is the structural configuration of social ties and the effects of social differentiation. Starting from the 'Social geometry' of George Simmel and the 'Sociometry' of Jacob Moreno, the expansion of the formal sociology of social ties gave rise to the notions of small group and small world, effect of triad, bonding and bridging social capital, strong and weak ties, network closure, structural holes, brokerage, etc. These new concepts have been applied to various social phenomena, from childbirth and family ties, job search and matching, religious ties, the diffusion of innovations, and international relations. They provide students with a novel vision of the structure of modern social institutions, using methods of analysis and visualization of social networks. The course introduces students to basic knowledge about the structural configuration and role of network ties in the modern economy and society.
Learning Objectives
- Students are expected to acquire a fair understanding of the relationships between social and economic sciences and their role in contemporary world. Social-scientific knowledge is organized in texts which require specific techniques of reading. Students will learn to read and decipher the social-scientific texts, but also to develop their own judgments and express them in written academic texts.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- train skills of academic presentation and co-operation
- Identify the main concepts and schools in contemporary social theory, with context of development of modern social thought
- Apply basic conceptual tools of contemporary sociology for studying basic problems of contemporary social life
- Train skills of discussion, critical analysis and evaluation of texts in social sciences
Course Contents
- Formal Sociology of George Simmel
- Relational Sociology
- Social Capital and Rational Choice Theory
- Bonding and Bridging Social Capital: The Strengh of Weak Ties
- Structural holes and Brokerage in Economy and Society
Assessment Elements
- Reading Seminars
- Group TasksGroup tasks (max 4 students in a group) are devoted to one of the suggested topics. Each task consists of several questions, devoted to the topic discussed. Answers should be prepared in PDF presentations by students in groups. Every group has a limited number of slides (no more than 6) and limited time for the online presentation (10-12 minutes). Presentations are graded based on the clarity and saturation of the answers, relevance of the used concepts and facts, stay in time. Group presentations should be uploaded in a group folder on time of the deadline announced. There are no other possibilities to compensate the lack of completed group task.
- Article Review
- Exam
Interim Assessment
- 2023/2024 1st module0.15 * Article Review + 0.25 * Exam + 0.25 * Group Tasks + 0.35 * Reading Seminars
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Personal networks : classic readings and new directions in egocentric analysis, , 2021
- Радаев, В. В. (2010). Viviana Zelizer Social Meaning of Money (translated in Russian). Moscow, HSE, 2004. ; Зелизер В. Социальное значение денег. М. ГУ-ВШЭ, 2004. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.14901D0B
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Georg Simmel, Frisby, D., 2002