Bachelor
2022/2023
Sociology
Type:
Compulsory course (Management and Digital Innovation)
Area of studies:
Business Informatics
Delivered by:
Department of Sociology
When:
1 year, 3 module
Mode of studies:
distance learning
Online hours:
20
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Contact hours:
40
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The main objective of this course is to introduce the students to sociology as an academic discipline and provide them with an overlook of the crucial sociological perspectives, problems, and debates concerning the nature of modern societies. The course covers various topics, including general sociological theory and methodology, globalization, microsociology, social stratification and inequality, family, work and employment, values and morality. Besides being given with lectures, the students will participate in collective projects and discussions around the covered topics during the seminars. As a result of the course, it is expected that the students would be able to conceive the key features of the sociological approaches to analyzing modern social institutions in their various aspects, and acquire the basic skills for the scientifically sound, reflexive, and critical analysis of modern societies and different social phenomena.
Learning Objectives
- acquaint students with the peculiarities of the sociological understanding of social phenomena and processes, methods of conducting sociological research, and the potential for practical application of the acquired knowledge
Expected Learning Outcomes
- be able to organize teamwork, distribute responsibility, coordinate and control the work of team members;
- apply sociological theories to analyze social events and processes shaping the globalizing world in general and specific cases
- prove their position by giving arguments and examples from real life
Course Contents
- What is sociology? The founding fathers of the discipline.
- Macrosociology: Grand theories of grand societies.
- Microsociology: Discovering society in the everyday life.
- Critical theory: Where (for some) did society go wrong?
- Gender and family: Nature vs. nurture
- Social stratification and social class. The problem of inequality.
- Work, employment, and society: What is changing?
- Quantitative methods in sociology: Can we trust surveys?
- Qualitative methods in sociology: How can we understand other people?
- Values and morality: Why do people differ in their ideas of what is right and wrong?
Assessment Elements
- In-class testAfter each block of lectures, there will be an in-class test checking the undesrtanding of the material delivered on that day. The results for all tests will be averaged.
- Presentation and Leading Class DiscussionYou will be scheduled to present readings and lead discussion. On the assigned day, you are expected to give a PowerPoint presentation about the readings which includes a) a summary of the main points of the readings, b) definitions of key concepts used in the readings, and 3) between 2-4 questions related to the readings for class discussion. Depending on the group size, presentations may be prepared and delivered by several students, which will be anounced during the first seminar.
- Participating in Class DiscussionsYou will also be evaluated for your contributions to class discussion over the course of the module. Make sure you read materials closely and critically and think about them prior to each class meeting so that you are prepared to participate in class. The quality of your learning experience will hinge upon what each student brings to the classroom.
Interim Assessment
- 2022/2023 3rd module0.4 * In-class test + 0.2 * Participating in Class Discussions + 0.4 * Presentation and Leading Class Discussion
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Ronald F. Inglehart. (2017). Evolutionary Modernization Theory: Why People’s Motivations are Changing. Changing Societies & Personalities, (2), 136. https://doi.org/10.15826/csp.2017.1.2.010
- Sociology, Giddens, A., 2017
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Diamond, J. (2003). Guns, Germs, and Steel in 2003. Antipode, 35(4), 829–831. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-8330.2003.00357.x
- Foa, R. S., Inglehart, R., Ponarin, E., & Karabchuk, T. (2018). Set-Point Theory and Societal Collapse: The Case of Russia. Journal of Happiness Studies, 19(6), 1639–1656. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-017-9888-4