Economic Sociology

2021/2022

Учебный год

ENG

Обучение ведется на английском языке

5

Кредиты

Кто читает:

Департамент социологии

Статус:

Курс обязательный

Когда читается:

4-й курс, 3 модуль

Преподаватель

Крупец Яна Николаевна

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This is the introductory course aimed at the discussion of the basics of the sociological study of the economy. After the course students should: know the theoretical approaches to the understanding of the economy, the market, and the economic behaviour; be able to analyze the economic actions, networks, culture and power in the contemporary markets; be able to present the results of the socio-economic analysis. The course consists of lectures and seminars. The seminars involve the discussion of the topics and the student work in small groups, academic reading, the analysis of empirical data.

Learning Objectives

• The aim of this course is to discuss the basics of the sociological study of the economy and to explain the main approaches developing in the field of economic sociology. The course is oriented toward the understanding of the contemporary market, informal economy, the work of the firm and the economic behaviour of different economic actors.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• - able to work with information: find, evaluate and use necessary information from different sources in order to solve scientific and professional problems (including through the system approach)
• able to analyze socially significant problems and processes with impartiality and scientific objectivity
• able to critically evaluate and reassess accumulated experiences (personal and others’), reflect on professional and social activities
• able to critically evaluate and reassess accumulated experiences (personal and others’), reflect on professional and social activities; able to critically perceive, summarize, and analyze professional information
• able to critically perceive, summarize, and analyze professional information
• able to identify the scientific essence of problems in one’s professional area
• able to present the results of sociological study while taking into account the specifics of the potential audience
• able to process and analyze data to prepare analytical decisions, expert advice, and recommendations
• able to work as part of a team
• able to work with information: find, evaluate and use necessary information from different sources in order to solve scientific and professional problems (including through the system approach)
• Identifies the scientific essence of problems in economic sociology
• Works with information: find, evaluate and use necessary information from different sources in order to solve scientific and professional problems (including through the system approach)

Course Contents

• Methodological foundations of economic sociology. Institutionalization of the discipline "Economic sociology"
• Networks, institutions and culture: the main approaches of new economic sociology to the study of the modern economy
• State, politics and economy
• Markets as the main focus of new economic sociology
• Informal economy
• Firms and organizations
• Employment and labour market
• Modern capitalism

Assessment Elements

• In-class participation
  In-class participation is an important part of course implementation. It will include participation in the work during seminars and preparation for them at home. The participation could take different forms: academic reading, discussion and presentation of the reading in class, application of the reading toward the empirical material analysis, the analysis of video and media materials.
• Business project
  Homework: the group project “Analysis of the market and business development proposal” Compose small groups of 5-6 people Choose a business from the proposed list (for example online shop, pub, bookstore). Analyze and describe the relevant market using the following structure:   - main market participants (competitors)   - products, prices   - social structure, networks (power relations)   - regulations, rules   - ideology, norms, values Use theoretical framework from the course   Plan a strategy for developing the chosen business (based on the analysis, using the basic concepts of the course) - name, purpose, values, the structure of the organization, proposal, ways to promote the business, etc. The format: public presentation
• Exam in written form
  The format of the exam: written During the exam, the student will be offered empirical materials for analysis (materials from the media, interviews, etc.) in which economic topics are represented. The assignment: 1) Think up a FOCUS of research in the field of economic sociology, state some key tasks/research questions. 2) Choose the theoretical framework for the analysis - you should demonstrate the knowledge of approaches from economic sociology and authors of these approaches 3) Select and define key concepts for the topic 4) Analyze (in written form) the proposed material from the perspective of the chosen methodology/approach

Interim Assessment

• 2021/2022 3rd module
  0.5 * Exam in written form + 0.4 * In-class participation + 0.1 * Business project

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Aspers, P., & Dodd, N. (2015). Re-Imagining Economic Sociology. Oxford: OUP Oxford. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1200997

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Andersson, J. (2010). The Library and the Workshop : Social Democracy and Capitalism in the Knowledge Age. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=309246
• Beck, N., & Ebner, A. (2008). The Institutions of the Market : Organizations, Social Systems, and Governance. Oxford: OUP Oxford. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=259557
• Beckert, J., & Dewey, M. (2017). The Architecture of Illegal Markets : Towards an Economic Sociology of Illegality in the Economy. Oxford: OUP Oxford. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1561435
• Biggart, N. W., & Wiley InterScience (Online service). (2002). Readings in Economic Sociology. Malden, Mass: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=231984
• Fligstein, N. (2008). Euroclash : The EU, European Identity, and the Future of Europe. Oxford: OUP Oxford. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=234734
• Portes, A. (2010). Economic Sociology : A Systematic Inquiry. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=329852
• Roberts, J., & Amin, A. (2008). Community, Economic Creativity, and Organization. Oxford: OUP Oxford. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=267279
• Swedberg, R., & Pinch, T. J. (2008). Living in a Material World : Economic Sociology Meets Science and Technology Studies. Cambridge, Mass: The MIT Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=248783
• The architecture of illegal markets : towards an economic sociology of illegality in the economy / edited by Jens Beckert and Matías Dewey. (2017). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.490198740
• Zafirovski, M., & Beckert, J. (2006). International Encyclopedia of Economic Sociology. London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=349450