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Regular version of the site

Sociology

2020/2021
Academic Year
ENG
Instruction in English
4
ECTS credits
Course type:
Compulsory course
When:
1 year, 4 module

Instructor


Лапина Вероника Олеговна

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course introduces major concepts, theories, scholars, subfiels, and research results of this very rich and diverse social science discipline. Students will learn what it means to “think sociologically,” and how this differs from other ways of seeing the world around. By familiarizing themselves with various ways of reading into contemporary societies, processes they are engaged in, and challenges they are facing, the students will explore the relationships between material structures, individuals, and societies.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • learn what it means to think sociologically, and how this differs from other ways of seeing the world around
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Students are able to learn and demonstrate skills in the field of social theory and key sociological concepts
  • Students are capable to identify core ideas and the line of argumentation in theoretical and research-based sociological books and articles
  • Students have the capacity to analyze, discuss, and build argumentation related to core sociological concepts
  • Students are capable to think critically and interpret issues and phenomena from a sociological perspective
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Sociology as a way of seeing and the theory of Social Change.
  • Social (Inter)actions and Self
  • Institutions, Groups, and Network
  • Power and (Bio)Politics
  • Inequality and Stratification
  • Culture and Culture Industry
  • Social Movements and Social Change
  • Race and ethnicity
  • Gender and Sexuality
  • City and Society
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Final essay
    By the end of the class students will be expected to submit a ten-page (10) essay on a topic of their own choice. Students should be prepared to submit their 1-page long proposal for the final paper (exact deadline TBA) worth 5% of their final grade. Students are free to focus on one of the issues that were raised in class, combine different topics or link final paper to their major research interest.
  • non-blocking Midterm: 48-hour Sociological review of a movie
    The cohort will be assigned a selection of movies for review (5 page) submitted a week after the class reaches midterm. Students are advised to select one movie of the list for review. A review should provide a brief (one to two paragraphs) explanation of the basic plot and fundamental issues addressed in the film. A film review should link the movie with the concepts discussed previously in the class and provide analysis of the ideas presented in the movie, through the studied conceptual framework. The paper should be 5 pages in length.Students will need to include at least 3 sources in the paper. Student can use sources used in class or sources found outside of class. Students need to be sure to use the sources to support their analysis. All sources must be academic books/peer-reviewed articles The Works Cited page does not count towards the 5-page requirement.
  • non-blocking Storytelling Podcast Project on Inequality
    A study group will be asked to divide themselves into groups of 3-5 people and each group will be assigned with a topic, concerning inequality, and asked to recording a 15-20 minutes podcast on the assigned topic. Students should feel free to invite speakers, create reportages, discuss the issue among themselves, work on case studies etc. In groups of 3-5, students are responsible for choosing one of the topics to address and develop into one audio-based podcast episode from start to finish. Small groups are beneficial for this style of assignment as students could work collaboratively to develop their new skills as audio producers. The final podcast was to be approximately 15-20 minutes in length. The students were responsible for collecting research on their topic, developing a script, conducting interviews, recording voice-overs, and editing their podcast together using Audacity. Most students can use their phones for recording, or anything that converts to a MPEG4 file. Students will need to be able to record and edit the podcast on either their computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. For recording and/or editing sound, Audacity is free (tutorials are available on Lynda.com).
  • non-blocking In-Class participation
    Students are expected to be familiar with all of the assigned readings and actively participate in class discussions. As the understanding of “active participation” may vary, students must feel free to come to the instructor in case of any personal matter with public participation. Please note, that it is the instructor’s duty to ensure equal access to in-class participation; students must feel free to address the instructor after class in case they feel that they are not given a chance to express themselves in class.
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (4 module)
    0.3 * Final essay + 0.25 * In-Class participation + 0.25 * Midterm: 48-hour Sociological review of a movie + 0.2 * Storytelling Podcast Project on Inequality
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • 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

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Berberoglu, B. (2017). Social Theory : Classical and Contemporary – A Critical Perspective. New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1449724