Sociological Theory

2018/2019

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Author

Kaploun, Viktor

Delivered at:

Department of Sociology

Course type:

Compulsory course

When:

3 year, 4 module

Instructors

Safonova, Maria

Sokolova, Nadezhda

Stachura, Mateusz

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course lasts for three years. The third year combines all the knowledge students got in the first two years of the course. The logic of the course and its structure are defined by the variety of answers for the questions about the conditions of formation, maintaining and reconfiguration/ destruction of the samples of social organization, and about the possible ways to analyze these processes suggested by sociology. We start from the very basic elements of explanation of social action and then proceed to understanding the nature of causal explanations in social science.

Learning Objectives

• develop the skill of interpreting empirical data applying different sociological theories

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

• Methodological issues on sociology, part I. Explanation and understanding
  Understanding sociology M. Weber. Explanation and understanding of economic life.
• Methodological issues on sociology, part II. “Micro”-“macro” dilemma
  Institutional individualism.
• Methodological issues on sociology, part III. Materialism vs idealism
  Norms and rationality in electoral participation.
• Special theories, part I. Rational choice theory and its application
  The theory of rational choice in economic sociology.
• Special theories, part II. Structuralism and P.Bourdieu’s theory
  Class and habitus. Social criticism of judgment.
• Special theories, part III. Weberian approach
  Types of rationality M. Weber. Rationalization.
• Special theories, part IV. Institutionalism
  The problem of "iron cells". Organizational field. Institutional isomorphism. Collective rationality in organizational fields. Institutionalized organizations. Formal structure as a myth and ceremonial.
• Special theories, part V. Functionalism and the systems theory
  Social system. Principles of stratification.

Assessment Elements

• Activities in class
• Presentation of a report
• Final exam 3rd year

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (4 module)
  0.35 * Activities in class + 0.3 * Final exam 3rd year + 0.35 * Presentation of a report

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Abrutyn, S. (2016). Handbook of Contemporary Sociological Theory. Switzerland: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1251393

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Segre, S. (2014). Contemporary Sociological Thinkers and Theories. Farnham, Surrey: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=797017