SOC607 Social Inclusion: Perspectives, practices and challenges within the Visegrad region

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2016
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 10 credit(s). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Michal Vašečka, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Bc. Lenka Kissová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Ivana Rapoš Božič, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Ladislav Rabušic, CSc.
Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Soňa Enenkelová
Supplier department: Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course reacts to the challenges in the Visegrad region posed by the current development in social issues such as migration, minority rights, unemployment or marginalization of ethnic minorities. It introduces the concept of social inclusion and opens discussion on a variety of its interpretations and applications. The course aims to connect theory with practice and offer insights into the areas where principles of social inclusion are applied. Moreover, the course aims to provide an opportunity for students to meet the practitioners dealing with social inclusion as a part of their professional career, inside, but also outside of academic setting. The format of the course includes an introductory theoretical lecture, a series of thematic seminars led by external lecturers with expertise on social inclusion in the fields of education, public policy, employment, public space and social innovation, a methodology seminar, and field trips to selected institutions in Brno and Budapest. The course builds on interactive teaching and active contribution of all partakers, the lecturers, but also students themselves. Course objectives • To expose students to key theoretical concepts and debates about social inclusion and related sociological concepts. • To introduce a variety of fields within which social inclusion is discussed, to show practical implications of inclusive approaches and to touch upon emerging problematic issues related to its application. • To discuss the good practices with theoreticians and practitioners from Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic. • To prepare students for writing research proposals and give them a chance to design (and eventually also conduct) their own research in relation to social inclusion. • To provide guidance in writing blog contribution and create a space for public engagement. • To offer contacts on different institutions researching or actively promoting social inclusion in the society. • To enhance students' language competence and communication skills in English.
Syllabus
  • The course starts on 5th October, there are no lectures during the first two weeks of the semester. 5.10. 10:00-13:30 Introduction - what is social inclusion? 11.10. 10:00-13:30 Social innovations as a practical inclusive tool 12.10. 10:00-13:30 Inclusive workplace 13.10. 9:30-13:00 Dynamics of social inclusion/exclusion in public space 18.10. 10:00-13:30 Inclusive education 19.10. 10:00-13:30 Political aspects of social inclusion – what are inclusive policies? 20.10. 10:00-13:30 Methodology seminar - how to design a research proposal? December 2016 & January 2017 - field trips to the selected institutions in Brno and Budapest (the exact dates will be specified during the semester)
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminars and field trips.
Assessment methods
Course evaluation is based on three requirements: 1. Participation and active contribution into discussion – students are required to contribute actively during the lectures and seminars. They are required to read course literature, to discuss it in the classroom and to pose relevant questions. The attendance on all of the course related activities including field trips are mandatory and subject to proper excuse in case of illness or other circumstances. 2. Writing a research proposal - students are required to articulate a clear research problem, situate it in the existing literature, propose methodological approach to address the research question, and discuss the significance of the project in relation to concept of social inclusion. During the semester, students will prepare an outline of the project for which they will receive a detailed feedback. At the end of the semester they will put together an entire research proposal (6-8 pages; 1,5 spaced). Students will work in groups of 2-3 persons. 3. Writing a blog contribution – students are required to contribute to the blog published on the course website (http://inclusion.fss.muni.cz/). The contribution should be 2 standard pages long and focus on selected issue relevant within the discussion on social inclusion in V4 region. The contribution can build on knowledge an experience acquired during seminars, field trips, or observation of selected phenomenon. The best texts will be published also on the official blog of the Department of Sociology (http://socfss.blog.respekt.cz). Attendance and active participation 15% Blog contribution 15% Research proposal 1st draft 20% Final research proposal 40%
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught: in blocks.
Teacher's information
http://inclusion.fss.muni.cz/
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2016, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2016/SOC607