SPRb1132 Social norm and risk phenomena in society

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Roman Baláž, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Roman Baláž, Ph.D.
Department of Social Policy and Social Work – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Social Policy and Social Work – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
(! SPRb1209 Social Deviance ) && !NOWANY( SPRb1209 Social Deviance )
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 introduces the complex relationships between 1) changing social norms and 2) the dynamics of human action in the frame of social phenomena that threaten social cohesion, social order (the opposite of chaos) and preferred social conditions in a democratic society. The course equips learners with concepts and trains skills that will enable them to understand better risky phenomena in society and the risky behaviour of unstable human beings in the changing conditions of their lives. Upon completion of the course, learners will be able to work with risks that threaten the functioning of democratic societies; this means that they will be able to
  • recognize, distinguish and evaluate the relationship between needs and risks (individual and societal),
  • to design auxiliary, supportive and control social work measures; and
  • evaluate their positives and negatives for the different stakeholders potentially involved in the eventual implementation of the measures.
    • Learning outcomes
    The course develops 1) sensitivity to the possibility of risk (individual and social), 2) informed respect for diversity among people, 3) alertness to the possible dysfunction of pre-set measures for managing risks and meeting needs (individual and social), 4) reflection of one's own (and others') values and beliefs, 5) reflection on the positions and roles of social workers in managing risks and meeting needs (individual and social), 6) critical thinking.
    Syllabus
    • The social role of social work
    • Social norm and normality
    • Otherness vs. Diversity
    • Risk, risk behaviour and risk phenomena
    • Addictions vs. The norm of acceptable intoxication
    • Violence in relationships vs. The norm of condoned violence
    • Extremism and inter-group violence vs. The norm of acceptable self-expression
    • Delinquency and criminality vs. The norm of condoned lawbreaking
    • Exploitation and human trafficking vs. The norm of disregarded enrichment at the expense of others
    • Homelessness vs. the norm of acceptable eviction
    • Self-harm and suicide vs. The norm of acceptable choices concerning one's own body
    • Assessment, design and evaluation of ancillary, supportive and control measures
    Literature
      required literature
    • Havelková, B., Bellak-Hančilová, B. (eds.) (2014). Co s prostitucí? Veřejné politiky a práva osob v prostituci. Praha: SLON.
    • Miovský, M. a kol. 2015. Výkladový slovník základních pojmů školské prevence rizikového chování. Praha: Univerzita Karlova.
    • Baláž, R. 2018. Komplexní posouzení: Spojení studia sociálních deviací se sociální prací. Sociální práce/Sociálna práca. (18)6, 26–38.
    • Goffman, E. 2003. Stigma. Poznámky o způsobech zvládání narušené identity. Praha: SLON.
    • Fischer, S., Škoda, J. (2014). Sociální patologie. Závažné sociálně patologické jevy, příčiny, prevence, možnosti řešení. Praha: Grada.
    • NEŠPOR, Karel. Návykové chování a závislost : současné poznatky a perspektivy léčby. 5., rozšířené vydání. Praha: Portál, 2018, 255 stran. ISBN 9788026213574. info
    • MATOUŠEK, Oldřich. Encyklopedie sociální práce. Edited by Alois Křišťan. [Brno: Masarykova univerzita. Středisko pro pomoc studentům se specifickými nároky, 2013, 1 online. URL info
    • Jinakost - postižení - kritika : společenské konstrukty nezpůsobilosti a hendikepu : antologie textů z oboru disability studies. Edited by Kateřina Kolářová, Translated by Zuzana Šťastná - Sylva Ficová. Vyd. 1. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství (SLON), 2012, 581 s. ISBN 9788074190506. info
    • Velký sociologický slovník. Vyd. 1. Praha: Karolinum, 1996, 747 s. ISBN 8071841641. info
    Teaching methods
    text reading, group work, homework, presentation practice and academic text writing, feedback, asking question, discussion, problem solving, critical thinking
    Assessment methods
    Your progress throughout the course will be monitored and evaluated by the instructor through A) assigned individual work, B) reflection on your ongoing quality work in class, C) assigned teamwork, and D) a final exam.
    Language of instruction
    Czech
    Further Comments
    The course is taught annually.
    The course is taught: every week.
    Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
    The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2024.
    • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
    • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/SPRb1132