VVm007 Sociology of Culture

Faculty of Education
Spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/0/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PaedDr. Radek Horáček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Blahoslav Rozbořil, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Blahoslav Rozbořil, Ph.D.
Department of Art – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Mgr. et Mgr. Jana Nedomová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Art – Faculty of Education
Timetable
Thu 12:00–12:50 učebna 15
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Abstract: The concept of culture is used as a tool for description and analysis of social life. The extent and diversity of the phenomena to be addressed, however, leads to tensions and contradictions. It also contributes to the fact that the mental and linguistic structures we grasp form of culture are themselves culturally conditioned. This is reflected, for example, in the dichotomisation of reality (subjective - objective, universal - particular, axiology - description). This gives eloquent relevance to cultural considerations. In addition to basic forms, features and cultural functions, the course focuses on the framework modes of cultural dynamics (processes of modernization and differentiation); special attention is paid to the symbol, myth and ritual, and to the relationships between art, science and religion. Pedagogical issues deal with the topic of social and cultural reproduction (educatio i eruditio).
Learning outcomes
- Students will acquire the basic concepts and concepts used in the study of culture. They will learn to openly approach the plurality and contradiction of phenomena in the concept of culture contained.
- Students will learn to apply analytical concepts to specific issues of their field of study.
- The student is aware of basic approaches to studying culture.
Syllabus
  • Axiological and descriptive approaches (humanities and social sciences); Universalist and Particular Concepts (Cicero versus Herder); Tradition vs. Emancipation (Reason, Habit and Emotions) - Relationship to Negotiation (Weber).
  • Culture - nature (culture patterns as a substitute for instincts); culture versus civilization.
  • Basic features (and contradictions) of culture (symbolic system, learning and sharing, integrating); forms and components of culture.
  • Cultural functions: culture as an instrument of adaptation, homogenization, as a generator of meanings or meaning, as a sphere of power and stratification, a means of legitimation (ideology - utopia); sociological accents in the concept of culture (power, stratification, legitimation).
  • Symbol, myth, ritual, language, communication, symbolic systems (communication); religion, science, art, cosmogony - cosmology, ideology - utopia, transcendence - transgression.
  • Aesthetic culture: symbolic - material aspects, autonomy - heteronomy; high and low culture, tastes and flavors; tension (gauge) of culture and art (Bell).
Literature
    required literature
  • KOMÁREK, Stanislav. Příroda a kultura : svět jevů a svět interpretací. Vyd. 2. Praha: Academia, 2008, 307 s. ISBN 9788020015822. info
  • MURPHY, Robert Francis. Úvod do kulturní a sociální antropologie. Translated by Hana Červinková. 2. vyd. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství, 2004, 268 s. ISBN 9788086429250. info
  • LAWLESS, Robert. Co je to kultura. V Olomouci: Votobia, 1996, 182 s. ISBN 8071981060. info
    recommended literature
  • FAY, Brian. Současná filosofie sociálních věd : multikulturní přístup. Translated by Jana Ogrocká. Vyd. 1. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství, 2002, 324 s. ISBN 8086429105. info
  • EAGLETON, Terry. Idea kultury. Vyd. 1. Brno: Host, 2001, 152 s. ISBN 8072940260. info
  • BELL, Daniel. Kulturní rozpory kapitalismu. Translated by Lukáš Gjurič. Vyd. 1. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství, 1999, 335 s. ISBN 80-85850-84-2. info
  • GELLNER, Ernest André. Rozum a kultura : historická úloha racionality a racionalismu. Translated by Eva Musilová. 1. vyd. Brno: Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury, 1999, 188 s. ISBN 8085959445. info
Teaching methods
lectures, class discussion, reading
Assessment methods
Written test (multiple choice) in the range of 25 - 30 questions from the whole subject.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2024, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2024/VVm007