SOC755 General Sociology

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 10 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Csaba Szaló, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Pavel Pospěch, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Csaba Szaló, Ph.D.
Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Soňa Enenkelová
Supplier department: Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 16:00–17:40 U35
Prerequisites (in Czech)
NOW( SOC755a Seminar to General sociology )
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 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course introduces students to the wide range of social theory that has developed in the discipline of Sociology, providing exposure to classical, 20th century, and contemporary theories. The literature has been selected to provide a comprehensive, critical introduction to the development of the topics, theory, and methods of Sociology. There is a strong emphasis on clarifying the basic philosophy of sociological inquiry and examining the first principles upon which each theory is based.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

- Recall and relate sociological theories and approaches that have developed over time
- think critically about and engage in debate over different theoretical approaches
- Identify and explain major contemporary and historical sociological theories and use formal theory in the analysis of current social issues
- Interpret the significance of sociological issues in their daily lives
- Demonstrate their knowledge of sociological theory and contemporary social issues
- Be prepared to pass the State Exam to fulfill requirements to earn the MA degree
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:

- Recall and relate sociological theories and approaches that have developed over time
- think critically about and engage in debate over different theoretical approaches
- Identify and explain major contemporary and historical sociological theories and use formal theory in the analysis of current social issues
- Interpret the significance of sociological issues in their daily lives
- Demonstrate their knowledge of sociological theory and contemporary social issues
- Be prepared to pass the State Exam to fulfill requirements to earn the MA degree
Syllabus
  • The course is based on weekly seminar meetings in which the required reading is presented and discussed. The weekly topics for the semester include:
  • - What is Sociology?
  • - Sociological Theory, Theorizing and Methodology
  • - Classical Sociology I - Marx and Critical Theory
  • - Durkheim, Structural Functionalism and Durkheimian Sociology
  • - Weber
  • - Rational Choice and Exchange Theories
  • - Feminist Theory
  • - Interactionism and Social Constructionism
  • - Micro-Macro, Structure-Agency Integration
  • - Modernity and Postmodernity
Literature
    required literature
  • ALEXANDER, Jeffrey C., Kenneth THOMPSON and Laura Desfor EDLES. A contemporary introduction to sociology : culture and society in transition. 2nd ed. Boulder [Colo.]: Paradigm Publishers, 2012, xxii, 666. ISBN 9781612050294. info
  • APPELROUTH, Scott. Classical and contemporary sociological theory : text and readings. Edited by Laura Desfor Edles. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Pine Forge Press, 2012, xxiv, 862. ISBN 9781412992336. info
    not specified
  • GIDDENS, Anthony. Introduction to sociology / Anthony Giddens ... [et al.]. 8th ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2012, xxiii, 633. ISBN 9780393912135. info
  • RITZER, George. Sociological theory. 8th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2012, 1 sv. ISBN 9780071315371. info
  • GAIRDNER, William D. The book of absolutes : a critique of relativism and a defence of universals. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2008, xvi, 398. ISBN 9780773536197. info
  • SOWELL, Thomas. A conflict of visions : ideological origins of political struggles. New York: Basic Books, 2007, xiv, 329. ISBN 9780465002054. info
  • DANERMARK, Berth. Explaining society : critical realism in the social sciences. 1st ed. London: Routledge, 2002, 221 s. ISBN 041522182X. info
Teaching methods
The method of teaching focuses on weekly lectures.
Assessment methods
Students are expected to attend every seminar meeting and participate actively in class. There is one mid-term exam covering information presented in class and the required readings up to that point; a comprehensive final exam at the end of the semester tests all information presented during the semester. Students receive a final letter grade (A-F) for the semester based on the following components:

40% – Mid-term exam
60% – Final exam
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
Information on course enrolment limitations: For Masters students from any dpt in FSS and for Graduate Program in Sociology (English) students and for exchange students.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2005, Spring 2006, Autumn 2006, Spring 2007, Autumn 2007, Spring 2008, Autumn 2008, Spring 2009, Autumn 2009, Spring 2010, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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