CORE153 Human Societies: Past, Present, Future

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Dr. Werner Binder (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Dr. Werner Binder
Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 18:00–19:40 Aula
Prerequisites
!TYP_STUDIA(ND) && !PROGRAM(B-SOC)
We welcome students from all fields; no prior knowledge is required except the capability to understand English.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 120 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 81/120, only registered: 0/120, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/120
Course objectives
Understanding humanity’s past is crucial for understanding contemporary society and its future. This course offers a “big picture” of the development of human societies, addressing the natural (human adaptation to and impact on their natural environment), social (social structure and organization) and cultural (classifications and representations of the world) dimensions of human existence.
Following an introduction, six lectures will each discuss a specific historical type of human society, from simple hunter-gatherer societies to the modern nation state. Rooted in a cultural sociological perspective, this course offers a unique view on human history, which does not follow a linear modernization narrative but argues that seemingly antiquated social structures and cultural forms are still relevant in contemporary society. The exchange of gifts may no longer be the dominant form of economic circulation (vis-à-vis market transactions) but it is still practiced on various occasions (Christmas, birthdays etc.); similarly, the nation state retains its importance in times of globalization. The course proceeds with four lectures that offer a more detailed analysis of contemporary globalized society, addressing topics such as adaptation to climate change, the rise of social media and transnational migration, ending with a lecture on the possible future of humanity.
Learning outcomes
Students completing this course will not only gain a better understanding of human history and their place in it, but will also be equipped with conceptual tools that enable them to see contemporary society in a new light.
Syllabus
  • I. Introduction
  • II. Simple Societies
  • III. The Transition to a Sedentary Life
  • IV. Conquest Societies
  • V. Empires
  • VI. Territorial States
  • VII. Modern Nation States
  • VIII. Global Society I
  • IX. Global Society II
  • X. Global Society III
  • XI. Global Society IV
  • XII. Future Societies
Teaching methods
Lectures, accompanied by a script.
Assessment methods
One short essay on any subject related to the course.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2024/CORE153