Course 2016-2017 a.y.

30197 - SOCIOLOGY


CLEAM - CLEF - CLEACC - BESS-CLES - WBB - BIEF - BIEM

Department of Social and Political Sciences

Course taught in English

Go to class group/s: 31
CLEAM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/07) - CLEF (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/07) - CLEACC (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/07) - BESS-CLES (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/07) - WBB (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/07) - BIEF (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/07) - BIEM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/07)
Course Director:
IAN ROSS MACMILLAN

Classes: 31 (II sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: IAN ROSS MACMILLAN



Course Objectives

The course provides the students with an introduction to the discipline of sociology. The first part of the course focuses on the macro-contexts of life and includes issues of social structure and culture and their relation to social organization. Specific topics covered include social structures, the nature of social order, capitals and capitalization processes, and social networks.The second part of the course focuses on the political and social dimensions of group life with a specific focus on citizenship and political participation, race and ethnicity, migration, and assimilation. The third aspect of the course considers issues of economic organization and its consequences.Topics include economic activity, markets, social mobility, and poverty and inequality.Throughout the course, we draw upon three core themes. First, how does the nature of social organization and social life shape who one is and the immediate circumstances of social life? Second, how do the interconnections of social and historical context, human development and agency influence life chances? Third, how has globalization shaped the nature of contemporary social life and what impact has it had on both action and experience?

Course Content Summary

First Part:
  • World Population and its Implications;
  • Social Action;
  • Social Structures;
  • Capitals and Capitalization;
  • Social Networks.
Second Part:
  • Citizenship and Political Participation;
  • Race and Ethnicity;
  • Migration;
  • Assimilation;
  • Economics, Economic Action and Markets;
  • Stratification and Social Mobility;
  • Poverty and globalization.

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

There are two written exams consisting of both short-answer and essay style questions and a short empirical project.
The first partial exam and the written project are valid until the end of the academic year.


Textbooks

A set of readings available for download.

Exam textbooks & Online Articles (check availability at the Library)
Last change 21/03/2016 12:31