General Sociological Theory

Total Hours in Course162

Number of hours for lectures32

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes32

Independent study hours98

Date of course confirmation09.11.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Social Sciences and Humanities

Course developer

Sociālo un humanitāro zinātņu institūts

Ginta Kronberga

Dr. sc. soc.

Course abstract

In the study course students gain knowledge and understanding of the theoretical guidelines of sociology, concepts, the formation and development of sociology as a science in Europe and America. The course examines classical sociological theories, the most important findings of theorists and their impact on the development of sociology as a science. Students gain an understanding of the structure of society and the regularities of its development, the basic principles of the analysis of the processes taking place in society and the methods used in research, linking them with the current problems and research directions of modern society.
The aim of the study course is to provide knowledge and develop students' understanding of the concepts and theoretical guidelines of sociological theory, linking them with the current problems of modern society.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge: Knows and understands the structure of society, the regularities of its functioning and development
Understands the historical aspects of the formation of sociology as a science and knows the most important theoretical findings. Knows and understands the basic principles of analysis of processes in society (test, individual task, presentation, group work, practical works, discussions and exam).
Skills: Ability to work with various sources of information, discuss the development trends of society, critically evaluate social processes. Ability to select and apply theoretical knowledge of sociology to describe social processes and social change in society. Ability to responsibly plan time and perform assigned tasks. Ability to discuss and communicate freely about tasks and their results. Ability to explain and substantiate his / her opinion with arguments (practical works, discussions, games, forums and exam).
Competence: Ability to choose the appropriate theoretical approach and use various research results in the analysis of social processes. Knows and is able to evaluate current problems and research directions in society (individual work and presentation and exam).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Sociology as a science. – 3 hours
2. The individual and society. – 3 hours
3. Social structure and social interaction. – 3 hours
4. Social stratification and social mobility. – 3 hours
5. Forms of social inequality. – 4 hours
6. Social institutes. – 1 hour
7. Family and marriage as a social institution. – 2 hours
8. Religion as a social institution. – 1 hour
9. Education as a social institute. – 2 hours
10. Economics as a social institute. – 1 hour
11. Mass media as a social institute. – 1 hour
12. Power, politics and the state as a social institute. – 2 hours
13. Health and medicine as a social institute. – 2 hours
14. Social change and globalization. – 2hours
15. Development and sustainability of society. – 2 hours

Content of practical works (32 hours)
1. Formation and development of sociology as a science in Latvia, future challenges - discussion. - 1 hour
2. The essence and comparison of sociological perspectives - practical work. - 2 hours
3. Culture as a social phenomenon - discussion, forums. - 1 hour
4. The essence and examples of socialization, the film about "Wild Children" - discussion. - 2 hours
5. Deviance and deviance prevention - group work, discussion, forums. - 2 hours
6. Social statuses and social roles - discussion. -1 hour
7. Social interaction and its role in the real and virtual environment - group work. - 2 hours
8. Social inequality in the world and in Latvia, review of current research - game, practical work. -2 hours)
9. Gender social inequality - problems and solutions - discussion, forums. - 2 hours
10. Social stratification and social mobility - discussion. - 1 hour
11. Concepts of sociological theory - test. - 1 hour
12. The role of the family and marriage institute in modern society - individual task, presentation. - 2 hours
13. The role of religion and religious organizations in society - discussion, individual task, presentation. -2 hours
14. Economic and labour market research in Latvia - individual task, presentation. - 2 hours
15. Problems and solutions of education as a social institution in Latvia - individual task, presentation. (2 hours)
16. Formation of public opinion and the role of the media in it - individual task, presentation. -1 hour
17. Power, politics and the state - individual task, presentation. - 1 hour
18. Health and medicine, current problems and solutions in Latvia - individual task, presentation.-2 hours
19. The impact of globalization on society - discussion.- 1 hour
20. Sustainability of society - ecological and water footprint; - practical work in calculating the footprint, discussion. - 2 hours

Requirements for awarding credit points

Exam

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Practical work, group work, discussions, forums. Individual task and presentation about one of the social institutes. Test - the structure of society, its functioning and regularities of development and exam.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Credit rating consists of cumulative assessment of learning outcomes 100%:
1) Test (20%)
2) Assessment of group work, discussions, forums (20%);
3) Individual task and presentation (20%)
4) Exam (40%)

Compulsory reading

1. Paula L., Korpa V. Socioloģija. Mācību līdzeklis. Jelgava: LLU SZF Socioloģijas katedra. 2010.143 lpp.
2. Tisenkopfs T. (red.) Socioloģija Latvijā. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds. 2010. 536 lpp.
3. Dillon M. Introduction to Sociological Theory: Theorists, Concepts, and their Applicability to the Twenty-first Century. Second edition. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley Blackwell, 2014. 565 p.
4. Giddens A. Sociology. Cambridge: PolityPress. 2006. 1094 p.
5. Appelrouth S., Edles L.D. Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory: Text and Readings. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press. 2008. 883 p.
6. Ritzer G. Encyclopedia of Social Theory. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, 2005. 982 p. Pieejams elektroniski LLU EBSCOhost datu bāzē: https://web-s-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/ehost/detail/detail?vid=4&sid=313f1773-d7c7-42e7-babd-8bf70ed221f5%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=474409&db=e000xww
7. Turner, B. S. The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology. Cambridge University Press. 2006. 688 p. Pieejams elektroniski LLU EBSCOhost datu bāzē: https://web-s-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/ZTAwMHh3d19fMjE3OTk3X19BTg2?sid=7c86c731-9d17-46d8-8bc6-07d7c8db9f45@redis&vid=15&format=EB&rid=104
8. Volkovs V.Socioloģijas teorijas: XIX gadsimts-XX gadsimta sākums: lekciju kurss. Daugavpils: Daugavpils Universitātes Akadēmiskais apgāds Saule. 2007. 204 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Humanities and Social Sciences. Latvia [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://www.apgads.lu.lv/izdevumi/brivpieejas-izdevumi/zurnali-un-periodiskie-izdevumi/humanities-and-social-sciences-latvia/
2. European Journal of Social Theory. ISSN 1461-7137 [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/est
3. FRA – Promoting and Protecting your Fundamental Rights Across the EU. [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://fra.europa.eu/en
4. Pārresoru koordinācijas centra pētījumu un publikāciju datu bāze. [tiešsaiste] Pieejams: http://petijumi.mk.gov.lv/

Notes

Compulsory course for academic bachelor’s study programme „Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”

Atsauksmes