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Sociology

Course developers

Prior knowledge

Ekon2130, Theory of Economics

PārZP029, Introduction in Food Industry

Course abstract

During the study course students develop an understanding on social structure and its development trends, basic principles of the analysis focusing on social processes, acquire knowledge on social research methods and their application in their professional carrier. During the course students acquire social knowledge that is considered to be an important element of contemporary professional culture of specialists in any sector as it allows being competent in problem situations and making reasonable decisions considering socio economic processes and necessity of multidisciplinary knowledge within a context of a particular field of professional activity.
The aim of the study course is to provide the basic theoretical and practical knowledge in sociology necessary for the chosen profession.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knows the structure of society, the regularities of its functioning and development, research methods and aspects of their application in the context of the specialty being studied – 1st and 2nd test, exam or test, according to study plans.
Able to work with various sources of information, discuss trends in the development of society, critically evaluate socio-economic processes in the context of the specialty being studied – seminars
Able to formulate a research problem and conduct a pilot study in relation to the chosen specialty – exam or test (independent work “Sociological Research”)
Able to navigate problem situations and make decisions, using social knowledge in their professional activities, using the results of various studies - seminars

Course Content(Calendar)

Full-time in-person studies:
Lecture topics:
1. Sociology as a science of society, its development in the world and in Latvia. Structure and functions of sociology. (1 hour)
2. Sociological research and its application in the study of social and economic processes. (1 hour)
3. Development of a sociological research program and basic principles of organization. Population and sample. (1 hour)
4. Qualitative sociological research methods. (1 hour)
5. Quantitative sociological research methods. (1 hour)
6. Formation of public opinion. (1 hour)
7. Socialization. Culture as a social institution uniting society. (1 hour)
8. Social behavior. Social control. Collective behavior. Deviance. (1 hour)
9. Social structure and processes of social interaction. (1 hour)
10. Social groups. Formal organizations of society. Types of organizations. (1 hour)
11. Social inequality, forms of its manifestation. Age, gender, ethnic and regional inequality. (1 hour)
12. Social stratification. Social mobility. (1 hour)
13. Social institutions, their types and importance in the social system. Economy as a social institution. (1 hour)
14. Social policy and quality of life. (1 hour)
15. Social problems in modern society: political, economic, demographic, ecological. Globalization. (1 hour)
16. Social changes and risks associated with them. Sustainable development. (1 hour)
List of practical work (16 hours):
1. The role of sociology in Latvia. (1 hour)
2. Development of a research plan and methodology. (4 hours)
3. Culture and its elements in the context of the specialty to be studied. (1 hour)
4. Social behavior. Deviations from the norm in the context of the specialty to be studied. (1 hour)
5. Analysis of organizations (examples from the industry). (2 hours)
6. 1st test: Study of society, social structure. (1 hour)
7. Forms of social inequality in Latvia. (1 hour)
8. Stratification of society in Latvia. (1 hour)
9. Analysis of social institutions. (1 hour)
10. Global social problems in the context of the specialty (2 hours)
11. 2nd test: Social inequality, social problems and changes in the context of sustainability. (1 hour)
Part-time studies:
All topics specified for the full-time studies are accomplished, but the number of contact hours is one half of the number specified in the calendar.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment of work done during the semester – 60%:
- two tests at the time allotted for them;
- discussions during seminars on previously prepared topics;
Exam – 40%:
- During the semester, the independent work “Sociological Research” must be carried out in the group, submitted and presented at the time allotted for the exam.
All tests and independent work must be successfully completed.
10% corresponds to one point on the 10-point study results assessment scale.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent literature studies on the topics covered in the seminars, preparation for discussions in the seminar classes.
The group has completed an independent work “Sociological Research” on a topic related to the specialty being studied, using the research methods learned in the study course. The work is 8-10 pages long, and must be submitted by the exsam specified time.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

For the exam:
The 60% of the final mark on a 10-point scale is formed by an accumulative assessment (10-point system, 1 point corresponds to one point) for the work done during the semester:
- 1st test at the designated time – 2 points
- 2nd test at the designated time – 2 points
- discussions during seminars – 2 points
A student can receive a successful grade in the test if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly.
Discussions are assessed according to involvement and ability to argue one's point of view.
40% - exam. Independent work “Sociological Research” carried out in a group during the semester, submitted and presented at the designated time – 4 points. Independent work is assessed according to the quality of the task performed, which is determined by the teaching staff.
For the test:
the independent work "Sociological Research" is assessed according to the requirements for the quality of execution.
A student can receive a successful assessment in the tests if at least 50% of the test questions are answered correctly.

Compulsory reading

1. Oplinger J. An Introduction to Comparative Sociology. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland, 2020. eBook. Pieejams LBTU Ebsco datu bāzē: https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=3563225&site=ehost-live&scope=site
2. Segre S. Contemporary Sociological Thinkers and Theories. London: Routledge, 2014. 391 p. Pieejams LBTU Ebsco datu bāzē: http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=797017&site=ehost-Live
3. Neuman W. L. Social research methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches. 7th ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2011. 631 p.
4. Toepoel V. Doing Surveys Online. Croydon: Sage Publications Ltd, 2016. 258 p.
5. Wolf C., Joye D., Smith T.W., Fu Yang-Chih. The Sage Handbook of Survey Methodology. Croydon: Sage Publications Ltd, 2016. 716 lpp.

Further reading

1. Paula L., Korpa V. Socioloģija. Mācību līdzeklis. Jelgava: LLU SZF Socioloģijas katedra, 2011. 143 lpp.
2. Martinsone K., Pipere A. (red.) Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2021. 608 lpp.
3. Dillon M. Introduction to Sociological Theory: Theorist, Concepts, and Their Applicability to the Twenty-First century. 3rd ed. Chichester, West Sussexes: Wiley Blackwell, 2020. 530 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Sociologia Ruralis. ISSN 0038-0199
2. The British Journal of Sociology. Online ISSN 1468-4446

Notes

ESAF academic bachelor’s study programme “Economics”
LPTF first cycle (2nd-level) professional study programme “Food Technology”
LPTF academic bachelor’s study programme “Food Quality and Innovations”
LPTF professional bachelor’s study programme “Catering and Hotel management”