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Course title	Sociology in Latvia
Course code	SociM008
Credit points (ECTS)	5
Total Hours in Course	135
Number of hours for lectures	20
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes	20
Number of hours for laboratory classes	0
Independent study hours	95
Date of course confirmation	12/03/2025
Responsible Unit	Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities
Course developers
Dr. sc. soc., prof. Līga Paula Dr. oec., asoc. prof. Lāsma Līcīte-Ķurbe
Prior knowledge
FilzM001, Philosophy and Methodology of Science Soci5043, Sociological Theory
Course abstract
The aim of the study course is to deepen knowledge about establishment of sociology as a science discipline in Latvia and its development, the most significant research institutions and research streams, notable Latvian sociologists and their international contributions, as well as develop science communication skills. The study course focuses also on issues related to future development perspectives of sociology as a science discipline in Latvia as well as in the international context. The role of sociologists in both academic and public spheres is also emphasized. Master’s students acquire different means of science communication and presenting research results of the study for different target groups.
Learning outcomes and their assessment
Knowledge: in-depth knowledge of the formation and development of sociology in Latvia (presentation); knowledge of the most important Latvian sociologists and their contribution to the study of social processes (group work 1, exam); knowledge of sociological organizations in Latvia and their research directions (group work 1); knowledge of science communication in different target groups and mass media (individual task). Professional skills: skills to evaluate the preconditions and contextual conditions of the development of sociology in different periods in Latvia (presentation); ability to identify the role of a sociologist in the analysis and explanation of the processes taking place in the public sphere in society, in the formation of policy and in closer co-operation with other fields of science in Latvia (group work 2, exam); ability to prepare a publication and a media story (individual task, media training). Soft skills: ability to perform tasks responsibly, within time, as well as to explain opinion in a reasonable, critical and argumentative way, ability to participate in group work and discussions (group works, presentation, individual task, media training). Competence: ability to see the areas of contact between sociology and other disciplines, identifying opportunities for interdisciplinary research (exam); ability to evaluate and substantiate priority research directions in sociology in Latvia, taking into account national contextual conditions and EU settings for social sciences (exam); ability to communicate research results in different target groups (group work 2).
Course Content(Calendar)
Full-time studies Lecture topics (20 hours): 1.The place and role of sociology among other social sciences in Latvia. - 1 hour 2.Proto-sociology period. - 1 hour 3.Development of social ideas in Latvia in the interwar period. - 1 hour 4.Sociology in Latvia during the Soviet era: 50s - 80s of the 20th century. - 1 hour 5.Sociology in Latvia after the restoration of Latvia’s independence: the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. - 1 hour 6.Sociological organizations in Latvia, the most important sociologists and their contribution. – 3 hours 7.Sociological research in Latvia in the context of European social science priorities. - 2 hours 8.Perspectives of sociology in Latvia in the context of international cooperation. – 2 hours 9.Presentation of the research results in various target groups, cooperation with research commissioning parties. – 2 hours 10.A sociologist in a public space in modern Latvia. - 1 hour 11.Press release of research results. – 2 hours 12.Social media press release of sociological research. - 2 hours 13.Stories as one form of communication to promote the publicity of sociological research. - 1 hour List of seminar and practical topics (20 hours): 1.The contribution of P. Birkerts, P. Dāle, P. Jurevičs and T. Celms to Latvian sociology. Presentation. - 2 hours 2.Marxist sociology in Latvia during the Soviet era. - 1 hour 3.Professional sociological organizations in Latvia and in the world. Group work 1. - 1 hour 4.Sociology in Latvia in the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century: the most prominent sociologists and their contribution to research. – 2 hours 5.Priority research directions in social sciences in Europe and their topicality in Latvia. - 1 hour 6.New theoretical and methodological approaches in Latvian sociology. - 1 hour 7.Creating a press release on a sociological study. - 2 hours 8.Publication to the media of a scientific study. Individual task. - 2 hours 9.Creation of a narrative message for social networks: title creation, outline form, included attention-grabbing techniques, topic selection. - 2 hours 10.Analysis of stories by identifying elements of story making. Development of proposals to improve stories. – 2 hours 11.Creating a story for the media about the organization and its research. Group work 2. - 2 hours 12.Creating a message about research and posting on the media. Media training. - 2 hours Part-time distance learning: All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies.
Requirements for awarding credit points
Exam. The final assessment is cumulative on the following topics and tasks: 1.Contribution of P. Birkerts, P. Dāle, P. Jurevičs and T. Celms to Latvian sociology (presentation) – 12%; 2.Professional sociological organizations in Latvia (group work 1) – 12%; 3.Publication to the media of a scientific study (individual task) – 12%; 4.Creating a story for the media about the organization and its research (Group work 2) – 12%; 5.Creating a message about research and posting on the media (media training) – 12%; 6.Exam. Review of research conducted in Latvia (report and its presentation) – 40%. The study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with Order of the Vice-Rector for Studies No. 2.4-8/54 on distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. Students acquire the topics covered in each course independently, using the materials prepared and uploaded by the lecturer in the e-studies environment (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics is provided through self-assessment tests, discussion forums, and individual tasks, as well as during face-to-face or online consultations, lectures, and final examinations, according to the timetable.
Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work
Literature studies for preparation of an individual task and a presentation, preparation of a report on research conducted in Latvia.
Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes
Master’s students must prepare a presentation (12%), two group works (24%), they must carry out an individual task (12%), and prepare and present a report on research conducted in Latvia (exam) – 40%. 10% corresponds to one point on the 10-point assessment scale.
Compulsory reading
1.Kilis E. (2016). The Ambiguity of Hybridity and Encounter between Constructivism and Latvian Sociology (PhD thesis). Pieejams: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/31fc/458ac6c28e162c29d6165b9650f7481216bd.pdf?_ga=2.56968362.1084863233.1571649142-1030323293.1571649142 2.Kūle M., Muižniece L., Vēgners U. (2009). Teodors Celms: fenomenoloģiskie meklējumi. Rīga: Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts, 328 lpp. 3.Leikuma I. (2016). Pēteris Birkerts: es laižu savus darbus pasaulē. Jelgava: LLU, 2016, 296 lpp. 4.Tisenkopfs T. (zin.red.) (2010). Socioloģija Latvijā. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 535 lpp. 5.Tabuns A. Sociology – Latvia. Pieejams: https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstream/handle/document/28120/ssoar-2002-tabuns-sociology_-_latvia.pdf?sequence=1 6.Tabuns A. (red.) (1998). Sabiedrības pārmaiņas Latvijā. Rīga: Jumava, 277 lpp. 7.Vilks A. (2008). Filozofiskā socioloģija Latvijā. Antoloģija studentiem. Rīga: Drukātava, 167 lpp. 8. Derkevica-Pilskunga J., Bunkus J. (2023) Komunikācija. Rīga: Biznesa augstskola Turība, 208 lpp. 9.Beks K. (2021) Mediju un komunikācijas zinātne. Rīga: SIA “Biznesa augstskola Turība”, 384 lpp. 10.Jones P. (2008) Communicating Strategy. Gower, 198 p.
Further reading
1.Birkerts P. (1921) Zocioloģija. Skolām un pašmācībai. 1.sējums. Zociālā statika. Rīga: Kultūras balss, 281 lpp. 2.Celms T. (1939) Patiesība un šķitums: filozofisku, psichologisku und sociologisku rakstu krājums. Rīga; Valters un Rapa, 371 lpp. 3.Stradiņš J. (2009) Zinātnes un augstskolu sākotne Latvijā. Rīga: Latvijas vēstures institūta apgāds, 639 lpp. 4.Brikše I. (2016) Komunikācija. Mediji. Universitāte. Rīga: Apgāds Mansards, 304 lpp. 5.Veinberga S. (2019) Komunikācija. Teorija un prakse. Rīga: Sava grāmata, 336 lpp. 6.Kramiņš E. (2016) Retorikas rokasgrāmata. Runāsim skaidri, spilgti, iedarbīgi! Rīga: SIA “Biznesa augstskola Turība”, 624 lpp. 7.Miri R. (2020) Brand Storytelling: Put Customers at the Heart of Your Brand Story. London: Kogan Page, 232 p. 8.Parson R. (2020) The Heart of Communication. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 176 p.
Periodicals and other sources
1.Latvijas Universitātes Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts: Pieejams: http://www.fsi.lu.lv/, http://www.fsi.lu.lv/?sadala=59 2.LBTU sociālās zinātnes. Pieejams: http://socialsciences.llu.lv/en 3.LU aizstāvētie promocijas darbi. Pieejams: https://www.lu.lv/gribustudet/studiju-programmas/doktorantura/promocija/aizstavetie/ 4.Baltijas Sociālo zinātņu institūts. Pieejams: http://www.biss.soc.lv/, http://www.biss.soc.lv/?category=&lang=en 5.Humanities and Social Sciences: Latvia. - Riga: University of Latvia, Institute of economics, Latvian Academy of Sciences. ISSN 1022-4483 Pieejams: https://dspace.lu.lv/dspace/handle/7/402 6.Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmijas vēstis. A daļa. Sociālās un humanitārā zinātnes. – Rīga: LZA. ISSN 1407-0081 Pieejams: http://www.lza.lv/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=36&Itemid=77 7.Sociālo zinātņu vēstnesis. Daugavpils: Daugavpils Universitāte. ISSN 1691-1881 Pieejams: https://szv.du.lv/ 8.RSU zinātniskie raksti. Pieejams: https://www.rsu.lv/rsu-zinatniskie-raksti, https://www.rsu.lv/promocijas-darbi 9.International Journal of Communication. Online ISSN: 1932-8036 Pieejams: https://portal.issn.org/resource/ISSN/1932-8036 10.Media and Communication. Online ISSN: 2183-2439 Pieejams: https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication 11.Communication Research. Online ISSN: 1552-3810 Pieejams: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/CRX
Notes
Restricted elective course for the master’s students of the academic master’s study programme „Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”.