| Course title | Theories of Postmodernism |
| Course code | SociM010 |
| 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. phil., doc. Gunārs Brāzma |
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| Prior knowledge | |
| FilzM001, Philosophy and Methodology of Science Soci5043, Sociological Theory |
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| Course abstract | |
| The aim of the course is to develop deeper understanding about the processes in contemporary society in the context of topical researches and theories of social sciences. The course focuses on postmodern trends in society and on theoretical approaches to understanding of these trends. The course is multidisciplinary, including in addition to sociological research in theories also historical context of postmodernism and philosophical debates. Students expand their investigatory competence through the choosing theoretical and methodological approaches in the area of organisations and public administration. | |
| Learning outcomes and their assessment | |
| Knowledge: a student understands terminology and conceptions of theories of postmodernism included in the course’s programme and their connection with classical approaches in sociology – participation in seminars, individual works, the final test.
Professional skills: ability to use the theoretical knowledge of postmodernism in the study of modern society and organizations, ability to predict the processes in society based on the assessment of the current situation – participation in seminars, individual works. Soft skills: ability to responsibly plan and perform assigned tasks, interaction, collaboration and organizational skills – individual works. Competence: ability to independently choose the appropriate theoretical framework, including theories of postmodernism, to address issues of concern to society and to introduce an innovative vision in the operation of organizations – individual works. |
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| Course Content(Calendar) | |
| Full time studies:
1.The emergence of trends of postmodernism: historical context (lecture 1h, seminar 1h). 2.Definitions and interpretations of modernism and postmodernism (lecture 1h, seminar 1h). 3.The emergence of postmodern trends in aesthetics (lecture 1h, seminars 2h). 4.Development of capitalism and “light” modernity (Z. Bauman) (lecture 1h, seminar 1h). 5.The attitude of political ideologies towards capitalism. The critique of consumerism in Marxism and Neo-Marxism (lecture 1h, seminar 1h). 6.Characterization of postmodern thinking and its sources in history of philosophy (lectures 2h, seminar 1h). 7.The ideas of postmodernism in contemporary philosophy. J. Derrida’s method of deconstruction. Debates about language, extra-linguistic reality and linguistic relativism (lectures 2h, seminar 1h). 8.M. Foucault’s ideas about power, discourse and archaeology of knowledge (lecture 1h, seminar 1h). 9.Debates about social constructivism concerning the concept of “disease” (lectures 2h, seminar 1h). 10.J. F. Lyotard’s ideas about knowledge and science in postmodern condition. Debates about social constructivism in natural sciences (lectures 2h, seminar 1h). 11.Liberalism and postmodernism. Values and practices of postmodernism in states’ politics and legislation (lectures 2h, seminars 2h). 12.The tendencies of globalization in culture – McDonaldization (D. Ritzer), hybridization, clashes of cultures (lecture 1h, seminar 1h). 13.Perception of risks from sociological perspective (U. Beck) (lecture 1h, seminar 1h). 14.The impact of information technologies (J. Baudrillard etc.) and development of artificial intelligence (lectures 2h, seminar 1h). 15.Manifestations of postmodern society in a organization – presentations of individual work (seminars 2h). 16.Manifestations of postmodernism in Latvian society and culture – presentations of individual work (seminars 2h). 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. |
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| Requirements for awarding credit points | |
| An exam. Its final assessment is cumulative on the following tasks: participation in seminars’ discussions about seminars’ topics and literature chosen by a lecturer, (30%), two individual works – presentations (30%), final written test (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. |
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| Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work | |
| Master students study scientific literature, elaborate individual works – presentations. | |
| Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes | |
| Master students must participate in seminars, answering lecturer’s questions and justify their opinion based of literature chosen by lecturer. Presentations of two individual works and answering the questions of lecturer. Final written test about the topics of lectures – assessed according the grade system of ten. | |
| Compulsory reading | |
| 1.Butler C. Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: OUP Oxford, 2002. 142 p. Pieejams elektroniski LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/linkprocessor/plink?id=aacc13ba-298b-3cb
2.Postmodernism. A reader. Ed. by Docherty, T. Routledge, 1993. 541 lpp. 3.Hatch M.J., Cunliffe A.L. Organization Theory: modern, symbolic and postmodern perspectives. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. 351 p. 4.Oxford Handbook of Digital Ethics. Ed. by Veliz C. Oxford University Press, 2023. 816 lpp. |
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| Further reading | |
| 1.Featherstone M. Consumer Culture and Postmodernism. 2nd ed. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, 2007. 203 p. Pieejams elektroniski LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/linkprocessor/plink?id=f019a1a3-9722-3b60-9f35-5c83d05ec2bb
2.Tisenkopfs T. Uzburtā vieta. Rīga: Neputns, 2007. 267 lpp. 3.Hābermāss J. Postnacionālā konstelācija un demokrātijas nākotne. Rīga: Zinātne, 2012. 111 lpp. 4.Brāzma G. Relatīvisma problēmas no antīkās filozofijas līdz mūsdienām. Grām.: Praktiskā filosofija. Jelgava, LLU, 2008. 157.-172. lpp. Nodaļa pieejama arī e-studiju (Moodle) vidē. 5.Kūlis M. Finis veritatis? Par patiesību un meliem. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2021. 430 lpp. 6.Žižeks S. Par vēlu atmodai. Kas mūs sagaida, ja nākotnes nebūs. Zvaigzne ABC, 2024. 192. lpp. |
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| Periodicals and other sources | |
| 1.European Journal of Social Theory. Pieejams: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/est
2.Current Sociology. Pieejams: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/csi 3.Žurnāls “Rīgas Laiks”. Pieejams: https://www.rigaslaiks.lv/ |
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| Notes | |
| Restricted elective course in academic master’s study programme “Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”. | |