| Course title | Fundamentals of Sociology |
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| Course code | KSA/USSP |
| Organizational form of instruction | Lecture + Seminar |
| Level of course | Bachelor |
| Year of study | not specified |
| Semester | Winter and summer |
| Number of ECTS credits | 5 |
| Language of instruction | Czech |
| Status of course | unspecified |
| Form of instruction | Face-to-face |
| Work placements | This is not an internship |
| Recommended optional programme components | None |
| Lecturer(s) |
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| Course content |
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1. Sociology as a science I - Sociology versus common sense Definition of the basic differences between sociological and common sense. What does it mean to see the world sociologically? 2. Sociology as a science II - Society as a subject of sociology The conditions that led to the development of the modern society and sociology. Basic Enlightenment theses, positive and negative consequences of Enlightenment for modern society. 3. Sociology as a science III - Multi-paradigmatic sociology and sociological epistemology Basic definition of various sociological dilemmas and paradigms, comparison and analysis of them. Postulation of the differences in theoretical and empirical perspectives of national sociologies. Role of the theory and the method in researching and learning about a society. 4. Sociology as a science IV - relation between sociology and social work Definition and analysis of basic functions of sociology. Relation between sociology and social praxis. Explaining the relationship between sociology - social policy - social work. Example of sociological analysis of the social service act. 5. Society from the sociological point of view I - Émile Durkheim and Max Weber Basic definition of the theory of labour division and social solidarity from É. Durkheim and the theory of social rationalization from Max Weber. The main focus is in the explanation of Durkheim´s term anomy and Weber´s theory of bureaucracy and domain. 6. Society from the sociological point of view II - Karl Marx and critical theory Interpretation of Marx´s criticism of capitalism, the focus is on the explanation of the term alienation. Basic thoughts of the members of Frankfurt critical school focusing seeking the norm of a just society. 7. Society from the sociological point of view III - Present European sociological theories The concept of order and individualized conflict in the work of Ralf Dahrendorf. Social inequalities reproduction in the work of Pierre Bourdieu. The third way policy in the work of Anthony Giddens. 8. Society from the sociological point of view IV - Present American sociological theories The concept of integrated society in the work of Talcott Parsons and disintegrated society in the work of Robert K. Merton (focusing the social deviation theory). Basic terminology and categories of the theory of symbolic interactionism in the work of Georg Mead and Herbert Blumer. 9. General problems of nowadays society I - Sources production and its social consequences Post-capitalist society in European sociological theories (modernization of a conflict, decay of class structure and solidarity, separation of work and capital, globalization). Post-capitalist society in American sociological theories (decay of social contract). 10. General problems of nowadays society II - Organization and management of the society The third way policy of Anthony Giddens vs. freedom policy of Ralf Dahrendorf. Social state crisis. The development of the modern societies´ administration. 11. General problems of nowadays society III - Institutionalization Social control and socialization. Social deviation and corruption. 12. General problems of nowadays society IV - Society and the system of values The explanation of the term social coherency as the basic value of European societies. Sociological analysis of the consequences of social integration action plans.
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| Learning activities and teaching methods |
| Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming) |
| Learning outcomes |
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The discipline leads the students to learn about sociology as a multiparadigmatic science. It explains basic sociological problems, categories, terms and theories and their practical applications. Through the optics of this standard sociological apparatus the students will learn to interpret some social problems. The main objective of this discipline is to equip social workers with the ability to understand social consequences of problems that they have to deal with in their jobs.
1. Factual expert knowledge: student can describe the development and changes of modern societies student can identify the basic problems of modern societies 2. Theoretical knowledge: student can define the basic sociological theoretical concepts and paradigms Student can compare European and American theoretical sociological approaches on his/her own Student can assess basic problems of modern societies on his/her own Student is able to use the knowledge of basic problems of modern societies in a real social policy and social work situation (e.g. unemployment, solidarity, integration etc.). Student can doubt common sense about social policy and social work. Student can assess the impact of changes in social policy and social work for the clients and providers of social care. |
| Prerequisites |
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No prior requirements.
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| Assessment methods and criteria |
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Mark
The exam has a writing form. |
| Recommended literature |
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| Study plans that include the course |
| Faculty | Study plan (Version) | Category of Branch/Specialization | Recommended semester |
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