Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Introduction to Sociology
Course Code
SUPK_021
Branch of Science
Sociology and social work; Theory and History of Sociology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Dina Bite
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
Introduce students to the specifics of sociological knowledge and its applications in analyzing society. During the course, students will learn the basic concepts of sociology and classical methods of social research, enhancing their ability to understand processes occurring in society.
Preliminary Knowledge
Not necessary.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.understand basic concepts of sociological science
2.understands the principles for applying key qualitative and quantitative research methods
3.understand the stages of conducting a sociological study.
Skills
1.explains social processes and social phenomena in a reasoned way
2.correct use and reflection of social research methods
3.the results of sociological research shall be collected and analysed.
Competences
1.apply sociological knowledge to the analysis of social processes
2.interpret the results of sociological research according to theoretical knowledge.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Research work |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
To evaluate a focus group discussion according to a specific plan and summarize the key findings. |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
The exam consists of 3 essay-type questions that assess the student's competence in applying sociological knowledge to the analysis of social processes. |
||
|
2.
Test |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
A test on understanding key sociological concepts. |
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 2
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to Sociology.
Description
The emergence of sociology as a science, its aims, and functions. The concept of sociological "imagination." The relationship between the individual and society. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Theoretical Paradigms in Sociology
Description
Structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. The concept of theory and its connection to research. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sociological research.
Description
Characteristics of qualitative and quantitative approaches, their application in studying social processes, and an overview of the most important research methods. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social Structure
Description
Social institutions as elements of social structure and their classical functions. The role of the individual within the social structure. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Interpretation of Culture in Sociology
Description
The construction, reinforcement, and introduction of changes in social reality. Fundamental concepts of cultural processes. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social Stratification and Mobility
Description
The process of social stratification, its characteristic types, manifestations of inequality, and vertical and horizontal social mobility. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The Concepts of Socialization and Deviance
Description
Theories of socialization, internalization, identity formation; theories of deviance, its manifestations, and connection to social norms; formal and informal social control. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The Concept of Modernity
Description
The diversity of modernities and the characteristics of contemporary society (consumer society, risk society, etc.). |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to Sociology.
Description
The emergence of sociology as a science, its aims, and functions. The concept of sociological "imagination." The relationship between the individual and society. |
|
Theoretical Paradigms in Sociology
Description
Structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. The concept of theory and its connection to research. |
|
Sociological research.
Description
Characteristics of qualitative and quantitative approaches, their application in studying social processes, and an overview of the most important research methods. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The Concepts of Socialization and Deviance
Description
Theories of socialization, internalization, identity formation; theories of deviance, its manifestations, and connection to social norms; formal and informal social control. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social Stratification and Mobility
Description
The process of social stratification, its characteristic types, manifestations of inequality, and vertical and horizontal social mobility. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social Structure
Description
Social institutions as elements of social structure and their classical functions. The role of the individual within the social structure. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to Sociology.
Description
The emergence of sociology as a science, its aims, and functions. The concept of sociological "imagination." The relationship between the individual and society. |
|
Theoretical Paradigms in Sociology
Description
Structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. The concept of theory and its connection to research. |
|
Social Structure
Description
Social institutions as elements of social structure and their classical functions. The role of the individual within the social structure. |
|
Interpretation of Culture in Sociology
Description
The construction, reinforcement, and introduction of changes in social reality. Fundamental concepts of cultural processes. |
|
Social Stratification and Mobility
Description
The process of social stratification, its characteristic types, manifestations of inequality, and vertical and horizontal social mobility. |
|
The Concepts of Socialization and Deviance
Description
Theories of socialization, internalization, identity formation; theories of deviance, its manifestations, and connection to social norms; formal and informal social control. |
|
The Concept of Modernity
Description
The diversity of modernities and the characteristics of contemporary society (consumer society, risk society, etc.). |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sociological research.
Description
Characteristics of qualitative and quantitative approaches, their application in studying social processes, and an overview of the most important research methods. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sociological research.
Description
Characteristics of qualitative and quantitative approaches, their application in studying social processes, and an overview of the most important research methods. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Theoretical Paradigms in Sociology
Description
Structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. The concept of theory and its connection to research. |
|
Sociological research.
Description
Characteristics of qualitative and quantitative approaches, their application in studying social processes, and an overview of the most important research methods. |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
PART-TIME
Part 2
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to Sociology.
Description
The emergence of sociology as a science, its aims, and functions. The concept of sociological "imagination." The relationship between the individual and society. |
|
Theoretical Paradigms in Sociology
Description
Structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. The concept of theory and its connection to research. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sociological research.
Description
Characteristics of qualitative and quantitative approaches, their application in studying social processes, and an overview of the most important research methods. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social Structure
Description
Social institutions as elements of social structure and their classical functions. The role of the individual within the social structure. |
|
Interpretation of Culture in Sociology
Description
The construction, reinforcement, and introduction of changes in social reality. Fundamental concepts of cultural processes. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social Stratification and Mobility
Description
The process of social stratification, its characteristic types, manifestations of inequality, and vertical and horizontal social mobility. |
|
The Concepts of Socialization and Deviance
Description
Theories of socialization, internalization, identity formation; theories of deviance, its manifestations, and connection to social norms; formal and informal social control. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social Structure
Description
Social institutions as elements of social structure and their classical functions. The role of the individual within the social structure. |
|
Interpretation of Culture in Sociology
Description
The construction, reinforcement, and introduction of changes in social reality. Fundamental concepts of cultural processes. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to Sociology.
Description
The emergence of sociology as a science, its aims, and functions. The concept of sociological "imagination." The relationship between the individual and society. |
|
Theoretical Paradigms in Sociology
Description
Structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. The concept of theory and its connection to research. |
|
Social Structure
Description
Social institutions as elements of social structure and their classical functions. The role of the individual within the social structure. |
|
Interpretation of Culture in Sociology
Description
The construction, reinforcement, and introduction of changes in social reality. Fundamental concepts of cultural processes. |
|
Social Stratification and Mobility
Description
The process of social stratification, its characteristic types, manifestations of inequality, and vertical and horizontal social mobility. |
|
The Concepts of Socialization and Deviance
Description
Theories of socialization, internalization, identity formation; theories of deviance, its manifestations, and connection to social norms; formal and informal social control. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sociological research.
Description
Characteristics of qualitative and quantitative approaches, their application in studying social processes, and an overview of the most important research methods. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Theoretical Paradigms in Sociology
Description
Structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. The concept of theory and its connection to research. |
|
Sociological research.
Description
Characteristics of qualitative and quantitative approaches, their application in studying social processes, and an overview of the most important research methods. |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Dillon, M. 2020. Introduction to Sociological Theory. Third Edition. Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2.
Bite, Dina (red.). Medicīnas socioloģija. Rīga: RSU, 2022. (1.-4., 7.nod.)
3.
Mārtinsone, Kristīne (red.), Pipere, Anita (red.). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2021.
4.
Bauman, Z., May, T. Thinking sociologically, Cambridge: Polity press, 2019.
5.
Tisenkopfs T. (zin.red.) Socioloģija Latvijā. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2010. (jaunākais grāmatas izdevums)
Additional Reading
1.
Paula L., Korpa V. Socioloģija. LLU SZF, 2010. (jaunākais izdevums)
2.
Eriksons E. Identitāte: jaunība un krīze. 1998.
3.
Laķis P. Ievads socioloģijā, Zvaigzne ABC, 2002.
4.
Latvijas ģimenes paaudzēs. LU FSI, 2018. Pieejams no: http://petijumi.mk.gov.lv/sites/default/files/title_file/Latvijas-gimenes-paaudzes-2018.pdf
Other Information Sources
1.
A Journal of British Sociological Association