Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Introduction to Sociology
Course Code
KSK_103
Branch of Science
Applied Sociology; Sociology and social work; Theory and History of Sociology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Communication Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-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
To familiarise students with the specificities of sociological knowledge and the possibilities for their application in the analysis of the behaviour and societal processes of the individual. Within the course, students acquire basic concepts of sociology and the most important methods of social research, thus developing competence to critically understand and analyse processes in society.
Preliminary Knowledge
Not necessary.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Understands basic concepts of sociology and key theoretical approaches explaining the interaction between individual and society
2.Understand the most important social processes and structures (such as culture, family, education, power, social stratification) and their impact on an individual’s behaviour, identity and social relationships.
3.Is familiar with the basic principles of sociological research, including qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Skills
1.The basic concepts and theoretical approaches of sociology are applied when analysing an individual’s behaviour and social interactions in different contexts
2.Interprets sociological research data and results.
3.Sociological concepts shall be applied in the analysis of media content and communication.
Competences
1.Able to interpret social reality: to understand and explain an individual’s actions and processes in society through a sociological perspective;
2.Able to analyse the structure and dynamics of society – identify and interpret key social processes and their correlation in different social contexts.
3.Able to critically evaluate social information – analyse empirical data, research results and information available in the public space based on sociological knowledge.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Preparing for seminars |
60.00% from total grade
|
10 points
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Preparation of seminars, independent learning of literature. |
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2.
Completion of the course evaluation questionnaire |
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-
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In order to evaluate the quality of the study course, at the end of the course the student must complete the study course assessment questionnaire on the student Portal. It is anonymous and its results become available to the lecturer in aggregate form only at the beginning of the next semester, so there is no way to influence the student’s assessments during the course. |
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
|
Grade
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|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
40.00% from total grade
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10 points
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The written examination shall consist of 15 closed-type questions in which the knowledge of the student is evaluated and 3 essay-type questions in which the competence of the student to apply sociological knowledge to the analysis of social processes is evaluated. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Sociology as social science. Historical evolution of sociology. The most important theoretical paradigms.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Cognitive methods in social sciences: quantitative and experimental methods.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Cognitive methods in social sciences: quantitative and experimental methods.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
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Topics
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Cognitive methods in social sciences: qualitative research methods.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Study room
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2
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Topics
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Cognitive methods in social sciences: qualitative research methods.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
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Culture and society. Stages of cultural construction: externalisation, objectification, internalisation.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Evolutionary sociology and social cognitism.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Social structure: social stratification and mobility.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
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Topics
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Social structure: social stratification and mobility.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Social structure: Social institutes, their historical and contemporary functions.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Social structure: Social institutes, their historical and contemporary functions.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Societal development, social change, globalisation. The notion of postmodernism.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Societal development, social change, globalisation. The notion of postmodernism.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Sociology and public policy, resilience and transmission of research results.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The impact of AI on society and research.
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Test
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Exam
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
30 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Andersen M., Howard F. Taylor. (2025). Sociology. The essentials. Australia, Canada: Wadsworth.
2.
Dillon, M. Introduction to Sociological Theory. 3rd Edition. Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2020.
3.
Bite, Dina (red.). Medicīnas socioloģija. Rīga: RSU, 2022. (1.-4., 7.nod.)
4.
Paula L., Korpa V. Socioloģija. Mācību līdzeklis. Jelgava: LLU SZF Socioloģijas katedra.
Additional Reading
1.
Introduction to Sociology. Wikibooks.
2.
Bauman, Z., May, T. Thinking sociologically, Cambridge: Polity press, 2019.
3.
Tisenkopfs T. (galv. red.) (2008). Socioloģijai Latvijā – 40. LU Raksti. 736. sējums. Socioloģija.
4.
Latvijas ģimenes paaudzēs. LU FSI, 2018.
Other Information Sources
1.
Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology Online.
2.
International Sociological Association Website.