Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Social Theories
Course Code
SUPK_093
Branch of Science
Sociology and social work; Theory and History of Sociology
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Communication Science
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Agita Misāne
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To master main modern social theories, understand their historical development and theoretical directions, to know and differentiate main theoretical approaches and authors.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basic knowledge in sociology.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Students know and understand the historical development and sequence of theories of sociology, know main theoretical directions, authors and their theories.
Skills
1.Students can differentiate classics and theoretical directions of sociology, can compare theoretical directions and theories of modern authors. Students correctly use concepts, compare and critically evaluate theoretical approaches in an argumented way.
Competences
1.Students are able to use theories of sociology in the analysis of modern society, as well as select the most appropriate theoretical approach to studying of certain social processes and problems.
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.
Individual work |
-
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-
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Independent studying of required readings, preparation of summaries and presentations for seminars.
In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
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Examination
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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.
Examination |
-
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-
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Activity at seminars and seminar works – 50%, examination test – 50%.
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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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Concept of “social theories”. Classical social theories. Founders of sociology: sociology of O.Comte and H.Spenser. K.Marx: characteristics of capitalism, historical materialism, teachings on class struggle and exploitation, concept of alienation.
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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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Concept of “social theories”. Classical social theories. Founders of sociology: sociology of O.Comte and H.Spenser. K.Marx: characteristics of capitalism, historical materialism, teachings on class struggle and exploitation, concept of alienation.
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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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E.Durkheim: mechanical and organic solidarity, sociological analysis of suicide, concept of religion, method of sociology. Ferdinand Tönnies: community and society. M.Weber: theory of social action and sociology of understanding, methodology of social sciences, sociology of religion, political theory. G.Simmel: structure of society, social differentiation.
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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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E.Durkheim: mechanical and organic solidarity, sociological analysis of suicide, concept of religion, method of sociology. Ferdinand Tönnies: community and society. M.Weber: theory of social action and sociology of understanding, methodology of social sciences, sociology of religion, political theory. G.Simmel: structure of society, social differentiation.
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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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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Historical development and changes in social theories.
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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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Modern sociological theories, their classification principles. Development of sociology in the United States. Chicago School. Structural functionalism: Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton. Exchange and rational choice theory – G.Homans, P. Blau, J.Coleman.
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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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Modern sociological theories, their classification principles. Development of sociology in the United States. Chicago School. Structural functionalism: Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton. Exchange and rational choice theory – G.Homans, P. Blau, J.Coleman.
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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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Critical theory: Frankfurt School. Neo-Marxism. Theory of conflict. Radical sociology by Charles Wright Mills. Symbolic interactionism: George Herbert Mead, Herbert Blumer. Impact of phenomenology. Ethnomethodology: Harold Garfinkel. Creation of social reality. E.Goffman.
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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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Critical theory: Frankfurt School. Neo-Marxism. Theory of conflict. Radical sociology by Charles Wright Mills. Symbolic interactionism: George Herbert Mead, Herbert Blumer. Impact of phenomenology. Ethnomethodology: Harold Garfinkel. Creation of social reality. E.Goffman.
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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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Differentiation of structure and activity. Giddens structuration theory. Giddens on changes in society caused by globalisation.
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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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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Differentiation of structure and activity. Giddens structuration theory. Giddens on changes in society caused by globalisation.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
|
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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Communicative action and public space theories of J.Habermas. Theory of sociology of P.Bourdieu. Analysis of modernity of A.Giddens, U.Beck. Postmodernism: Baudrillard. Sociology of Z.Bauman.
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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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Communicative action and public space theories of J.Habermas. Theory of sociology of P.Bourdieu. Analysis of modernity of A.Giddens, U.Beck. Postmodernism: Baudrillard. Sociology of Z.Bauman.
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Communicative action and public space theories of J.Habermas. Theory of sociology of P.Bourdieu. Analysis of modernity of A.Giddens, U.Beck. Postmodernism: Baudrillard. Sociology of Z.Bauman.
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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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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Sociology at the end of the 20th century: discussion.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
30 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Bauman Z. Liquid Modernity. Cambridge: Polity, 2000
2.
Beck U. World Risk Society. Cambridge: Polity, 1999, rep.2008
3.
Bodrijārs Ž. Simulakri un simulācija. Rīga, Omnia Mea, 2000.
4.
Giddens A. Runaway World: How Globalisation is Reshaping our Lives. Routledge, 2002
5.
Giddens A. The Consequences of Modernity. Cambridge: Polity, 1990.
6.
Gidenss E. Sabiedrības veidošanās. AGB, 1999.
7.
Outhwaite W. Canon Formation in Late 20th-Century British Sociology. - Sociology, Volume 43 Number 6, December 2009
8.
Profiles in Contemporary Social Theory. Ed.by Anthony Elliott & Bryan S. Turner. Sage Publications, 2001.
9.
Ritzer G. The McDonaldization of Society. Pine Forge Press, 2004
10.
Sociological theory / George Ritzer. 5th ed. New York a.o. : McGraw-Hill, 2000.
11.
Touraine A. Sociology without Societies - Current Sociology 2003; 51 (2); 123-131
12.
Webster F. Theories of the Information Society. Routledge, 2002.
Additional Reading
1.
Key Sociological Thinkers. Ed. by Rob Stones. Macmillan Press Ltd., 1998,
2.
Полякова, H. ХХ век в социологических теориях общества. М. Логос., 2004.
3.
Volkovs V. Socioloģijas teorijas: 19.gadsimts – 20.gadsimta sākums. DU, 2007
Other Information Sources
9.
Sage Journals Datebase