Stockholm University Department of Sociology Vanessa Barker, Docent/Universitetslektor vanessa.barker@sociology.su.se VT 2017 Course Plan: Grundläggande sociologi/ Basic Sociology PAO 1. General information The course consists of 7.5 ECTS credits at the First level and will be conducted in English. The lectures and seminars will be in English. Readings are available in English and Swedish. The Take Home Exam will be available in Swedish and English. 2. Course contents This course introduces students to the basic concepts of classical and modern sociological theory, particularly as they relate to work and organizations. We examine the rationalization of modern life, the rise of industrialization, urbanism, and capitalism, and how these broad social forces impact on social cohesion and class conflict. We investigate the effects of globalization on social organization, drawing out connections between contemporary social theory and work life. 3. Intended Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: Identify and describe basic concepts of classical and modern sociological theory Compare, synthesize and evaluate different theoretical approaches to social relations, with an emphasis on work and organizations Apply sociological theory to a contemporary work and organizations problem. 4. Teaching & Learning Activities The course is provided at full time basis for 5 weeks. Teaching is conducted through lectures, seminars, and practical student-centered activities. Students are expected to do the following: Complete assigned reading before each class meeting; Participate actively in class discussion; Attend lectures and seminars; Engage in pair or group work when assigned; Complete written take home exam 5. Assessment Assessment is based on how well students accomplish the Intended Learning Outcomes (outlined above) as demonstrated in the Written Take Home Exam. Please note: the final exam will be administered in Swedish. Course Work is evaluated according to the following standard reference criteria: A= This grade is earned when the student demonstrates his/her ability to analyze and apply sociological theory in an innovative, original, and thoughtful way, and uses compelling supporting empirical evidence to support arguments. The student can identify and explain basic concepts of sociological theory, analyze work-related problems and apply sociological concepts 1
and theories to explain them, and demonstrates his/her own reasoning and thinking in each response, all at a sophisticated level. The student uses the course material in an effective way to develop his/her arguments. The student can readily make connections between organizations and complex social processes across societies, engaging in a high level of relational thinking. The student can compare, contrast, and synthesize varying sociological theory to work and sociological theory with a high level of accurate detail. B= This grade is earned when the student can identify and explain basic concepts of sociological theory, analyze work-related problems and apply sociological concepts and theories to explain them, and demonstrates his/her own reasoning and thinking in each response, all at a high level. The student uses the course material in an effective way to develop his/her arguments. The student can compare, contrast, and synthesize varying sociological theory to work and sociological theory with accurate detail. C= This grade is earned when the student describes sociological concepts on a basic level. The student can analyze work-related problems and apply sociological concepts and theories to explain them, and demonstrates his/her own reasoning and thinking in each response, all at a basic level. The student uses the course material in a basic way to develop his/her arguments. The student can compare, contrast, and synthesize varying sociological theory to work and sociological theory with accurate detail but cannot make clear connections between organizations and complex social factors. The student provides evidence but does not relate the evidence to the explanation in a persuasive or effective way. D= This grade is earned when the student has difficulty analyzing and applying sociological theory and presents weak or little supporting evidence. Weak or missing links between explanatory factors and organizations indicates an inability to make connections or see relationships across complex social factors. The student can compare and contrast varying sociological theory to work and organizations but provides little detail. The student can identify and describe basic concepts of classical and modern sociological theory but provides less accurate detail. E= This grade is earned when the student cannot accurately analyze or apply sociological theory. Weak links between explanatory factors and organizations indicates difficulty in making connections across complex social factors. The student can identify varying sociological theory but cannot accurately compare and contrast them, indicating a weak understanding of key differences. The student can identify and describe some basic concepts of classical and modern sociological theory but with less accuracy and detail. Fx= This grade is earned when the student provides unfocused analysis of sociological theory and presents little or no supporting evidence. The student does not make relevant connections between organizations and complex social factors, showing an inability to develop relational analysis. The student can identify some sociological theories to work and organizations but cannot accurately compare and contrast them, indicating a weak understanding of key differences. The student can identify and describe some basic concepts of classical and modern sociological theory but shows consistent inaccuracy or misunderstanding. 2
F= This grade is earned when the student provides an unfocused and/or irrelevant analysis of sociological theory and provides no supporting evidence. The student does not make relevant connections between organizations and complex social factors, indicating an inability to develop relational analysis. The student cannot identify any of the different theoretical approaches to work and organizations. The student cannot identify or describe basic concepts of classical or modern sociological theory. Note: E grade is needed to pass the course. Fx indicates that the student is offered the opportunity to upgrade his/her course work as long as the course is provided in order to achieve at least E grade. A student with E grade is not entitled to redo course work to raise his/her grade. Students who receive Fx or F on course work twice from the same instructor can request to be evaluated by another instructor. Such a request should be sent to the Director of Studies. Students can request to have course work according to this syllabus up to three semesters after it ceases to be valid. Such a request should be sent to the Director of Studies. 6. Required Textbooks Giddens, A. and Sutton. 2013. Sociology 7th Edition. Cambridge: Polity Press. 7. Schema Day Date Time Format Topic Location Monday 16 January 13-15 Lecture What is Sociology? B3 Tuesday 17 January 13-15 Lecture Modernity: Marx, B3 Capitalism, & Alienation Friday 20 January 8-10 Lecture Modernity: Durkheim, Division of Labor, Anomie D9 Monday 23 January 9-11 Seminar 1: Stratification & Inequality Wednesday 25 January Lecture Modernity: Weber, Bureaucracy, Iron Cage Friday 27 January 10-12 Lecture Late Modernity & Social Networks Monday 30 January 9-11 Seminar 2: Women & Work Wednesday 1 February 10-12 Lecture Globalization 1 B4 Friday 3 February 10-12 Lecture Globalization 2 D7 D220 D215 D215 D7 B3 F3154 E387 E387 Monday 6 February 9-10 Seminar 3 F220 F315 F315 3
Tuesday 14 February KL 17 Exam Due Mondo 8. Topics & Reading Assignments Introduction: What is Sociology Giddens, Ch 1 What is Sociology? Ch 2 Asking and Answering Sociological Questions Classic Sociology 1: Marx, Modernization & Alienation Ch 3, Theories and Perspectives Classic Sociology 2: Durkheim, Division of Labor & Anomie Ch 3, Review Ch 1, Suicide pg 13-14 Seminar 1: Inequality Ch 12, Stratification and Social Class Classic Sociology 3: Weber, Modernization & Iron Cage of Bureaucracy Ch 3, Review Ch 19, Organizations and Networks Social Networks & Liquid Modernity Ch 19, Review Organizations and Networks Ch 7, Work and the Economy Seminar 2: Women & Work Ch 15, Gender Ch 9, Gender Socialization 340-345 Globalization 1 Ch 4 Globalization and Social Change Ch 5, Global risk society, pg 192; Ch 5 on Environment optional Ch 14, Global Inequality Globalization 2 Ch 22, Global Society: Internet and democracy, Globalization and New social movements pg 982; 1002-1006 Seminar 3: TBA Hur undviker man plagiering? 4
Inför tentan: Om du tar minnesanteckningar från föreläsningar och ur litteraturen, kom ihåg vilka som är dina egna ord och vilka som är föreläsarens/författarens. Var noga med att förse dina anteckningar med uppgifter om var de kommer ifrån. Detta gäller även om du hämtar dina anteckningar från presentationer som gjort under en föreläsning, t.ex. powerpointpresentationer. När du besvarar en hemtenta: Hämta inte andras texter från andra digitala källor som internet, utan att ange detta. Tänk på att Universitetet har tillgång till verktyg för att undersöka detta. Tänk på att plagiering även innefattar att skriva av en kurskamrat. Det är ok att använda korta citat. I huvudsak bör dock en tentamen besvaras med egna ord och formuleringar. Därför bör citat hållas till ett minimum. Om du använder citat var noga med att ange att det är ett citat. Dvs. då du använder dig av formuleringar från någon annan så måste detta noggrant anges och visas tydligt. När man använder citat räcker det INTE enbart med att ange källa, man måste även tydligt markera var citatet börjar och slutar så att det för läsaren inte råder någon tvekan om vad som är din egen text och vilken som är hämtad från en källa. När du tydligt visat att det är ett citat så glöm inte att ange vilken källan är genom att ange en referens. Tänk på att det är en stor skillnad på ett citat och ett referat. När det gäller referat så ska man formulera redovisningen med egna ord och ange varifrån man hämtat idéerna. Det räcker alltså inte att ändra tempus på verben och flytta om ordningen på orden etc. Om du är osäker på hur man gör referat, använd någon av de många skrivguider som finns för studenter. Språkverkstan är öppen för alla studenter på SU. Man kan ta med sin hemtenta dit och få hjälp med språk etc. 5