ENP-22803 Theories and Themes: Sociology
Course
Credits 3.00
| Teaching method | Contact hours |
| Individual Paper | 1 |
| Lectures | 6 |
| Literature study | |
| Tutorial | 18 |
| Self-study |
| Course coordinator(s) | prof. dr. ir. G Spaargaren |
| Lecturer(s) | prof. dr. ir. G Spaargaren |
| dr. ir. PJM Oosterveer | |
| Examiner(s) | prof. dr. ir. G Spaargaren |
| dr. ir. PJM Oosterveer |
Language of instruction:
Dutch and/or English
Assumed knowledge on:
RSO-10306
Continuation courses:
ENP-51306; RDS-30306; RSO-21306; ENP-31806
Contents:
This course offers an introduction to the major theories and themes in sociology. Students not only get insight in the work of both classical and major contemporary sociologists, but also learn to relate sociological thought to current trends and issues in modern, globalizing society. As such, the course provides a theoretical background for advanced courses in sociology and helps prepare for BSc- and MSc-thesis work.
Next to the introductory lectures on the life and works of a great number of important (contemporary) sociologists, there will be organized six prepared, interactive group discussions (on Collins, Giddens, Alexander, Beck, Castells and B auman). Preceding the group discussions, students will hand in a short review-paper of the text to be discussed at the meeting. This short review-paper (3-4 pages A4) will provide a short summary of the text, a review positioning the text and the author within the broader field of sociology/social sciences, and a statement/question as a contribution to the prepared group discussion. Students have to deliver five short review-papers in total before being able to enter the written exam. The short review papers will be graded with the use of four categories (unsatisfactory, satisfactory, good, excellent).
Learning outcomes:
- the students will be able to recognize and assess the works of major classical and contemporary sociologists. They will be able to connect authors and their works to key themes and topics in the history of the field;
- students can understand and actively reproduce key themes and major contents of recent debates in sociology and are able to identify the place of contemporary sociologists in these debates;
- students will further develop what C. Wright Mills referred to as their sociological imagination'.
Activities:
- attendance of lectures;
- participation in group discussions;
- preparation of summaries and short reviews of articles and formulation of discussion statements.
Examination:
The final mark of the course will be based on the five short review papers (30%) and the written exam (70%).
Literature:
Reader.
| Programme | Phase | Specialization | Period | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory for: | BIN | International Development Studies | BSc | 3AF | |