RSO-10306 Sociology

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Contents:

The course consists of lectures of two times three quarters two times a week, and tutorials of two times one hour one time a week. Attendance of the tutorials is mandatory. The lectures discuss fundamental sociological questions and themes. During the tutorials we discuss how to apply fundamental sociological insights to the context of international development. Specific attention will be devoted to the early sociologists. We will discuss their insights and assess their influence on more recent sociological analyses of contemporary societal issues. In addition, students attend three mandatory practical sessions on presentation skills, lasting four hours each. In these sessions, students practice oral presentation skills, on the basis of sociological issues. Students present parts of the book and/or other study material.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- describe and explain basic sociological questions, approaches, theories and concepts;
- apply these basic sociological questions, approaches, theories and concepts to the context of international development;
- use basic sociological questions, approaches, theories and concepts to interpret and discuss contemporary social processes, in particular of their field of study;
- describe, explain and then discuss the differences and similarities between the major classical approaches and authors;
- explain basic sociological questions, approaches, theories and concepts in a clear oral presentation in public.

Activities:

- attending lectures, mandatory tutorials and presentation working groups;
- literature study;
- two written assignments;
- oral presentations (incl. writing of a reflection report).

Examination:

- written exam (65%);
- written assignments (35%).
Both written exam and the written assignments need a minimum mark of 5.5. In case of no-pass for written assignments new assignments need to be done during the official re-exam periods. Non-attendance of the mandatory tutorials negatively affects the assessment of the written assignments. Additionally, to pass the course the oral presentation skills part has to be completed satisfactorily.

Literature:

Macionis, J.J.; Peper, B.; Van der Leun, J. (2014). De Samenleving; kennismaking met de sociologie. Amsterdam: Pearson benelux, 2014. 12de ed.