Annotation

This course introduces students to the key concepts and main research themes of political sociology (sometimes more narrowly titled as “sociology of politics”). The course presents variety of methodological approaches and favors actors (vs. structures) centered evidence based empirical research. Attention is paid to the classical and contemporary authors in political sociology: Weber, Schumpeter, Giddens, Habermas, Castells, etc. The general topics covered include the state and civil society, elites, public opinion, propaganda, political culture, citizenship, civic participation, social movements, non-governmental organizations, political parties, globalization, identities, etc.

Aims

The course extends the knowledge in political sociology (science of relationships between politics and society, acknowledging that political actors, including governments, political parties, pressure groups and social movements, operate within a wider social context). The course enables the theoretically informed and analytically rigorous evidence-based exploration of socio-political phenomena during the later courses of the Economics and Politics program.

Learning outcomes

• Have good knowledge about main issues and topics in political sociology.
• Be able to understand basic principles of the exercise of power, of the state relations with civil society; individual and group interactions in the political realm.
• Achieve practical skills of analysis of social phenomena in their political settings.
• Acquire habits of socio-political information finding, sorting and critical examining.
• Foster skills of public presentations and discussions.

Course description

Sociology involves the systematic study of the character and patterns of human interactions, structured by historical events, beliefs and social influences acting on an individual, a family or a wider social group.  Sociology should choose students who are interested in our society’s analysis which will uncover processes occurring in the society, social structures, culture, socialization, deviations, social stratification, structure and function of various social institutes, etc.

Course aim

Using main sociological definitions and theoretical perspectives uncover sociological way of thinking, enable students to describe, analyse and understand various social phenomena as well as to foresee problematic situations in social life (on the level of wider social groups) and find a reasoned way to solve them, using the sociological concepts, data and insights.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Understand main sociological definitions, concepts and theories.
• Analyze phenomena and social change in modern society.
• Identify and interpret connections between various social phenomena.