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2017/2018  BA-BSOCO1025U  Fundamentals of Social Theory

English Title
Fundamentals of Social Theory

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc in Business Administration and Sociology
Course coordinator
  • Poul Fritz Kjær - MPP
Main academic disciplines
  • Philosophy and ethics
  • Sociology
Last updated on 30-06-2017

Relevant links
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors: On completion of the two courses Fundamentals of Social Theory and Introduction to Economic Sociology, the student should be able
  • to describe central problems and questions of classical social theory
  • to present key concepts of economic sociology and its approach to economic life
  • to identify essential similarities and differences between these theoretical positions
  • to situate the theories within the particular historical, political, economic and social contexts
  • to identify and discuss competing theoretical explanations
  • to use theories for an analysis of social, economic, and political problems
  • to reflect upon the relevance of these theoretical positions with regard to understanding the social world
  • to write an argumentative paper with a clear structure that meets academic writing standards
Course prerequisites
The courses Fundamentals of Social Theory and Introduction to Economic Sociology have one intergrated exam. You can only participate in Fundamentals of Social Theory if you also register for the other course.
Examination
Interdisciplinary examination in Social Theory and Economic Sociology:
Exam ECTS 15
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 15 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The primary purpose of the 1st semester is to enable the student to adopt an integrative approach that combines theories and methods the two courses Fundamentals of Social Theory and Introduction to Economic Sociology introduce to. 

 

The exam of the courses Fundamentals of Social Theory (FST) and Introduction to Economic Sociology (IES) takes the form of a discussion paper presenting and using concepts and theories from both courses. This paper shall meet academic writing standards, including a clear structure. The courses with its mandatory readings and two joint workshops of FST and IES will prepare for this task.
Course content and structure

Aim

 

The course will introduce the students to key concepts and ideas of social theory. It will primarily do so by outlining the processes that have shaped modern societies and how they were analyzed by the first generation of sociologists. At the center are fundamental dichotomies, problems, and key concepts developed by classical social theorists that continue to inform contemporary social science.

The course will explore in more detail social phenomena such as civilization, urbanization, capitalism, industrialization, new technology and democratization with a view to deepening the understanding of  ‘modernity’ in a Western context.

 

Objectives

Students who complete this course will have a broad grasp of main ideas and concepts of social theory and an overall historical perspective on the landmarks and mechanisms of social transformations. They will have developed and practiced the skills of learning, analyzing and evaluating evidence and arguments by way of reading, discussing and writing. The course should provide them with a firm background and framework for the study of more specific areas of sociology taught in the subsequent parts of the Degree. 
Teaching methods
Lectures, reading, workshops with group discussions.
Feedback during the teaching period
Students will receive feedback during class and in the office hours.
Student workload
Lectures 24 hours
Preparation per lecture 4 hours
Preparation 178 hours
Further Information

Social Theory
Last updated on 30-06-2017