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2021/2022  BA-BSOCO1810U  Introduction to Economic Sociology

English Title
Introduction to Economic Sociology

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
  • Alfred Reckendrees - Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy (MPP)
Main academic disciplines
  • Organisation
  • Sociology
  • Economics
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 30-06-2021

Relevant links
Learning objectives
On completion of the two courses Fundamentals of Social Theory and Introduction to Economic Sociology, the student should be able
  • to present different concepts from classical social theory and economic sociology
  • to identify and understand essential similarities and differences between theoretical positions from classical social theory and economic sociology
  • to appropriately use different concepts for analysing corporate, social, economic, environmental and political problems
  • to reflect upon the relevance of theoretical positions with regard to understanding the present world
  • to write an argumentative paper with a clear structure that corresponds to academic writing standards, particularly correct citation and referencing of literature
Course prerequisites
The courses Introduction to Economic Sociology (IES) and Fundamentals of Social Theory (FST) have one integrated project exam. You can only participate in Introduction to Economic Sociology if you also register for Fundamentals of Social Theory.
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see section 13 of the Programme Regulations): 1
Compulsory home assignments
This course shares a compulsory mid-term assignment with the FST course. The mid-term assignment has the form of a 10 page home written project. It is to be written in groups of four students and is a crucial part of the exam preparation.
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-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam Oral Exam
Duration: 30 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Preparation time: With the listed preparation time: 30 Minutes
Examiner(s): If it is an internal examination, there will be a second internal examiner at the re-exam. If it is an external examination, there will be an external examiner.
Aids: Open book: all written and electronic aids
The student is allowed to bring to the preparation room: Simple writing and drawing utensils, laptop/tablet as a reference book (NB: there are no electric outlets available), any calculator, books including translation dictionaries, compendiums, notes. PLEASE NOTE: Students are not allowed to communicate with others during the preparation time.
Description of the exam procedure

The exam of the courses IES and FST 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 two courses with their mandatory readings as well as two joint workshops of IES and FST will prepare for this task.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The objective of this course is to introduce the students to key concepts of Economic Sociology. We study markets, firms, and change in society: How do markets work? What do firms do and how are they organized? How do firms and markets interact?

 

We ask these questions because markets are constructed by firms and other actors like the state. They are embedded in social and political structures. Such relations as well as interactions within firms and between firms are of Interest to Economic Sociology and are at the centre of the course.

 

The course also introduces to different types of academic texts and includes introducing excercises to academic writing, particularly finding literature and referencing.
Description of the teaching methods
The course is based on a combination of weekly lectures (1h) connected to interactive workshops (2h) including text work, case discussions, group work, and brief presentations of the students. Some lectures will be prepared as pre-recorded videos and other online material. The different approaches will be evaluated during a mid-term evaluation.

Preparation for class includes reading book chapters and articles as well as using online material. Three assignments (2 quizzes and one short text) provide possibilities for feedback and support the learning process.

Two joined workshops of the courses IES and FST in which student groups work on a specific case and develop a presentation help prepare for the mid-term assignment and the final exam.

In the autumn 2021 parts of the teaching may take place online.
Feedback during the teaching period
The course provides continuous feedback in lectures, on home assignments and in workshops.
1. The teachers give collective and/or individual feedback on quizzes and assignments (either in the lectures or via CANVAS) with regard to understanding of the syllabus.
2. The mid-term assignment is followed by a feedback workshop including guided peer-to-peer feedback and teachers' feedback to each group.
3. The final exam is followed by individual feedback sessions.
4. Office hours are available for all students, specific time slots will be provided, but also meetings on-demand. Students are encouraged to make use of this individually or in groups.
Student workload
preparing for classes (1.5h per 1h teaching) 54 hours
lectures/workshop 36 hours
exam workshops 6 hours
Excercises: Acadmic writing 6 hours
mid-term assignment perparation 10 hours
mid-term assignment 18 hours
exam preparation 36 hours
writing the exam 35 hours
diverse 4 hours
Further Information

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.
Expected literature

Textbook

Carruthers, Bruce G. and Babb, Sarah L. (2013). Economy/Society. Markets, Meanings, and Social Structure (2nd. ed.), Thousand Oaks, London: SAGE. ISBN 978-1-4129-9496-5. (select chapters)

 

Articles will include, f.e.

 

Beckert, J. (1999) 'Agency, Entrepreneurs, and Institutional Change. The Rolle of Strategic Choice and Institutionalized Practices in Organizations.' Organization Studies 20(5), 777-799.

Fligstein, N. (2002) 'Markets as Politics: A Political-Cultural Approach to Market Institutions' In Readings in Economic Sociology, ed. by N. Woolsey Biggert, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 197-218.

Granovetter, M. (2002) 'Economic Action and Social Structure: The Problem of Embeddedness', In Readings in Economic Sociology, ed. by N. Woolsey Biggert, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 69-93.

Schumpeter, J. (1942/1994) 'The Process of Creative Destruction' In Capitalism, Socialism & Democracy. With a New Introduction by R. Swedberg, London & New York, pp. 81-86.

Williamson, O.E. (1981). 'The Economics of Organization: The Transaction Cost Approach.' American Journal of Sociology87(3), 548–577.
Last updated on 30-06-2021