Basic theoretical problems of sociology 1600-SZD-N-PPT-SOC
Sociology was established in mid nineteenth-century, by the mathematician and philosopher Auguste Comte. At that time, Western Europe was experiencing rapid changes: from the ruins of the feudal order, modern industrial society was emerging. The collapse of the old, known world has violated the sense of security. The establishment of a “positive science about society”, modeled on the triumphant natural sciences, seemed an obvious solution to regain control over the social world. In this founding period, all basic theoretical problems were formulated. They have never been resolved, and sociology from the beginning to this day remains divided into different approaches. This schism of “interpretative” and “positivistic” sociology can only be understood by going back to the foundations of the discipline and reviving the forgotten questions. And this is what the lecture will be devoted to. In the lectures I will deal with the following topics:
1.1. The socio-economic context of establishing sociology, or what happened in Western Europe from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century. How universal is the notion of “society”?
1.2. The mechanistic paradigm as the model for sociology and the founding schisma: can (or should) sociology be the “real” science? Two visions of “society”.
1.3. The nature of social phenomena: “figurations” (Norbert Elias), “social forms” (Georg Simmel) or “repeated assemblies” (Bruno Latour) versus “social facts” (Emil Durkheim).
1.4. The problem of “solidarity”, or what makes elements that have the power of independent locomotion able (and willing) to lead “corporate life” (Robert Park).
1.5. The notions of “culture”, value ideas and meanings versus functional and causative relationships.
1.6. The key sociological concepts of “modernity” and “modernization” in classical theories. The relationship between “traditional” and “modern”.
1.7. “Society” as the hierarchically nested organization (system) and as the set of individuals.
1.8. Rational and individual versus moral and collective.
1.9. Quantitative and qualitative methodologies: critique
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Term 2023Z:
Sociology was established in mid nineteenth-century, by the mathematician and philosopher Auguste Comte. At that time, Western Europe was experiencing rapid changes: from the ruins of the feudal order, modern industrial society was emerging. The collapse of the old, known world has violated the sense of security. The establishment of a “positive science about society”, modeled on the triumphant natural sciences, seemed an obvious solution to regain control over the social world. In this founding period, all basic theoretical problems were formulated. They have never been resolved, and sociology from the beginning to this day remains divided into different approaches. This schism of “interpretative” and “positivistic” sociology can only be understood by going back to the foundations of the discipline and reviving the forgotten questions. And this is what the lecture will be devoted to. In the lectures I will deal with the following topics: |
Type of course
Course coordinators
Term 2024Z: | Term 2023Z: |
Learning outcomes
Knowledge: Knows and understands:
WG_01 - to the extent necessary for existing paradigms to be revised - a worldwide body of work, covering theoretical foundations as well as general and selected specific issues - relevant to a particular discipline within the social sciences
WK_01 - fundamental dilemmas of modern civilisation from the perspective of the social sciences
Skills: Can:
UW_01 - make use of knowledge from various fields of science, in particular the social sciences in order to creatively identify, formulate and innovatively solve complex problems or perform tasks of a research nature, and in particular to: - define the purpose and object of scientific research in the field of the social sciences, formulate a research hypothesis, - develop research methods, techniques and tools and apply them creatively, - make inferences based on scientific findings
Social competences: Is ready to:
KK_01 - critically evaluating achievements within a given scientific discipline in the field of the social sciences
KK_03 - recognising the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems within a specific discipline in the field of the social sciences
Assessment criteria
description of requirements related to participation in classes, including the permitted number of explained absences:
Taking part in the discussion. 3 absences permitted
principles for passing the classes and the subject (including resit session): Active listening
methods for the verification of learning outcomes:
written essay
evaluation criteria: The ability to pose problems clearly and precisely; the ability to methodically search for answers; imagination; intellectual courage
Practical placement
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Bibliography
the lecture will be based on the well know theories and classic sociological literature – participants are expected to refresh their knowledge
Notes
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Term 2023Z:
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Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: