Sociology of social movements 3500-FAKM-SRS
This course will discuss the following theoretical issues in the
sociology of social movements:
1. collective behaviour theory;
2. resource mobilisation theory;
3. concepts of political opportunity structure;
4. concepts of contentious politics;
5. frames and repertoires of action;
6. network and structuralist theories;
7. interactional theories, including actor and arena approaches.
In addition, issues of social movement research will be discussed,
including methodological issues of qualitative, quantitative and
mixed methods, as well as co-research with social movement
activists and related ethical issues in the study of social
movements and initiatives.
Throughout the course, we will use examples of social movements
from Poland and around the world, paying particular attention to
key empirical contexts for the development of the sociology of
social movements, such as the United States, along with Latin
America and Western Europe. In the analysis of specific empirical
cases, we will trace the process from the emergence of a social
movement, through its modes of organisation, institutionalisation
and possibilities of influencing external reality, to the end of its
functioning, paying particular attention to the diverse biographical,
cultural and political consequences.
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
K_W01 Is aware of ongoing theoretical and methodological
disputes conducted in modern sociology; is reflective and
critical of various positions
K_W02 Has in-depth knowledge about social structures and
selected social institutions as well as their interrelations
K_W03 Has in-depth knowledge about the types of social ties
and mechanisms supporting collective governance
K_W04 Is aware of the importance of a reflective and critical
approach to the results of social research, analyses and
research procedures
K_W05 Has in-depth knowledge about major international
and domestic sociological research pertaining to selected
areas of social reality or sub-domains of sociology
K_W06 Has in-depth knowledge of norms and rules governing
social structures and institutions
K_W07 Has in-depth knowledge about the functioning and
management of various types of organizations
K_W08 Is reflective and critical in interpreting the processes
occurring in Polish as well as global society and their
consequences for social attitudes and institutions
K_U01 Can critically select information and materials for
academic work, using various sources in Polish and a foreign
language as well as modern technologies
K_U02 Can independently form and verify judgments about
the causes of selected social phenomena
K_U03 Can use theoretical categories and research methods
in the description and analysis of social and cultural changes
in modern societies, as well as their consequences
K_U04 Can relate an academic text to the problems of social
life and its empirical studies
K_U05 Can prepare a presentation of a selected problem or
study in Polish and in a foreign language
Assessment criteria
Class participation based on required readings (30% of final grade),
a paper on a selected reading as an introduction to a class session
(30% of final grade), and a final essay of 7 pages in standardised
format with bibliography on a topic in social movement studies
chosen by the student (40% of final grade).
In addition to class time (30 hours), students should allow time for
class preparation (4 hours per week for reading), 4 hours to
prepare a paper for a selected class, and 15 hours to prepare the
final assessment (essay).
Permitted number of excused absences: 2.
In the event of an unsatisfactory grade, the student may resit an
oral examination during the resit session.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: