Introduction in Sociology 3500-WDS(n)

The goal of the lectures and classes comprising the course Introduction to Sociology is to introduce students to the basic concepts, problems and research conceptions of sociology. The course is intended to prepare students to more advanced courses in sociology offered by the Institute of Sociology. The lectures provide basic knowledge about classical and contemporary sociological theories. Participants are introduced to the leading ways of understanding and interpreting social phenomena used in sociology and to various theoretical perspectives
The lectures focus on presenting the complexity and plurality of research and theoretical perspectives in sociology. To this end, basic sociological concepts are re-constructed and the historical context of their development is discussed. An attempt is made to present the main ongoing disputes between particular theoretical approaches in the areas of analysis and interpretation of basic social phenomena, such as the state, the market, culture, etc.
The evolution of the sociological approach is shown against the background of the transformations of contemporary societies in order to illustrate the impact of non-scientific factors on the development of sociology and demonstrate how the discipline has coped with the key social problems since late 19th century. Analysis of particular social phenomena is coupled with the presentation of the areas where particular research approaches are used. Research methods preferred within particular research paradigms are also discussed.
The class accompanies course lectures in Introduction to Sociology. Its aim is to introduce students to the basic concepts, problems and research conceptions of sociology in preparation for more advanced courses in sociology offered by the Institute of Sociology. The class helps students to learn the content presented at the lectures through reading and discussing relevant sources.
The participants read texts by classical and contemporary sociologists. The central ideas and concepts as well as the historical origins of the basic analytical perspectives on particular social phenomena are presented and discussed. Participants also study the social and cultural factors affecting the development of sociology, discussing the main transformations of contemporary societies Since the end of the 19th century. The texts read for the class give an overview of major sociological literature, illustrating the evolution of sociological reflection on particular social phenomena