The Dynamics of Changes in the Contemporary Polish Society 3402-21DZWL

The aim of the course is to systematize the knowledge possessed by students on the contemporary Poland and to present the synthetic image of Polish society and its transitions during the period of last five decades with special stress put to the time after 1989. The course begins with the introduction to the role of sociology and sociologist in social life. Next, there will be discussed the knowledge on transitions in social structures, status of different classes, status and socio occupational groups, mechanisms and criteria of the creation of social hierarchies. Following issues are: issues of intra generational relations and characteristics of generational groups, social mobility, migrations, social and political activity, civil society and the activity of the third sector, relations between market transitions and social structure, social problems - labor market policy, dynamics and divergence of income, processes of social marginalization, functioning of the system of social help, Polish system of values, basic dimensions of axiology arguments, effects of education - skills and competence: of understanding changes in Polish society and its consequences in scope of attitudes and social institutions; market, political and social analysis of backgrounds of these changes. The general aim of the course is to present tha main course of these changes and discussion on the sociological perspective on Polish society. We are interested both in sociological "snap shots" of different parts and aspects of social life, ongoing processes and embedded theoretical and ideological approaches. In every case, as such, the answer to the question what sociology examines, how it examines is simultaneously an answer to the question what sociology not examines. As such, in the background of our course we will discuss paradigms in Polish sociology, its ideological engagement status and especially "The Great Paradigm of System Transformation". Students will eventually have the opportunity to refresh their sociological sensitivity and learn about most important information on the contemporary Polish society.