ESOn4004 Contemporary Sociological Theory

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2023
Extent and Intensity
2/2/0. 12 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Ing. Radim Marada, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Csaba Szaló, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Tomáš Paul (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Csaba Szaló, Ph.D.
Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Soňa Enenkelová
Supplier department: Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 18:00–19:40 P52
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! SOC757 Contemp. Sociological Theory
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 17/20, only registered: 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
At the end of the course students should be able to:
understand major paradigmatic areas of contemporary social theory and sociological research,
discussing texts by sociological classics of the second half of the 20th century and by authorities in social theory who draw on, develop, and modify the classical traditions today,
understanding continuities and discontinuities in contemporary social thought,
comprehend links between the micro and macro levels of social research and analysis,
demonstrate the empirical relevance of abstract sociological concepts.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge of the basic analytical apparatus of contemporary theoretical sociology. Ability to critically interpret and apply articles published in academic journals for own research. Ability to employ relevant analytical apparatus for explaining various social phenomena.
Syllabus
  • Introduction to the course
  • Foundations of Social Theory
 - Turner, Bryan S. 2008. The New Blackwell Companion to Social Theory. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 17-80.
  • Actions, Actors and Systems
 - Turner, Bryan S. 2008. The New Blackwell Companion to Social Theory. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 81-196.
  • Perspectives on Social and Cultural Analysis - 
Turner, Bryan S. 2008. The New Blackwell Companion to Social Theory. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 197-321.
  • Sociology and the Social Sciences
 - Turner, Bryan S. 2008. The New Blackwell Companion to Social Theory. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 322-474.
  • New Developments in Social Theory
 - Turner, Bryan S. 2008. The New Blackwell Companion to Social Theory. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 475-566.
  • Reading week
  • Radical Microsociology
 - Collins, Randall. 2004. Interaction Ritual Chains. Princeton: Princeton University Press. pp.3-46
  • Emotional Energy and Transient Emotions - 
Collins, Randall. 2004. Interaction Ritual Chains. Princeton: Princeton University Press. pp.47-140.
  • Interaction Markets and Material Markets
 - Collins, Randall. 2004. Interaction Ritual Chains. Princeton: Princeton University Press. pp.141-182.
  • Internalized Symbols and the Social Prosess of Thinking - 
Collins, Randall. 2004. Interaction Ritual Chains. Princeton: Princeton University Press. pp.183-222.
  • Applied Radical Micorsociology - 
Collins, Randall. 2004. Interaction Ritual Chains. Princeton: Princeton University Press. pp.223-344.
  • Individualism and Inwardness as Social Product - 
Collins, Randall. 2004. Interaction Ritual Chains. Princeton: Princeton University Press. pp.345-374.
Literature
    required literature
  • REED, Isaac. Interpretation and social knowledge : on the use of theory in the human sciences. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2011, 194 s. ISBN 9780226706740. info
  • WAGNER, Peter. A sociology of modernity : liberty and discipline. New York: Routledge, 1994, xv, 267. ISBN 0415081866. info
Teaching methods
lectures, class discussions, presentations.
Assessment methods
position papers, individual presentations, final paper, written exam, activity in the class discussions.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Only for "Sociology and Cultural Sociology and Sociology exchange students
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2023/ESOn4004