SOC794 Contemporary Cultural Sociology

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Csaba Szaló, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Ing. Radim Marada, Ph.D.
Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Soňa Enenkelová
Supplier department: Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 14:00–15:40 U36
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of sociological theories and methods is presupposed.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course offers an opportunity to study key themes within contemporary cultural sociology. Our approach promotes the ability to use sociological concepts and theories in creative ways. Students are expected to actively participate in a seminar and write a term paper (2000 words) addressing the subject of one of the seminars. Term papers should discuss the chosen topic in reference to two academic texts published in a sociological journal in the last 10 years.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge of the basic analytical apparatus of contemporary cultural sociology. Ability to critically interpret and utilize articles published in academic journals for own research. Ability to employ relevant analytical apparatus for explaining various cultural processes and social problems.
Syllabus
  • 1. Seminar on meaning I: The sociology of evil. - 2. Seminar on meaning II. Ritual and the sacred. - 3. Seminar on meaning II: Emotions. - 4. Seminar on aesthetic forms I: Iconic experience. - 5. Seminar on aesthetic forms II: Iconic power. - 6. Seminar on aesthetic forms II: Performances. - 7. Seminar on visuality I: Words vs. images. - 8. Seminar on visuality II. Materiality. - 9. Seminar on cultural change I: Sociological determinism. - 10. Seminar on cultural change II: Engagement and interpretation.
Literature
    required literature
  • Faber, Agoston. 2017. “From False Premises to False Conclusions. On Pierre Bourdieu’s Alleged Sociological Determinism.” The American Sociologist, April, 1–17.
    not specified
  • ALEXANDER, Jeffrey C. The meanings of social life : a cultural sociology. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003, 296 p. ISBN 9780195306408. info
  • Adloff, Frank. 2006. “Beyond Interests and Norms: Toward a Theory of Gift-Giving and Reciprocity in Modern Societies.” Constellations 13(3):407–27.
  • Alexander, Jeffrey. C. 2008. “Iconic Experience in Art and Life.” Theory, Culture & Society 25 (5):1–19.
  • Iconic power : materiality and meaning in social life. Edited by Jeffrey C. Alexander - Dominik Bartmanski - Bernhard Giesen. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011, 262 s. ISBN 9780230340053. info
  • Bartmanski, Dominik. 2014. “The Word/Image Dualism Revisited: Towards an Iconic Conception of Visual Culture.” Journal of Sociology 50 (2):164
  • Bartmanski, Dominik and Ian Woodward. 2018. “Vinyl Record: A Cultural Icon.” Consumption Markets & Culture 21(2):171–177.
Teaching methods
Active participation in seminar discussion. Presentations.Teamwork.
Assessment methods
Regular position papers. Final paper.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2019/SOC794