CORE153 Human Societies: Past, Present, Future

Fakulta sociálních studií
podzim 2025
Rozsah
2/0/0. 3 kr. Ukončení: k.
Vyučující
Dr. Werner Binder (přednášející)
Garance
Dr. Werner Binder
Katedra sociologie – Fakulta sociálních studií
Dodavatelské pracoviště: Katedra sociologie – Fakulta sociálních studií
Rozvrh
Út 18:00–19:40 P31 Posluchárna A. I. Bláhy
Předpoklady
!TYP_STUDIA(ND) && !PROGRAM(B-SOC)
We welcome students from all fields; no prior knowledge is required except the capability to understand English.
Omezení zápisu do předmětu
Předmět je otevřen studentům libovolného oboru.
Předmět si smí zapsat nejvýše 120 stud.
Momentální stav registrace a zápisu: zapsáno: 104/120, pouze zareg.: 1/120, pouze zareg. s předností (mateřské obory): 0/120
Cíle předmětu
Understanding humanity’s past is crucial for understanding contemporary society and its future. This course offers a “big picture” of the development of human societies, addressing the natural (human adaptation to and impact on their natural environment), social (social structure and organization) and cultural (classifications and representations of the world) dimensions of human existence.
Following an introduction, six lectures will each discuss a specific historical type of human society, from simple hunter-gatherer societies to the modern nation state. Rooted in a cultural sociological perspective, this course offers a unique view on human history, which does not follow a linear modernization narrative but argues that seemingly antiquated social structures and cultural forms are still relevant in contemporary society. The exchange of gifts may no longer be the dominant form of economic circulation (vis-à-vis market transactions) but it is still practiced on various occasions (Christmas, birthdays etc.); similarly, the nation state retains its importance in times of globalization. The course proceeds with four lectures that offer a more detailed analysis of contemporary globalized society, addressing topics such as adaptation to climate change, the rise of social media and transnational migration, ending with a lecture on the possible future of humanity.
Výstupy z učení
Students completing this course will not only gain a better understanding of human history and their place in it, but will also be equipped with conceptual tools that enable them to see contemporary society in a new light.
Osnova
  • I. Introduction
  • II. Simple Societies
  • III. The Transition to a Sedentary Life
  • IV. Conquest Societies
  • V. Empires
  • VI. Territorial States
  • VII. Modern Nation States
  • VIII. Global Society I
  • IX. Global Society II
  • X. Global Society III
  • XI. Global Society IV
  • XII. Future Societies
Výukové metody
Lectures, accompanied by a script.
Metody hodnocení
The student assessment in this course will be based on active engagement in the online discussion forums for each lecture. To receive credits for the course, students will have to make two original posts and respond with five comments over the course of the semester (only one post or comment counts per class, but you are free to contribute more). The original posting can be short (one sentence but also longer) and take the form of a question for discussion, a controversial thesis for debate, or even a critique of the readings or the lecture itself. Students may reiterate and refine questions and points they already made during the lecture and open them for the discussion. The respective online discussion will be active for three days after each lecture. Feedback on the discussion will be given at the beginning of the next lecture. Please be considerate and polite.
Vyučovací jazyk
Angličtina
Další komentáře
Studijní materiály
Předmět je vyučován každoročně.
Předmět je zařazen také v obdobích podzim 2024.
  • Statistika zápisu (nejnovější)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/predmet/fss/podzim2025/CORE153