Modern Sociological Theory, 7.5 credits
(Modern sociologisk teori, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
| Course code | 430001D |
|---|---|
| Discipline for doctoral studies | Sociology |
| Academic school | School of Social Sciences |
| Research area for doctoral studies | Politics, Economy and the Organization of Society |
| Grading scale | G |
| Education cycle | Doctoral studentship |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Valid from | First half-year 2022 |
Validation
This course syllabus was validated by the Committee for Research and Doctoral Education at Södertörn University on 2021-11-30 according to the stipulations in the Higher Education Ordinance
Entry requirements
Admitted to doctoral studentship
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the doctoral student is able to:
Knowledge and understanding
- demonstrate good knowledge of key tendencies and arguments in central modern sociological theories
- demonstrate in-depth understanding of central concepts in modern sociological theories
- demonstrate in-depth understanding of similarities and differences between central modern sociological theories
- demonstrate in-depth understanding of the relationships between modern and classical sociology
Competence and skills
- in an independant, critical and reflective manner use relevant aspects of modern sociological theories in analyses of social phenomena
- synthesise and analyse the content of key texts by modern sociologists in a clear, well-formulated and well-argued manner
- analyse the development over time of modern sociological theories
Judgement and approach
- independently and critically reflect on the merits and shortcomings of modern sociological theories
Course content, modules and examinations
The course covers modern sociological theories, with the aim of giving students in-depth knowledge of important modern sociological theories and concepts. “Modern sociological theory” refers to the period from the end of World War II to our time. Influential theoretical currents in the international arena in both international and Swedish sociology are treated. The course is structured around a number of themes such as “Discipline, surveillance and digitization” and “Identities in conflict: critical theory and post-modernism”. In relation to the themes, a number of the more prominent theorists from the period 1945–2000 such as Jean Baudrillard, Seyla Benhabib, Pierre Bourdieu, Michel Foucault, Robert K. Merton, Erving Goffman and Shosanna Zhuboff are presented and discussed, together with some more contemporary researchers. The course also addresses the extensive feminist theory that has recently provided a strong impetus for change in sociology. The course also discusses modern sociological theories from a Baltic Sea region and Eastern European perspective.
Course design
The course is given as lectures and seminars.
Examination format
The course is examined through active participation in seminars, written hand-in assignments and a written essay.
Occasional absences from seminars may, after consultation with the examiner, be compensated for through written assignments.
The grading criteria are distributed prior to the start of a course or module.
If a student has a certificate from Södertörn University for compensatory support, the examiner has the right to decide on an adapted examination or alternative form of examination in accordance with Södertörn University's regulations.
Restrictions on accreditation
The course may not be accredited as part of a degree if the contents are partly or wholly the same as a course previously taken in Sweden or elsewhere.