General provisions

The course is single subject course at B-level and is equivalent to full-time studies.

Entry requirements

All foreign students who have been accepted in the official student exchange programs at Uppsala University

Learning outcomes

The course objectives are that the student gains an ability to understand theorising within modern sociology and social psychology and an ability to apply concepts from this theorising in analyses of social issues. Objectives are also that the student develops an understanding sociological methodology and techniques for empirical sociological research especially in targeting issues related to the Nordic welfare states. The course objectives are furthermore that the student develops skills in both searching sociologically relevant information from various sources, ability to critically reflect on such information and skills to communicate sociological and social psychological thinking and analysis orally as well as in writing.

After finishing the course the student will:

- have gained knowledge about theories and concepts within modern sociology and social psychology

- be able to understand, critically reflect upon and present theorising within modern sociology and social psychology

- be able to apply concepts from this theorising in analyses of social issues and present this orally and in writing

- have gained knowledge about different methodological approaches and techniques for empirical research especially in targeting social issues related to the Nordic welfare state

- be able to choose and present a methodological approach and techniques for data collection that fit a chosen research question in a sociological or social psychological study

- be able to search sociologically relevant information from various sources, critically reflect on such information and communicate about it

Content

The course includes fours parts:

1. Symbolic Interactionism, 7.5 credit points

The objectives are that the student gains knowledge about and an ability to understand theorising within social psychology and furthermore an ability to apply concepts from this theorising in analyses of social issues. Some classics within the field are studied and compared to current mainstream interactionism. Gender issues are stressed as well as the importance of the close connection between social reality and the perspective of symbolic interactionism. Qualitative interviewing and observation are both included as examples of how to apply the perspective.

After finishing this part the student will:

- have gained knowledge about classic and modern theories and concepts within social psychology

- be able to understand, critically reflect upon and present theorising within social psychology

- be able to apply concepts from this theorising in discussion of social issues and present this orally and in writing

- be able to reflect upon gender issues from a social psychological perspective

- have gained knowledge about different methodological approaches and techniques for empirical social psychological research

2. Modern Sociological Theory, 7.5 credit points

The objectives are that the student gains knowledge about and an ability to understand theorising within modern sociology and furthermore an ability to apply concepts from this theorising in analyses of social issues. The selection of theories to focus may vary depending on the teacher's choice.

After finishing the course the student will:

- have gained knowledge about theories and concepts within modern sociology and about ongoing theory discussions

- be able to understand, critically reflect upon and present theorising within modern sociology

- be able to apply concepts from this theorising in discussion of social issues and present this orally and in writing

3. Methods, with a focus on the Nordic Welfare State, 7.5 credit points

The objectives are that the student further develops the understanding from earlier level of sociological methodology and techniques for empirical sociological research, by developing a basic understanding of how qualitative as well as quantitative approaches are applied especially targeting issues related to the Nordic welfare states. The course objectives are furthermore that the student develops skills in both searching sociologically relevant information from various sources, ability to critically reflect on such information. The student will critically scrutinise research reports.

After finishing the course the student will:

- be able to describe sociological information with descriptive statistics and in the form of tables and diagrams

- be able to formulate and test an hypothesis about bivariate relations in sociological data

- be able to plan and conduct minor qualitative interviews and observations in order to analyse sociological problems

- be able to conduct a minor study with a grounded theory approach

- be able to analyse empirical datat with a qualitative computer program for instance Atlas ti

4. Applied Sociology, 7.5 credit points

The course objectives are that the student gains a developed understanding of how sociological methodology and techniques for empirical sociological research are applied on sociological and social psychological issues. The course objectives are furthermore that the student develops the skills in both searching sociologically relevant information from various sources, ability to critically reflect on such information and skills to communicate sociological and social psychological thinking and analysis orally as well as in writing. The student will conduct minor sociological studies and apply qualitative as well as quantitative methods The results of these applications are presented in a written report.

After finishing the course the student will:

- have gained further knowledge about different methodological approaches and techniques and how they may be combined in empirical research

- be able to present and critically reflect upon a methodological approach and techniques for data collection that fit a chosen research question in a sociological or social psychological study

- be able to search sociologically relevant information from various sources, critically reflect on such information and communicate about it

- be able to integrate results of both quantitative and qualitative analysis in order to increase understanding of social processes

- be able to report the studies orally and in writing

Instruction

The teaching activities consist of lectures, lessons, group work and seminars. Particpation at seminars is compulsory. Other obligatory demands are found in the course schedule. Students not participating in what is obligatory are expected to compensate for absency by a written assignments.

Assessment

The course is examined by a written test, written assignments and seminars. Course marks are given in a scale of three steps –passed with distinction (VG), passed (G) and failed (U). In order to pass with distinction on the course as a whole, at least half (50%) of all the course marks have to be pass with distinction. If written assignments are delivered after dead line the credit level pass with distinction is only possible, if there are special reasons for the delay. When examination takes the form of written assignments, in order to pass, supplementary examination may be asked for, but only one time and to be delivered within ten days.. When the examination is a written test new opportunities are offered.

Other regulations

Sociology and Sociology oriented towards working life, organisation and personnel issues (AOP) are not separate subjects and can not be included in an exam together with the subject Social Psychology by those who started their studies Autumn 1998 or later.