General provisions

This course is part of the Master's program in Sociology. It can also be given as an independent course. The course is given in English.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) within the social sciences including at least 30 credits in sociology.

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course, students should be able to show:

• advanced knowledge of classical and modern sociological theories which address rationality and morality
• advanced knowledge of how different theories and theoretical traditions which address rationality and morality have developed and changed
• an advanced understanding of the use of theories in sociological research
• a developed ability to independently and critically apply theoretical concepts and perspectives
• good oral and written skills in communicating sociological theoretical thinking.

Content

The course aims to provide in-depth knowledge and awareness of sociological perspectives on rationality and morality, how theories of rationality and morality have developed from classical sociological problems and how they are used to understand current sociological questions, drawing on theories and research in the sociology of emotions and culture. The course includes the application and examination of these perspectives to tangible contemporary problems. For example, the course deals with how actions can be understood and explained on the basis of moral or rational premises, how conceptions of right and wrong are regulated and expressed in different contexts and vary between different groups, and how morality and rationality are affected by societal processes such as bureaucratisation.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, group exercises and seminars. Active participation in seminars is always compulsory. Absence from compulsory components can only partially be compensated by written assignments. Students who fail to meet the attendance requirements will be referred to the next occasion the course is offered.

Assessment

The assessment is based on written assignments as well as on active participation during seminars.

Grading system: Fail (U), pass (G), pass with distinction (VG)

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Uppsala University takes academic fraud and plagiarism seriously and takes action against students suspected of involvement in fraud and / or plagiarism. Disciplinary measures consist in formal warnings and suspension from study for specified time periods.