Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - Barcelona

Social Thought and Sociology

• code 10751
• course 2
• term Semester 2
• type FB
• credits 6

Main language of instruction: Spanish

Head instructor

Dra. Rita CAVALLOTTI - rcavallotti@uic.es

Office hours

Please make an appointment by email.

This is a basic Sociology course. It consists of four parts. In the first part we try to discover the interest and use of Sociology. The second part gives an overview of the development of sociological thought from its origins to the most suggestive contemporary proposals. The third part deals with the fundamental issues of Sociology. The final part, about methodology, tries to present in a simple way the arduous paths that scientific research has to follow to provide rational explanations for human behaviour.

No prerequisites are needed to enrol in this course, though students are encouraged to show curiosity, patience and effort.

The aim of the course is to invite students to learn and use Sociology and show them which is the aim of the study and its specific approach, most important theories, basic concepts and research methods.

• E05 - Ability to evaluate social issues linked to cultural diversity.
• E06 - Awareness of and respect for different points of view resulting from cultural and social diversity.
• G01 - To analyse and interpret social and cultural environments to identify need, opportunities, weaknesses and strenghts..
• G05 - To act responsibly and produce high-quality, rigorous and efficient work that benefits society.
• E07 - To acquire knowledge on the different issues and problems of current cultural debate and be aware of their constant change.

The student is able to:

- Acquire the vocabulary and key concepts of the subject

- Develop arguments and synthesis in debates and oral presentations

- Analyze and synthesize the texts used

- Diagnose problems in the intellectual, cultural and social fields

- Contextualize social and cultural phenomena

1. Introduction to Sociology

2. Social theories

3. Basic dimensions of Sociology

4. Methods of Social Sciences

(Please see the Spanish version of this teaching guide for a more detailed programme)

Classes will contain theoretical explanations and practical activities.

The evaluation of the course consists of two tests: Exam 1, Exam 2 and a Reading Diary o Reflexive Diary in the case of those students who choose to develop the "Practicum Solidario Curricular".

Both exams test knowledge of concepts.

Exam 1 will take place halfway through the semester.

Exam 2 will take place at the end of the semester.

Students who do not pass exam 1 will re-sit the whole programme for exam 2.

The reading diary will be handed in during the final lecture.

The final grade will be calculated in this way:

Exam 1 y Exam 2: (70%)

Reading Diary/ Reflexive Diary: 30%

ANTONIO LUCAS MARIN. Sociología. El estudio de la realidad social. Eunsa, 2011.

GLADWELL, Malcom. Fuera de serie. Por qué unas personas tienen éxito y otras no (Outliers), Santillana, 2010.