Course Objective

The course is designed to introduce students to recent insights -both
theoretical and empirical- in social continuity and change. The focus
will be on the relationships between contemporary social trends and
structures on the one hand, and experiences and forms of agency by
citizens on the other, in relation to prominent issues around social
participation.
Learning objectives:
Knowledge and Understanding. The student has acquired knowledge and
understanding of:
(1) contemporary social trends and structures on the one hand, and
experiences and forms of agency by citizens on the other, in relation to
prominent issues around social participation;
(2) the most important theoretical and empirical discussions on these
contemporary societal issues through original texts of some of the most
influential contemporary sociologists;
(3) the role and responsibility of sociological researchers with regard
to continuity and change.

Application. The student has acquired competences to:
(4) identify and articulate core lines, similarities and differences
between the views of different authors;
(5) connect theories and concepts with current events, people and
practices, and thereby develop an academic view on societal issues.

Making judgements. The student is able to:
(6) use the knowledge and skills developed in this course to make
critical, balanced and theoretically grounded arguments and judgements
on prominent societal issues;
(7) reflect on their own position, opportunities and responsibilities as
a sociologist.

Communication. The student has acquired the skills to:
(8) reflect on his or her own taken for granted assumptions, articulate
ideas in a constructive and informed way and engage in dialogue with
students from all over the world;
(9) activate his or her public and inspire meaningful discussions by
preparing creative, meaningful and in-depth presentations in cooperation
with other students.

Course Content

Sociology has produced a relative consensus with regard to the processes
of modernization such as differentiation, commodification and
rationalization. With regard to late modernity and globalization,
however, no such consensus has been reached. This course is designed to
introduce students to recent insights -both theoretical and empirical-
in social continuity and change. The focus will be on the relationships
between contemporary social trends and structures on the one hand, and
experiences and forms of agency by citizens on the other, in relation to
prominent issues around social participation, such as: power and agency;
drama democracy, celebrity society and deep democracy; populism and
radicalization; super-diversity; and engaged scholarship. We will
explore both the underlying dynamics of these phenomena and the role
sociology may play in coming to terms with them.

Teaching Methods

Lectures, seminars, viewings of video materials (documentary films).
See: Weekly Schedule. Attendance for group presentations is mandatory.
Students are expected to participate actively in class, to research and
present in groups on selected topics (20%), to write an individual paper
(20%), and to take a final exam (60%). Assignments will be announced
separately via Canvas.

Method of Assessment

Group assignment (20 %), individual assignment (20%) and final exam
(60%).
Students need to pass all three parts.

Literature

To be announced in the course manual (see CANVAS)

Target Audience

Students in the Master Sociology
Also open as an elective course for students in the Master Educatie in
de Mens- en Maatschappijwetenschappen, the Educatieve Masteropleiding
Leraar Voorbereidend Hoger Onderwijs in de Zaakvakken and Exchange
students.

Additional Information

Attendance of group presentations is mandatory