COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
PIR 103 E 4 3 0 0 3 5
Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) NA
Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: Reina Shehi
Second Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: NA
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Elective
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Course Description: This course discusses the study of power and politics from sociological perspective. It introduces students with macro-concepts such as formation of nation states, political institutions and sources of political and social change. From a micro perspective, it examines how social identities and groups influence individual political behavior, such as voting, attitudes, and political participation. The end goal is to study the political system less mechanically and focus more on its underlying social forces.
Course Objectives: This course discusses the study of power and politics from sociological perspective. It introduces students with macro-concepts such as formation of nation states, political institutions and sources of political and social change. From a micro perspective, it examines how social identities and groups influence individual political behavior, such as voting, attitudes, and political participation. The end goal is to study the political system less mechanically and focus more on its underlying social forces.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 Introduction: Key Concepts in Political Sociology
2 Social identity and socialization
3 States, nations and nationalism
4 Practice Session: Doing empirical research on identities: Researching identities in Albania
5 Migration and social integration
6 Political Ordering
7 Authority and Power in International Affairs
8 Governing Problems
9 Midterm Week
10 Practice Session: How are public matters governed in Albania?
11 Making of Society and Politics: The Power of Economy
12 Making of Society and Politics: The Power of Media
13 Living in a Global Village
14 Concluding Remarks
Prerequisite(s):
Textbook: Taylor, S., Hinchliffe, S., Clarke, J. & Bromley, S., 2010. Making Social Lives. Plymoth: The Open University. Bromley, S., Clarke, J., Hinchliffe, S. & Taylor, S., 2009. Exploring Social Lives. Plymouth: The Open University. Bromley S., Clarke J., Hinchliffe s., & Taylor S., (2009) Learning Companion 2: Introducing the Social Sciences, The Open University, UK Bromley S., Clarke J., Hinchliffe s., & Taylor S., (2009) Learning Companion 3: Introducing the Social Sciences, The Open University, UK Tarifa, F., 2014. Imagjinata Sociologjike dhe Bota Jone Sociale. Tirane: Onufri.pg 47-54;205-259
Other References:
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 To understand the politicization of social phenomenon such as class, race and ethnicity, religion and nationality.
2 To be familiar with major features of contemporary societies that is relevant to politics.
3 To learn how and what makes social values and attitudes change.
4 To be able to relate theoretical understanding to empirical data and analyses especially for Albania.
5 To be able to distill information, present ideas and defend a theoretical position.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Bachelor in Business Administration (3 years) Program
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)
1
40
Presentation
1
10
Final Exam
1
40
Attendance
10
Total Percent: 100%
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
Activities Quantity Duration(Hours) Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 2 16 32
Mid-terms 1 16 16
Assignments 1 12 12
Final examination 0
Other 1 17 17
Total Work Load:
125
Total Work Load/25(h):
5
ECTS Credit of the Course:
5