COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
PIR 103	B	1	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 , Tuesday 10:00-11:30; Friday 10:00-11:30
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:	Compulsory
Classroom and Meeting Time:	Computer Lab III_ Thursday 08:45- 11:15
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	Midterm Week
9	Governing Problems
10	Making of Society and Politics: The Power of Economy
11	Making of Society and Politics: The Power of Media
12	Practice Session: How are public matters governed in Albania?
13	Living in a Global Village
14	Concluding Remarks

Prerequisite(s):	N/A
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:	N.A
Computer Usage:	N.A
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	To describe major features of contemporary societies that is relevant to politics.
2	To identify the political implications of social phenomenon such as class, race and ethnicity, religion and nationality.
3	To analyze what makes social values and attitudes change.
4	To apply theoretical understanding to empirical data and analyses in the field of political sociology.

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Bachelor in Political Science and International Relations (3 years) (Old) Program
1	Having and using advanced knowledge and comprehension supported by textbooks including actual knowledge in political sciences and international relations literature, materials and the other scientific resources	3
2	Analyzing data, ideas and concepts of current political issues and international relations, determining complex events and topics, making discussions and developing new suggestions in accordance with researches	4
3	Having knowledge and thought about actual topics and problems together with their historical, social and cultural aspects.	5
4	Introducing those who are interested in politics and international events with the topics of Political Science and IR and teaching clearly the problems and the types of solutions	3
5	Improving skills of working together with the main social science disciplines and other disciplines which are related to Political Science and International Relations	4
6	Improving critical thinking and skills in making research independently	4
7	Developing solutions about the problems and conflicts which are common in national and international arena.	3
8	Improving skills for leadership and research and analyze capacity of those who is responsible with national and international ones	3
9	Knowing any foreign language enough to communicate with colleagues and understand actual researches and articles	2
10	Gaining IT skills to use computer and technology) in order to reach actual knowledge	2
11	Gaining skills to follow societal, scientific and ethic values during collecting, interpreting, conducting of data related to social and political developments	4
12	Having consciousness about human rights and environment	4
13	Gaining the skills to follow actual developments and pursue long-life learning	3

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)	1	30
Presentation	1	10
Case Study	4	5
Final Exam	1	40
	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	1	17	17
Other			0
Total Work Load:			125
Total Work Load/25(h):			5
ECTS Credit of the Course:			5