Syllabus Information

1.1. Introduction

The subject "Sociology" offers to students a knowledge of the fundamental characteristics of contemporary societies as a whole, as well as an understanding of the changes, conflicts and crises affecting him and a set of complex ideas about the action. This should be evaluated not by the view that transmit the media and various politicians but from the point of view offered by sociology , which is supported by consistent research and theoretical reflections actors

This course aims to provide students the possibility of incorporating this knowledge in relation to issues such as socialization, the decline of the family, problems of education, transformations of social inequalities, the limits of mass communication and the difficulties of politics.

The course is developed through theoretical and practical classes. 

1.2. Recommendations to take this course

For many students take this course is the first approach to a discipline that will probably challenge many of his previous ideas about society and collective phenomena, which required a good knowledge of current affairs through the media and a continued process of thinking about the links between the theoretical frameworks and everyday life.

The teacher of this subject suggests that students who wish to attend it, as it has an optional basis, are able to develop their intellectual openness, combining creativity with rigor and consider new cognitive horizons.

1.3. Context and importance of this course in the degree

The subject is agree with the general plan of the Degree as a part of a set of optional subjects that provide practical application in the context of a plural and complex society.

1.4. Activities and key dates

The activities developed consist of a critical reading of scientific texts, the study of issues of topical and an important and active participation in class through practical exercises, discussions and arguments of social, economic and political nature trying to overcome the common view on society and trying to incorporate knowledge gained in other subjects.

The specific dates of the key activities of the subject shall be determined in accordance with the academic calendar. The schedule established by the Faculty will be sent to the students through the ADD.

The course is discharged on the ADD of the University of Zaragoza, in order to provide students with e-learning tools, and information about the theoretical and practical activities that will be developped in the classroom.

2.1. Learning goals

The student, for passing this subject, should demonstrate the following results ...

1. To know the main theories on society and collective phenomena.

2. To understand societies and social phenomena and complex terms, recognizing the fundamental variables and the different dimensions (culture, values, power, horizontal sociability, etc.) from a sociological perspective that stimulates the ability of theoretical and methodological conceptualization.

3. To be able to apply knowledge to analyze and manage economic affairs.

4. To Recognize changes, conflicts and crises in global terms and in specific areas affecting contemporary societies to take them into account in the analyzes and economic decisions.

5. To Discover forms of social intervention adapted to each phenomenon and the logic of collective phenomena.

2.2. Importance of learning goals

The subject "Sociology" can bring to the students of this degree a global perspective of each of the various aspects that make up the society and the various instances of socialization in complex societies, the school system and the media, but a specific perspective about the changes, conflicts and crises of society in general and its various different spheres

3.1. Aims of the course

The subject and its expected results meet the following approaches and objectives:

- To now the main theoretical contributions and research methods of the applied sociology to the study of modern society and the most important collective phenomena.

- To analyze carefully the emblematic issues of the modern society that are the source of considerable controversy (family crisis, deviant behavior, the school in promoting social change, social inequality, the role of the media, the crisis politics, etc.)

- To incorporate the sociological understanding of economic analysis taking into account that society is a context that the economical science need to understand

At the end of the course, students will have gained an overview of a menu of interpretations and concepts that enable them to understand the structure and functioning of modern societies and the role that they have in economic activities, processes of adaptation and change,

3.2. Competences

To pass the course, students will be more competent in order to have

CG1. Capacity for analysis and synthesis.

CG2. Capacity to solve problems.

CG3. Autonomous reasoning capacity.

CG7. Ability to communicate fluently in their environment.

CG8. Capacity for teamwork.

CG9. Development of habits of self-discipline, discipline and rigor.

CG10. Capacity of criticism and self-criticism.

CG11. Capacity for negotiation and dialogue.

CG12. Ability to work in diverse and multicultural environments.

CG16. Sensitivity to environmental and social issues, gender equality, culture of peace and democratic values.

CG17. Motivation for quality and innovation.

4.1. Assessment tasks (description of tasks, marking system and assessment criteria)

The student must demonstrate that it has achieved the intended learning outcomes through the following evaluation activities:

In the FIRST CALL it will be two evaluation systems

1) Continuous Evaluation

It will consist of two tests:

- Written test (5 points). It will consist of the student's response to a test of 5 questions proposed by the teacher and related to the contents of the program and class exhibitions. For every question you can get 1 point.

- Practical tests (5 points). The course, given its theoretical / practical component incorporates learning activities for group and / or individually, which will consist of the development and discussion of problems, texts and cases. There will be 7 practices. The student may obtain maximum score for each of 0.7 points. 0.1 award will be added. So whoever has the highest score in all get a 5.0

To pass the subject is necessary to pass 50% of the total (5 points), being indifferent score has been obtained in the theoretical or practical parts. The call will take place at the end of the semester there will be no possibility reexamined practices, only theory. In that notice, the information on the practice note will be saved.

2) Global Evaluation

Students who do not opt ​​for continuous assessment, which does not pass the subject by this procedure or you want to improve your score, is entitled to present to the global test, prevailing in any case, the best test scores. To this end, will conduct a comprehensive review of the subject will have a theoretical part, consisting of the response by the student to:

- 5 questions proposed by the teacher, related to the theoretical contents of the related program. For every question you will get 1 point and 5 points total.

 - 1 question related to the practices during the course. It can get 2 points. The practice will include the analysis of a case (20%).

- You must also submit, after reading two articles recency of previously agreed with the teacher of the subject. You can get 3 points.

To pass the subject is necessary to pass 50% of the total (5 points), being indifferent score has been obtained in all three parts.

In the SECOND CALL, the evaluation will consist in a global test. The overall test will have a theoretical part, comprising the student response to 5 questions proposed by the teacher, related to the theoretical contents of the related program. For every question you will get 1 point and 5 points total. In addition, there will be 1 question related to the practices during the course. 2 may be obtained in practice points consistent analysis of a case (20%). Finally you must submit, after reading two articles recency of previously agreed with the teacher of the subject. You can get 3 points

To pass the subject is necessary to pass 50% of the total (5 points), being indifferent score has been obtained in all three parts. The evaluation of students fifth and sixth call will be made under the Agreement of 22 December 2010 the Governing Council approving the regulation evaluation standards of learning at the University of Zaragoza is approved.

Endpoints

Evaluation criteria

The rating will take place according to the following evaluation criteria:

Written test:

1. Logical and ordered argumentation of the answers to the questions.

2. Originality and creativity

3. Discursive coherence.

Practice test

1. Degree of participation

2. Expositive quality of the intervention

3. Documentation

Review articles

1. Understanding the contents

2. Development and creative application of the main contents to some of the social, political, economic, etc. problems of our contemporary world

Levels of demand:

- To overcome the subject it is necessary to obtain 5 or more points. 

- Between 5.0 and 6.9 points will be obtained the Approved, between 7.0 and 8.8 the Notable, between 9.0 and 9.9, the Outstanding and with 10 Matrícula de Honor

5.1. Methodological overview

The course is developed through theoretical and practical classes. In the theoretical presentations it will mainly target in two directions. On the one hand, a systematic presentation of the issues and problems involved in them, providing references that allow to contextualize the authors, to explain the theoretical perspectives in which they occur, their differences with other streams, etc. On the other hand, the central concepts and arguments that can be particularly complex or whose knowledge is often taken for granted in the literature.

The practical classes will be held with various tools: debate on the issues; practical exercises of reflection on contemporary phenomena; studies of specific conflicts; exhibition of videos that provide an understanding of modern societies from a global and complex poin of view.

5.2. Learning tasks

1. Lectures exhibition. They consist of the exhibition of lectures by the teacher, encouraging student participation. Its purpose is to understand the concepts of the subject in a clear, systematic, concise and entertaining way. It also aims to arouse interest in the subject and motivate students in their individual study and encourage the possibility that students join the area of knowledge in the future facing the realization of the doctoral thesis.

2. Practical classes. Teachers recommend students the appropriate documents for the study of conflicts that must analyze and solve presenting creative alternatives.

3. It will be posible to write a paper that the students, may subsequently present in class.

5.3. Syllabus

Theory

1. Theories and Methods. Introduction. Theory: positivism and critical theories. Methods: distributive, structural and dialectical perspectives. The discussion group.

2. Socialization. Introduction. Socialization (concept, agencies, mechanisms). Behavior diverted. About crimes and penalties.

3. Family. Introduction. Classes of families. Post-authoritative personality. Family life cycle. Family crisis?

4. Education. Introduction. Genealogy of the school institution. Modernity and education. Inequality and education

5. Inequality. Introduction. Systems of social stratification. Theoretical models.

6. Changes and conflicts. Introduction. Problems of legitimation of late capitalism. The cultural contradiction of capitalism. Post-industrial society and risk. Globalization.

7. Politics. Introduction. Actors: political parties, trade unions and social movements. Culture and politics: Muslim reformism. Ideologies.

8. Population. Introduction. Theoretical models. Demographic processes: birth rate, mortality and population composition 5.4. Planning and calendar

Practical tasks:

1. Discussion group (related to topic 1)

2. On the rational behavior of economic agents (related to items 1 and 2)

3. Share capital (related to item 3)

4. Counterproductivity and decrease (related to topic 4)

5. Local Currencies (related to topic 5)

6. Debt (related to item 7)

7. Ecologisms, Population or economy? (Related to Issues 7 and 8)

5.4. Course planning and calendar

Topic 1 (February)

Topic 2 (February)

Topic 3 (February  and March)

Topic 4 (March)

Topic 5 (March)

Topic 6 (April)

Topic 7 (April)

Topic 8 (May)

Practiical task 1 (February)

Practical task 2 (February)

Practical task 3 (March)

Practical task 4 (March)

Practical task 5 (April)

Practical task 6 (April)

Practical task 7 (April)

Public expositions (May)