Syllabus Information

1. General information

1.1. Aims of the course

The general objective of the course is:

Learn to carry out in-depth analysis on relevant issues in today's society to future journalism professionals.

These approaches and objectives are aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/), in such a way that the acquisition of the results of Learning the subject provides training and competence to contribute to some extent to its achievement:

• Goal 1: No poverty
• Goal 4: Quality education.
• Goal 5: Gender equality.
• Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
• Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
• Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
• Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions.

1.2. Context and importance of this course in the degree

The subject of "Sociology of the Present World" is framed within the module "Analysis and interpretation of areas of reality", which introduces the knowledge so that the future professional is able to contextualize and interpret reality. The subject carries out some of the practical activities in coordination with the" Informative Documentation" subject.

1.3. Recommendations to take this course

There is no need of having previous knowledge on Sociology

2. Learning goals

2.1. Competences

By passing the subject, the student will be more competent to ...

Basic and general competences

CB1 - That students have demonstrated to possess and understand knowledge in an area of ​​study that starts from the base of general secondary education, and is usually found at a level that, although supported by advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects involving knowledge from the cutting edge of the field of study

CB2 - That students know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and possess the competencies that are usually demonstrated through the elaboration and defense of arguments and the resolution of problems within their area of ​​study

CB3 - That students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of study) to make judgments that include a reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific or ethical nature

CB4 - That students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialized and non-specialized audiences

CB5 - That students have developed those learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy

Specific skills

CE1 - Be competent in the investigation and analysis of reality in its various fields (political, legal, economic, juridical, artistic, cultural, scientific, technological and sports). This competence for the interpretation of reality is the fundamental competence on which the work of any information and communication professional in any field is based. It is also the competence that the professionals themselves value in the first place, according to the consultations and surveys carried out for the preparation of this study plan.

CE1.1 - Knowledge of the state of the world, its recent historical evolution and the basic parameters in the various fields. It is a skill of enormous potential dimensions, but of special relevance in the objectives of the degree. The journalist must be competent in the contextualization of the present in the appropriate structures and situations, for which he needs sufficient knowledge of the state of the world in all its fields and must also be able to interpret texts and data from very diverse fields and reason critically with them.

CE1.2 - Ability to search and manage information. Indispensable in his work of interpreting reality is the ability to search and handle information, analyze it, synthesize it, synthesize it, rank it and manage it, for which he also needs to be able to use the appropriate technologies and master the specific procedures for searching for information and inquiry.

2.2. Learning goals

The student, to pass this subject, must demonstrate the following results ...

- Understand the knowledge about the keys for the sociological interpretation of the current world and the methods of sociological analysis, using indicators

- Understand and relate the concepts, principles and methods of sociological analysis with journalistic information on relevant events of social actors and institutions.

- Effectively apply knowledge about the rights to freedom of expression and information and their limits, as well as the basic legal norms of the journalistic profession, with indicators

- Effectively apply the instruments and procedures of Sociology to the analysis of practical cases.

- Interpret and apply procedural knowledge to elucidate the keys of documents and information texts, with indicators

- Develop hypotheses on journalistic information to analyze the role of the media in the "social construction of reality"

- Ability to promote egalitarian awareness of people and peoples, respect international human rights, with indicators

- Determine the values ​​of respect for human rights in journalistic information and in narrated situations.

- Adopt a favorable attitude towards respect for individual and collective fundamental values, with indicators

- Determine the values ​​of respect for human rights in journalistic information and in the debates promoted from them. .

2.3. Importance of learning goals

Having acquired theoretical and methodological tools that allow carrying out own research on a current social problem or conflict, knowing how to analyze the information obtained, drawing own conclusions and knowing how to communicate them are relevant lessons for the journalist profession.

3. Assessment (1st and 2nd call)

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

The students must demonstrate that they have achieved the expected learning outcomes through the following assessment activities:

The evaluation in this subject is carried out in all the calls by means of a global assessment that consists of the realization of a theoretical exam and the delivery of a research work

First Call

Global assessment

a) The theoretical part of the subject will be evaluated by means of an individual written exam. The exam will consist of 5 open questions related to the contents taught in the theoretical classes of the subject. The weighting of this test is 60% of the final grade. In it, the following will be valued:

- Correct definition and understanding of basic concepts of Sociology.

- Correct explanation of basic theoretical knowledge of Sociology.

- Ability to relate content to each other

- Application of the contents to practical examples

b) The practical part will be evaluated by rating the written report on a social research project to be carried out in groups of 3 to 5 participants. The weighting of this test is 40% of the final grade. The delivery date cannot be later than the exam. In this work, the following aspects will be valued:

- Formal presentation appropriate to an academic work, correct formulation of the objectives and hypotheses, well-founded documentation, correct writing of the research results, capacity for optimal elaboration of discussion and conclusions.

- Correct internal structure

- Expository clarity.

- That the sociological data, the concepts and the theory are well applied to the analysis of the conflict or social problem.

- Correct use of bibliographic references

It is necessary to pass each of the parts separately so that both can be added to obtain the final grade

Second Call and next calls

Both the 2nd call, as well as the 5th and 6th calls will be evaluated the same as in the first call

a) Evaluation criteria: The same as in the First Call.

b) Weighting of the evaluation activities: The same as in the First Call.

NOTE: If any student has difficulties to carry out the group work, he/she will notify the teacher to have the option of making it individually

4. Methodology, learning tasks, syllabus and resources

4.1. Methodological overview

The methodology followed in this course is oriented towards the achievement of the learning objectives. It is based on active methodologies that favor the development of critical thinking. A wide range of tasks are implemented in teaching and learning, such as weekly practical case sessions, group work to carry out the project, autonomous and assessment tasks. Students are expected to actively participate in class throughout the semester.

Classroom materials will be available through Moodle. These include a repository of presentations used in lectures, the course syllabus, as well as other course-specific learning materials, such as practical work statements.

However, more information about the course will be provided on the first day of class.

In general, the methodology to follow will be, on the one hand, the global exposition by the teaching staff of the general contents of the subject. In the practical sessions (practical cases and preparation of the research report), carried out in a small group, the application of the theoretical contents to real cases will be worked on, and the group elaboration of a research work

Therefore, expository methods will be combined with other more practical ones, as well as activities in large groups, small groups and individuals.

4.2. Learning tasks

The course includes the following learning tasks:

- Master classes, in which the theoretical contents specified in the program are exposed. The lessons are based on a participatory method to work on these contents

- Carrying out practical cases in the classroom that complement the theoretical content and serve to apply this knowledge to real situations related to today's society and its presence in the media. These practical cases are part of the contents of each topic of the subject

- Practical activities to be carried out by the students, such as carrying out a social investigation in a group, and the communication of the results through the completion of a final report on the investigation.

- Continuous monitoring of student learning and feedback in the classroom

- Evaluation activities (qualification of the final report of the investigation, qualification of a theory exam).

- Individual and group tutorials to monitor work, resolve doubts, etc.

4.3. Syllabus

The course will address the following topics:

INTRODUCTORY BLOCK: What can sociology contribute to the journalistic profession

1. Preliminary questions

2. What is Sociology?

3. Sociology as a Science: Social Research

4. What can sociology contribute to the journalistic profession?

 BLOCK 1: KNOWING OUR SOCIETY

1. The sociological explanation of reality

2. From the Industrial Society to the Information Society

3. A new organizational model: The network model

4. A new society after the COVID-19 crisis?

5. Globalization. Global awareness and global commitment

6. The Risk Society

BLOCK 2: INEQUALITY AND CRISIS

1. Logic of inequality from Sociology

2. Capitalism and North-South relations

3. Epidemiocracy: Pandemic and inequality

4. Ethnic inequality

5. Gender inequality

BLOCK 3: THE VISIBLE AND THE INVISIBLE: THE INSTITUTIONAL AND THE NOT

INSTITUTIONAL.

1. Power and Authority

2. Politics and political parties

3. New and old social movements

4. Citizen participation

BLOCK 4: ELECTORAL SOCIOLOGY

1. The Spanish electoral system

2. Communication in electoral campaigns.

3. Sociology of voters: Basic concepts in the analysis of electoral behavior

BLOCK 5: GREAT CHALLENGES OF OUR SOCIETIES.

1. Challenges for the 21st century

2. The post-COVID-19 society

3. Environment and Sustainability

4. Intercultural ethics

5. Gender equality. Overcoming violence

6. New labor paradigms

4.4. Course planning and calendar

Further information concerning the timetable, classroom, office hours, assessment dates and other details regarding this course, will be provided on the first day of class or please refer to the “Facultad de Filosofía y Letras” website.

They will be communicated to students on the Moodle platform and in the presentation session of the subject at the beginning of the course.

4.5. Bibliography and recommended resources

Bibliography can be consulted at: http://psfunizar10.unizar.es/br13/egAsignaturas.php?id=2374