Course description for 2024/25
Social Science Theory and Thinking
SAM5010
Course description for 2024/25
Social Science Theory and Thinking
SAM5010
Here you will explore how social theory will help you in addressing key social science questions and topics. The course provides insight into key theoretical traditions with a special emphasis on sociology of knowledge and history of ideas. Theory is closely interwoven with analytic practice; a tool to explore exciting societal challenges and contexts.
The course provides students with knowledge of key social science theory traditions with special emphasis on sociology of knowledge and epistemology. Theories are analytical perspectives decisive for which issues the researcher addresses and how the researcher approaches these issues; that is, basic perspectives on society, on the nature of knowledge and the analytical measures taken by the researcher. The course includes actor-oriented perspectives, structure-oriented perspectives and links between the two as well as epistemological similarities, differences and lines of conflict in addition to discussing attempts to reconcile different positions. Emphasis will be placed on the presentation of different theories, which direction they belong to, dividing lines and how they complement each other. The course will give a basis for understanding how key social science questions and topics can be explored with the help of theory.
Students must primarily be enrolled in Master in Social Analysis (full time).
The candidate...
- has advanced knowledge of social theory and specialized insight in sociology of knowledge
- can apply theoretical knowledge to social analysis
- can analyze theoretical academic texts and distinguish between different schools of theory
The candidate...
- can analyze and deal critically with social theory
- can structure and formulate social theory arguments
- can analyze existing theories and interpretations in the field and work independently on theoretical problems
The candidate...
- can apply his/her theoretical knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced social analysis
- masters theoretical language, concepts and social science terminology
- can communicate about social theory issues, analysis and conclusions
- can contribute to new thinking and social innovation processes
In addition to the semester fee and costs for purchasing course literature, the students are expected to have a laptop.
Theoretical subject. Mandatory subject for students enrolled in Master in Social Analysis (full time).
Teaching activities will consist of weekly lectures, seminars or group work. In connection with the work requirement, group-based guidance is provided before submission date.
The study program is evaluated annually by the students through course evaluations and study program evaluation. These evaluations are included as part of the university's quality assurance system.
Compound assessment:
- Required coursework: Students select 150 pages of relevant syllabus and write the reasons for their choice. Individual work requires a minimum of 600 and a maximum of 800 words, and group work between 1300-1500 words. Note that the number of words is exclusive of the bibliography. Assessed as approved/not approved.
- Take home exam: Individual take home exam. 3 days. Graded A-F.
Generating an answer using ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence and submitting it wholly or partially as one's own answer is considered cheating.
Overlap refers to a similarity between courses with the same content. Therefore, you will receive the following reduction in credits if you have taken the courses listed below:
SAM5011 - Social Science Theory and Thinking - 10 credits