Courses

Principles of Sociology

General

Course Contents

  1. Culture (substantial, cultural diversity, heterogeneity, integration).
  2. Social structure (social positions, roles, groups, institutions, societies).
  3. Socialization (social-psychological theories of the self, conflict of nature- upbringing, socialization agencies).
  4. Official organizations.
  5. Deviance, theories of deviation and mechanisms of social control.
  6. Social stratification, main theories of stratification.
  7. Stratification in relation to inequality of social class, race, ethnicity, age, etc.
  8. Social institutions, the functions and dysfunctions of social institutions.
  9. Social institutions, religion, family, economy, political system, health system. educational system.
  10. Social change and conflict.
  11. Collective behavior and social movements.
  12. Global social issues such as environment, population, development, etc.
  13. Course revision.

Educational Goals

The purpose of the course is to cultivate in students an awareness of the social forces that surround them, the basic concepts, theories and methods of sociology The course includes a general introduction to the science of sociology.

Upon successful completion of the course, the students are  expected to be able to:

  • Identify and reflect on the essential elements of civil society.
  • Explain human behavior in groups and organizations.
  • Assess the role of inequalities in people’s life opportunities and actions.
  • Describe the most fundamental theories and methods of sociology.
  • Use sociological knowledge in professional and everyday life.
  • Judge current sociological issues.

General Skills

  • Working independently.
  • Team work.
  • Decision making.
  • Production of free, creative and inductive thinking.

Teaching Methods

  • In the classroom, face to face.

Use of ICT means

  • Basic software (windows, word, power point, the web, etc.).
  • Support of learning process through the electronic platform / e-class.

Teaching Organization

ActivitySemester workload
Lectures26
Practice Works13
Assignement (Essay writing)20
Independent Study66
Total125

Students Evaluation

Written final exams (60%) that may include:

  • Judgemental questions.
  • Short answer questions.
  • Application exercises.
  • Comparative theoratical questions.

In each question, corresponding evaluation points are specified.
Optional assignment (Essay writing and presentation) corresponds to 40% of the final grade.

Recommended Bibliography

  1. Hughes, M & Kroehler, C (2007), Κοινωνιολογία: Οι βασικές έννοιες. Εκδόσεις Κριτική.
  2. Κατριβέσης Ν. (2004): ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΘΕΩΡΙΑ, Αθήνα: Gutenberg.