Sociology and Society

This course is an introduction to society from a sociological perspective. The course offers different vantage points at society, ranging from its everyday occurrences to its large-scale characteristics, from its face-to-face interactions to its organizational and institutional structures. In the course, we will discuss core sociological topics, such as social inequality and differentiation, inclusion and exclusion, engagement and social problems, education and socialization, as well as stability and change in working life, community, and the welfare state. Concrete topics in the course can include changes in organizations and institutions, technological developments, immigration and diversity, differences between urban and rural communities, welfare state and social support, gender inequality and social exclusion, emotions and love, family and well-being, crises and conflicts, as well as questions connected to grand societal challenges such climate change, environmental problems, and social unrest.

In the course, we will look at the specific characteristics of Norwegian society and put it into the context of Nordic, European, and world societies, as well as other approaches to society. The course presents the students with a wide range of recent sociological research, and the lectures and seminars will be based on current debates and events. The learning activities in the course include interactive lectures and seminars, readings, mandatory submissions, and learning how to write the term paper as an academic text.

Knowledge - the student shall:

• be familiar with central concepts of society in Norway, Europe, and the world.
• have knowledge about crucial perspectives on society and its different areas and facets.
• be familiar with historical and contemporary developments of social life and the welfare state.
• have insight into the key principles and functions of the organization of society, and how these principles and functions interrelate.
• have insight into how internationalization, globalization, and grand societal challenges affect the organization of society in Norway.

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

• write an academic text with correct references.
• analyze and summarize central theoretical and empirical sociological contributions that can be attached to society in Norway.
• use sociological perspectives to analyze societal trends or current social phenomena.

Lectures 4 hours a week, written assignment and tutorials 2 hours per week. The students must hand in a term paper. The compulsory activities can only be completed in the fall semester.