Social Change
Summary
This course provides in-depth knowledge about sociological theories and concepts relating to social change, capitalism, globalization and social movements in modern societies.
About
The course emphasizes the necessity of historical perspectives when analyzing processes of social change in modern society. An important focus of the course is the interaction between social change “from above” (meaning macro-processes) and “from below” (meaning processes of change driven by collective agency). Examples of macro-processes of historical change that are discussed during the course are colonialism, imperialism, neoliberalization, while examples of social change through collective agency involve various social movements such as anti-colonialism, and nationalism. In contrast to the presentation of such issues at the undergraduate level, the course cultivates a developed ability to problematize and apply the key theoretical perspectives structure/agency and micro/meso/macro.
The course is divided into two modules:
Module 1: Social change and globalization, 7.5 higher education credits
This course module deals with general theories of social change in modern society with a particular emphasis on theories and analyzes of capitalism and globalization as processes of change at both agency and structural as well as micro, meso and micro levels.
Module 2: Independent Project, 7.5 higher education credits
This course module deals with the role of social movements in social change. Following a theoretical and methodological introduction, the students undertake project work where they empirically investigate and analyze a social movement in relation to its globalized context. The results are presented both in writing and orally. The project work implies an opportunity for the students to elaborate upon and apply the theoretical perspectives presented in the course.
A similar course to this one is: Local and global social movements (SC1215)
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
Bachelor's degree in social sciences or equivalent. In addition, language skills equivalent to English 6/English B/English Level 2 or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS are required.
Selection
Selection is based upon the number of credits from previous university studies, maximum 165 credits.
After graduation
The course can lead to increased knowledge and understanding in terms of:
- Describing and analyzing general theories of social change.
- Describing and analyzing theories of social movements, protests and collective action.
Increased skills and abilities in terms of:
- Critically and creatively comparing and applying concepts and theories developed for the analysis of social change processes, in particular with respect to the relationship between structure and agency.
- Critically and creatively comparing and applying concepts and theories developed for the analysis of social movements and their role in relation to processes of social change.
Facilities
Teaching takes place in the premises of the Faculty of Social Sciences in the Haga district in central Gothenburg. Lectures and seminars within "Campus Haga" are held in the buildings Dragonen and Sappören (Sprängkullsgatan) as well as Husaren (Husargatan).
