SOC4091 Readings in SociologyBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs SOCIOLOGYGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
SOCIOLOGY
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
SOC4091 Readings in Sociology Spring 3 0 3 5
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Departmental Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Dr. Öğr. Üyesi AYŞEGÜL AKDEMİR
Recommended Optional Program Components: "."
Course Objectives: This course will provide students will a strong historical foundation that will help them understand current debates taking place within Europe today (especially regarding the place of Religion in society, the meaning of Secularism, Modernity, and Individualism), as well as their own position in Turkey in relation to Europe and these debates.
Students are also expected to further develop their critical reading skills through the close analysis of both primary historical sources and secondary texts.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Students that succeed in this course will be able to:

1) Identify the key events and actors of European History from the Roman Empire until the French Revolution
2) Compare and constrast historical periods and places
3) Analyze conflicting primary sources
4) Develop better academic reading skills
5)Develop better academic writing skills
6) Assess the special place of Turkey in Europe and the world, from a historical point of view

Course Content

This course offers a historical overview of European thought, politics and culture from the early Middle Ages until the French Revolution (not included). We will begin with the emergence of medieval civilization in the seventh century, analyze Church power and religious conflicts, the Renaissance, as well as European encounters with faraway lands and people during early colonization efforts. We will explore the advent of the scientific revolution and the enlightenment, and analyze the critiques of political absolutism that led to the birth of modern democratic thought. Debates on the nature of the individual, society, religious beliefs, and scientific progress will be examined. This first part of the course will end with an extensive discussion of the social, cultural, economic and political state of European society just before the advent of the French Revolution. Students will understand the roots of debates on religion and secularism in Europe, as well as the emergence of Modern thought and Scientific enquiry.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction to the course and assignments
2) Opening discussion of Early Christianity chapter 6 The Roman Empire
3) Role of Germanic People, Development of the Christian Church, Byzantine Empire, Rise of Islam. Chapter 7 The Passing of the Roman World and the Emergence of Medieval Civilization
4) Carolingians, Lords and Vassals, Byzantine civilization, Slavic people. Chapter 8 European Civilization in the Early Middle Ages 750-1000
5) Land and People in the Middle Ages (Peasantry and the rise of Trade cities). Intellectual and Artistic world (Universities, Architecture, Literature) ch.9 The Recovery and Growth of European Society in the High Middle Ages
6) Rise of European Kingdoms, Recovery and Reform of Catholic Church, Crusades. ch.10 The Rise of Kingdoms and the Growth of Church Power.
7) Black Death and Social Crisis, Hundred Year's War, Culture and Society in an age of adversity. ch.11 The Late Middle Ages: Crisis and Disintegration in the Fourteenth Century.
8) The Italian Renaissance, the New Statecraft, Renaissance in the rest of Europe. ch.12 Recovery and Rebirth: The Renaissance
9) MIDTERM
10) The Reformation in Germany and Spread to the rest of Europe. ch.13 Reformation and Religious Warfare in the Sixteenth Century Submission of first homework assignment
11) The Portuguese and Spanish Empires, development of World Trade, European Expansion. ch.14 Europe and the World: New Encounters 1500-1800.
12) Social crises, Absolutism in Western and Eastern Europe, Flourishing European Culture. ch.15 State Building and the Search for Order in the Seventeen Century
13) Revolution in Astronomy, Medicine. Spread of Rationalism and Scientific Knowledge. ch.16 The Scientific Revolution and the Emergence of Modern Science
14) The Enlightenment, Philosophers and their Ideas, Impact on Culture, Religion, Criminology, etc. Economic expansion and social changes. Absolutism revisited. The new social order of the 18th century. ch.17 Eighteenth Century: The Age of Enlightenment ch.18 Eighteenth Century 2: European States, International Wars and Social Change

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: Jackson J. Spielvogel: Western Civilization 7e: A Brief History, International Edition, 68pp (Wadworth), 2011
References: Weekly readings will be provided

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 1 % 20
Midterms 2 % 40
Final 1 % 40
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 40
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 14 3 42
Study Hours Out of Class 14 5 70
Midterms 2 4 8
Final 1 2 2
Total Workload 122

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) To learn and compare major sociology perspectives, both classical and contemporary, and apply all of them to analysis of social conditions. 3
2) To be able to identify the basic methodological approaches in building sociological and anthropological knowledge at local and global levels 3
3) To be able to use theoretical and applied knowledge acquired in the fields of statistics in social sciences. 2
4) To have a basic knowledge of other disciplines (including psychology, history, political science, communication studies and literature) that can contribute to sociology and to be able to make use of this knowledge in analyzing sociological processes 5
5) To have a knowledge and practice of scientific and ethical principles in collecting, interpreting and publishing sociological data also develop ability how to share this data with experts and lay people, using effective communication skills 3
6) To develop competence in analyzing and publishing sociological knowledge by using computer software for quantitative and qualitative analysis; and develop an attitute for learning new techniques in these fields. 1
7) To identify and to have a knowledge of the theories related to urban and rural sociology and demography, and political sociology, sociology of gender, sociology of body, visual sociology, sociology of work, sociology of religion, sociology of knowledge and sociology of crime. 2
8) To have knowledge of how sociology is positioned as a scientific discipline from a philosophical and historical perspective 5
9) To have the awareness of social issues in Turkish society, to develop critical perspective in analysing these issues and to have a knowledge of the works of Turkish sociologists and to be able to transfer this knowledge 1
10) To have the awareness of social issues and global societal processes and to apply sociological analysis to development and social responsibility projects 3
11) To have the ability to define a research question, design a research project and complete a written report for various fields of sociology, either as an individual or as a team member. 1
12) To be able to transfer the knowledge gained in the areas of sociology to the level of secondary school. 4