The course is connected to the following study programs

  • Bachelor's Programme in Sociology

Teaching language

English

Recommended prerequisites

SV-133 Introduction to sociology, SV-135 Sociology of welfare and equality and SV -143 Social institutions.

Course contents

Historically, sociologists have been preoccupied with analyzing and theorizing about their own societies thus developing “distinctive national sociologies” (Burawoy 2009). Studying the more “exotic” societies was left to (Western) anthropologists who engaged in understanding the “savage nature” of “primitive societies”. That such descriptions of non-western cultures were echoing racial and cultural prejudice was first widely recognized in the process of de-colonialization. At the same time “global social challenges” moved into the center of attention: In the past 50 years environmental concerns, the challenges of a growing population and global demographic change, as well as economic and cultural globalization have gained prominence in both public and scholarly debate. And yet “sociology” has remained, by and large, a project of the “West”. Sociological research across the globe has been informed by theories and methods developed in the global north. Scholars from the global south tried for a long time to understand their societies through the lenses of western sociological thought. So, while “global issues” have drawn sociological attention for some time, the emergence of a truly global sociology is a recent phenomenon. The course therefore employs a more comprehensive approach by relying on two pillars: “global challenges” and “global sociological perspectives”.

Global Challenges

  • Globalization and Economic Development

  • Climate Change

  • Security, Peace & Conflict

  • Aging Societies and Welfare

  • Sustainable Development

Global Sociological Perspectives

  • Non-Western Theories and Models

  • Case Studies from the Global South

  • Comparative Perspectives

Learning outcomes

On the successful completion of the course, the students should

  • be acquainted with the implications of contemporary economic, social, environmental and cultural challenges

  • develop their understanding of contemporary sociological thought by including non-western perspectives

  • be familiar with sociological conceptualizations of globalization

Teaching methods

Lectures and group work will be accompanied by the input of invited guest lectures from the global south. This course is intended for both Norwegian and international students. Estimated workload is 270 hours.

Evaluation

Student evaluation is carried out as a midway evaluation and in accordance with the normal arrangement as described in the quality system, chapter 4.1. If necessary, a possible end of semester evaluation may be implemented. 

Assessment methods and criteria

Portfolio examination including both group work and individual work, graded A-F. Further information about the portfolio will be given in Canvas.

Last updated from FS (Common Student System) July 1, 2024 1:58:00 AM