Teacher(s)
Franssen Abraham (coordinator); Giraldo Arciniegas Silvia (compensates Marquis Nicolas); Marquis Nicolas;
Language
French
Content
This introduction to sociology aims at familiarizing students with the epistemological, theoretical, and methodological foundations of the discipline. The course is based on a fundamental idea: explaining the social through the social. This approach encourages students to move beyond individualistic or psychological interpretations in order to understand how behaviors, representations, and institutions are shaped by collective dynamics and specific social contexts. The course will show how sociology, as a rigorous scientific approach, breaks with preconceptions and common sense in order to produce insightful interpretations of social reality.
The course will begin with a presentation of the four major paradigms that structure sociological thought: integration, competition, domination, and conflict. This comparative exploration of different approaches to the same social phenomenon will provide a robust analytical framework for understanding the complexity of the issues that run through the discipline: How do societies maintain their cohesion? How can social inequalities and power relations be explained? What is the impact of structures on individuals, and how do individuals act in return?
The core of the course will then consist of exploring the sociological approach in greater depth through the study of twelve sociological principles, illustrated by research and iconic authors (Durkheim, Marx, Weber, Simmel, Hoggart, Bourdieu, Goffman, Becker, Foucault, Castel, Boltanski, Dubet, Bajoit). Each principle will constitute an essential “sociological gesture,” such as uncovering the objective logic of the social, revealing the conflictual nature of social relations, understanding the meaning of social actions, or grasping the reciprocal effects of social interactions. This approach will allow students to become familiar with the theoretical and methodological tools of sociology in a concrete way.
Ultimately, this course has been designed to equip students, and in particular future lawyers, with the critical tools necessary to take a fresh look at law, its origins, its applications, and its social functions. It is an invitation to develop a rigorous intellectual stance and a general sociological culture in order to better understand the complex social fabric that constitutes and surrounds us.
The course will begin with a presentation of the four major paradigms that structure sociological thought: integration, competition, domination, and conflict. This comparative exploration of different approaches to the same social phenomenon will provide a robust analytical framework for understanding the complexity of the issues that run through the discipline: How do societies maintain their cohesion? How can social inequalities and power relations be explained? What is the impact of structures on individuals, and how do individuals act in return?
The core of the course will then consist of exploring the sociological approach in greater depth through the study of twelve sociological principles, illustrated by research and iconic authors (Durkheim, Marx, Weber, Simmel, Hoggart, Bourdieu, Goffman, Becker, Foucault, Castel, Boltanski, Dubet, Bajoit). Each principle will constitute an essential “sociological gesture,” such as uncovering the objective logic of the social, revealing the conflictual nature of social relations, understanding the meaning of social actions, or grasping the reciprocal effects of social interactions. This approach will allow students to become familiar with the theoretical and methodological tools of sociology in a concrete way.
Ultimately, this course has been designed to equip students, and in particular future lawyers, with the critical tools necessary to take a fresh look at law, its origins, its applications, and its social functions. It is an invitation to develop a rigorous intellectual stance and a general sociological culture in order to better understand the complex social fabric that constitutes and surrounds us.
Teaching methods
Lectures (60 hours) – on site only
Classes will include theoretical presentations, case studies and practical exercises (similar to and sometimes identical to exam questions). Case studies, video reports presented in class, and practical exercises are part of the exam material.
Students will be provided with a syllabus outlining the course structure and theoretical content. This syllabus will be supplemented by students' notes (research results, case studies, illustrations, and exercises presented orally during the course).
Classes will include theoretical presentations, case studies and practical exercises (similar to and sometimes identical to exam questions). Case studies, video reports presented in class, and practical exercises are part of the exam material.
Students will be provided with a syllabus outlining the course structure and theoretical content. This syllabus will be supplemented by students' notes (research results, case studies, illustrations, and exercises presented orally during the course).
Evaluation methods
The assessment is based on a written exam. Passing the exam naturally requires a good knowledge of the subject matter. However, the questions are not limited to simple recall. They are designed to test the student's ability to apply what they have learned, for example through applications or comparisons between authors or theories.
The written exam lasts two hours and will include at least five questions. It will include both:
- Questions testing basic knowledge and understanding. The aim is to check that students have a sufficient grasp of the basic sociological concepts (concepts, principles of sociological analysis, authors' works), without which more in-depth reflection is meaningless. The questions may take various forms: definition and illustration of a concept, comparison of two notions, explanation and illustration of a key principle of sociological analysis,
- Questions involving the application of sociological reasoning and concepts to a social phenomenon (whether or not presented in class) based on a press article or interviews.
There is no change in the assessment methods between the first session and the following two.
The exam is conducted in French.
The written exam lasts two hours and will include at least five questions. It will include both:
- Questions testing basic knowledge and understanding. The aim is to check that students have a sufficient grasp of the basic sociological concepts (concepts, principles of sociological analysis, authors' works), without which more in-depth reflection is meaningless. The questions may take various forms: definition and illustration of a concept, comparison of two notions, explanation and illustration of a key principle of sociological analysis,
- Questions involving the application of sociological reasoning and concepts to a social phenomenon (whether or not presented in class) based on a press article or interviews.
There is no change in the assessment methods between the first session and the following two.
The exam is conducted in French.
Online resources
Students have access to the Moodle platform and the course called “BDROI1124” where all additional information, articles, and links will be posted.
Bibliography
Un syllabus « Sociologie générale » reprenant les notes de cours est disponible à la reprographie.
L'ouvrage de référence, fortement conseillé pour le cours est le livre de Luc Van Campenhoudt, Nicolas Marquis « Cours de sociologie », Dunod, Paris, 2014 (réédition en 2020). Il est disponible à la reprographie. Plusieurs des chapitres de cet ouvrage servent de base aux présentations effectuées en séance.
Les principaux slides servant de support aux cours seront mis au fur et à mesure à disposition des étudiant·es sur la plateforme Moodle « BDROI1124 ».
L'ouvrage de référence, fortement conseillé pour le cours est le livre de Luc Van Campenhoudt, Nicolas Marquis « Cours de sociologie », Dunod, Paris, 2014 (réédition en 2020). Il est disponible à la reprographie. Plusieurs des chapitres de cet ouvrage servent de base aux présentations effectuées en séance.
Les principaux slides servant de support aux cours seront mis au fur et à mesure à disposition des étudiant·es sur la plateforme Moodle « BDROI1124 ».
Teaching materials
- Van Campenhoudt, Luc, Marquis, Nicolas, Cours de sociologie, Dunod, Paris, 2014 (réédition en 2020)
Faculty or entity
