Introduction to Sociology - YBAJ009

• Title: Introduction to Sociology
• Guaranteed by: Programme Liberal Arts and Humanities (24-SHVAJ)
• Faculty: Faculty of Humanities
• Actual: from 2025
• Semester: summer
• E-Credits: 6
• Examination process: summer s.:
• Hours per week, examination: summer s.:2/0, Ex [HS]
• Extent per academic year: 26 [hours]
• Capacity: 40 / unknown (40)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: Ludmiła Maria Dobrovolná Władyniak, M.A., Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): Ludmiła Maria Dobrovolná Władyniak, M.A., Ph.D.
• Pre-requisite : YBAJ001
• Is pre-requisite for: YBAJ351, YBLS028, YBAJ197, YBAJ239, YBLS015
• In complex pre-requisite: YBLO013, YBLS010, YBLS024, YBLS025, YBLS032, YBLS033, YBLS034, YBLS037, YBLS038, YBLS043

Annotation

English

This course serves as an introductory overview of sociology as a scientific discipline. Its primary objective is to provide students with foundational and essential knowledge necessary for understanding sociological thinking, concepts, and analytical frameworks. The course introduces sociology as a systematic approach to the study of social relations, institutions, and structures, emphasizing its relevance for the interpretation of contemporary social phenomena. Through interactive lectures students are guided toward an understanding of how sociological knowledge is produced, how theoretical frameworks inform empirical inquiry, and how sociological insights can be applied to the analysis of social processes in both historical and present-day contexts.

Last update: Dobrovolná Władyniak Ludmiła Maria, M.A., Ph.D. (26.01.2026)

Czech

This course serves as an introductory overview of sociology as a scientific discipline. Its primary objective is to provide students with foundational and essential knowledge necessary for understanding sociological thinking, concepts, and analytical frameworks. The course introduces sociology as a systematic approach to the study of social relations, institutions, and structures, emphasizing its relevance for the interpretation of contemporary social phenomena.Students are guided toward an understanding of how sociological knowledge is produced, how theoretical frameworks inform empirical inquiry, and how sociological insights can be applied to the analysis of social processes in both historical and present-day contexts.

Last update: Dobrovolná Władyniak Ludmiła Maria, M.A., Ph.D. (26.01.2026)

Literature

Obligatory:

• . . In Fulcher, James Scott, John. Sociology . Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, s. -. ISBN 978-0-19-956375-3..

Last update: Dobrovolná Władyniak Ludmiła Maria, M.A., Ph.D. (25.02.2022)

Requirements to the exam

Final exam

The course is assessed through a written examination that evaluates students’ understanding of the material presented in the lectures and the compulsory literature (3 open questions, in-class writing).

The examination tests both conceptual knowledge and the ability to engage critically with key sociological theories and approaches introduced in the course.

AI positionality

Please, do not use AI for the academic purposes. For search purposes use the central university library website

Everything you need to know and learn from the course and for the exam are lectures and compulsory literature.

There is no need for AI-assistance to successfuly graduate from the course. 

Attendance

Since this is a proper academic lecture, participation in class is not obligatory.

Last update: Dobrovolná Władyniak Ludmiła Maria, M.A., Ph.D. (26.01.2026)

Syllabus

1. Begining of modernity, begining of sociology.

Documentary: The shock of Modernity (2017), ARTE

2. What is sociology?

Literature: Part One - Thinking Sociologically: Theories and Methods. 1:What is sociology? In: Fulcher, James Scott, John. Sociology . Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 4-17. ISBN 978-0-19-956375-3.

3. Sociological theory.

Literature: Part One -  Theories and theorizing: the beginnig of sociology. In: Fulcher, James Scott, John. Sociology . Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 23-43. ISBN 978-0-19-956375-3.

4. Microsociology: interactions, socialisation & social groups.

Literature: Part Two -  Socialization, Identity and Interaction. In: Fulcher, James Scott, John. Sociology . Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 111-145. ISBN 978-0-19-956375-3.

Film: Genie: Secret of the Wild Child (1997)

5. Sociology of institutions and organisations.

Literature: Part Four - Organization, Managment, and Control. In: Fulcher, James Scott, John. Sociology . Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 516-553. ISBN 978-0-19-956375-3.

Film: I, Daniel Blake (2016)

6. Macrosociology: classes, nations & societies

Literature: Part Five - Stratification, Class, and Status. In: Fulcher, James Scott, John. Sociology . Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 741-782. ISBN 978-0-19-956375-3.

7. Social inequalities.

Literature: Part Five - Inequality, poverty and wealth. In: Fulcher, James Scott, John. Sociology . Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 695-737. ISBN 978-0-19-956375-3.

Literature: Part Two -  Education. In: Fulcher, James Scott, John. Sociology . Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 309-344. ISBN 978-0-19-956375-3.

Film: The Class (2008)

8. Gender as analytical category in sociology.

Literature: Part Two -  Sex, Gender and Sexuality. In: Fulcher, James Scott, John. Sociology . Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 149-184. ISBN 978-0-19-956375-3.

Film: Billy Elliot (2000)

9. Sociology of families.

Literature: Part Two -  Sex, Gender and Sexuality. In: Fulcher, James Scott, John. Sociology . Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 149-184. ISBN 978-0-19-956375-3.

Film: Billy Elliot (2000)

11. Globalisation and migration.

Literature: Part Four -  Globalisation. In: Fulcher, James Scott, John. Sociology . Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 596-643. ISBN 978-0-19-956375-3.

12. Digital societies

 

Last update: Dobrovolná Władyniak Ludmiła Maria, M.A., Ph.D. (23.02.2026)

Learning resources

Moodle: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=13503

Last update: Dobrovolná Władyniak Ludmiła Maria, M.A., Ph.D. (26.01.2026)