| 1 | Application of Theories | SOBA202B |
| Scientists develop explanations and/or predictions of specific phenomena based on general theories about the behavior of individuals and social systems. These general theories need to be applied to the specific research problem. In this course, students learn how this is done in a scientifically correct way. Based on many examples from the social-scientific literature, we discuss how theories should be formulated and how they are applied in a logically correct way to generate testable predictions and analyze policies. The application of theories will be taught in lectures and practices in tutorials, related to weekly assignments (a lecture and a practical each week). |
| Faculteit | Gedrags- en MaatschappijWetenschappen | | Voertaal | Engels | | Coordinator | V.C. Frey, PhD. | | Docent(en) | V.C. Frey, PhD. | | Onderwijsvorm | werkcollege, hoorcollege | | Toetsvorm | schriftelijk tentamen (essay) DIGITAL, schriftelijk tentamen (meerkeuze) DIGITAAL | | ECTS | 5 |
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| 2 | Organisation and Society | SOBA204A |
Students learn how to incorporate corporate actors (organizations) into explanations of social phenomena as sites and drivers of social change during the course. The course will provide an analytical toolkit of organizational theories and mechanisms which enables students to link organizational processes to societal outcomes.
After completion of the course, students can
(1) describe how organizations, as sites and as drivers of social change, influence societal outcomes -focusing on inequality, persistence, change, and embeddedness- in modern societies (Lectures 1-5);
(2) outline critical mechanisms and their related organizational theories which connect corporate actors to societal outcomes (Lectures 1-5);
(3) explain societal phenomena incorporating the perspective of organizations by applying the critical mechanisms and their related theories (Work sessions 1-5); |
| Faculteit | Gedrags- en MaatschappijWetenschappen | | Voertaal | Engels | | Coordinator | Z. Lippényi, PhD. | | Docent(en) | Z. Lippényi, PhD. | | Onderwijsvorm | hoorcollege, responsiecollege, werkcollege, zelfstudie | | Toetsvorm | schriftelijk tentamen (essay) DIGITAL | | ECTS | 5 |
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| 3 | Social and institutional change | SOBA904 |
This course focuses on the emergence and development of formal and informal institutions
and their effects on behavior as well as on individual integration processes into society. We
will explore how various forms of institutions influence each other and the extent to which
institutions have desired or undesired effects. Moreover, we will focus on the conditions
under which institutions lead to coordination and cooperation. Several examples will be given
from the field of migration and integration. Special attention will also be paid to the role of
the state in a market economy, and the effect of cultural norms on economic development.
To this end, we will discuss classical theories (Weber, Durkheim, Smith) that have been used
to explain social institutions. Examples will be based on current empirical research studying
inequality and the interplay between migration, integration, and welfare states. We will debate
among others how migration leads to institutional change and how formal and informal
institutions shape integration chances of migrants. |
| Faculteit | Gedrags- en MaatschappijWetenschappen | | Voertaal | Engels | | Coordinator | Dr. B. Bilecen | | Docent(en) | Dr. B. Bilecen | | Onderwijsvorm | hoorcollege | | Toetsvorm | schriftelijk tentamen (essay) DIGITAL | | ECTS | 5 |
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| 4 | Social networks | SOBA221 |
Social networks are formal representations of the way how social actors relate to each other, and depend on each other. As examples, think of informal talk and gossip among the employees of a firm, and the way how gossip can undermine the standing of a colleague. Or think of knowledge flow between the firms that work in the same industry, and the dependence of business success of the firm on its knowledge base. Or think of friendship among the adolescents that go to the same school, and issues of social exclusion or minority integration.
In terms of sociological theory and modelling, social networks offer a good framework for understanding how a system of interdependent social actors functions, i.e., how actors create networks and how networks affect actors' individual outcomes. In the course, students make acquaintance with the main network theories and theorists, from George Homans' individualist foundations ('The Human Group', 1950) via Harrison White's structuralism ('Identity and Control', 1992) to current research on Social Mechanisms. In a variety of research domains and problem areas, they learn to apply network thinking and network concepts, including social cohesion and integration, social capital, social position and hierarchies, and social diffusion processes.
In applications, students encounter network data from a diversity of domains (such as friendship at school, communication within an organisation, or cooperation between organisations). In group assignments, they collect network data of different types on their own. In the accompanying computer labs, they learn how to enter, process, and visualise network data. |
| Faculteit | Gedrags- en MaatschappijWetenschappen | | Voertaal | Engels | | Coordinator | Dr. C.E.G. Steglich | | Docent(en) | Dr. C.E.G. Steglich | | Onderwijsvorm | computerpracticum, hoorcollege, werkcollege | | Toetsvorm | opdrachten, schriftelijk tentamen (essay) DIGITAL | | ECTS | 5 |
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