Sociology

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/R_SocioL

Course Objective

(a) Subject-specific learning outcomes Upon completion of the course the student is able to:
• Define core concepts in sociology, particularly related to immigration
• Distinguish between the different paradigms sociologists work with
• Apply sociological multi-level frameworks to discuss immigration problems
• Take a position in a current immigration debate within a particular country by critically applying relevant sociological concepts and paradigms (b) Academic learning outcomes Upon completion of the course the student is be able to:
• Develop an informed and well-structured written argument about immigration debates by referring to relevant sociological literature
• Collaborate successfully with peers in discussing and thinking about solutions for immigration problems taking different sociological perspectives into account
• Explain the difference between external and internal perspectives on the law.
• Evaluate how sociological theories can be applied to legal problems regarding immigration (c) Social and communication learning outcomes Upon completion of the course the student is be able to:
• Work with contemporary forms of communication (e.g. podcasts) to disseminate the obtained knowledge to a broader public (d) Study skills and professional orientation Upon completion of the course the student is be able to:
• Reflect on the individual learning process during the course
• Relate sociological knowledge to legal problems when working as a professional in the future.

Course Content

“No man is an island”: in sociology, social phenomena, like inequality, are studied by understanding the social context in which these phenomena occur, such as dominant social norms and cultures. In this course, you will get acquainted with core concepts of sociology, such as inequality, social norms, social relations and culture to develop a sociological view on the central topic of the course: immigration. Students will be working in small groups on creatively solving problems related to a particular migrant group in a particular host country. As a result, they will learn to develop informed arguments based on sociological concepts and research. At the end of the course students have developed various theoretical, analytical, evaluative, collaborative and (written/oral) presentation skills that help them in their future career as a legal professional with a good sense for societal sensitivities.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and Seminars (mandatory, assignments and presentations)

Method of Assessment

An individual paper and group assignments

Literature

F. van Tubergen, Introduction to sociology, Routledge 2020 (a lateredition when available). Additional literature will be announced onCanvas.