Structure of the Curriculum

Special Topics in Political Sociology (PS)

Special Topics in Political Sociology (PS)
COURSE OUTLINE
GENERAL
SCHOOLSchool of Economics and Political Science
DEPARTMENTSociology
Level of StudyUndergraduate
COURSE CODE431091
COURSE TITLESpecial Topics in Political Sociology (PS)
Independent Teaching Activities Weekly Teaching Hours CREDIT UNITS
Lectures - assignments 3 6
TOTAL 3 6
Course TypeGeneral Knowledge
Prerequisite CoursesNo
Teaching and Examination LanguageGreek
THE COURSE IS OFFERED TO ERASMUS STUDENTSNo
Course Webpage (URL)
(2) LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

  • they specialize in topics related to contemporary political reality and analysis,
  • they understand the different forms of power and resistance to them,
  • analyze contemporary manifestations of radicalization and populism,
  • the social basis of political representations and the political dimension of social relations,
  • they distinguish the special characteristics of political representations in environments under conditions of polycrisis, permanent mobility, and platformization.

General Capabilities

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

  • they have a critical perception of the historicity of the era and society,
  • understand the different aspects of power in the modern context of ongoing and interrelated crises,
  • analyze complex social issues with a critical approach,
  • apply sociological analyses to the contemporary political and social environment,
  • they exercise criticism and self-criticism,
  • present their arguments publicly in a structured and coherent manner.
(3) COURSE CONTENT

The subject of the course is specialization in the field of Political Sociology through the investigation of critical historical and contemporary themes in the political, economic, and social spheres. Specifically, the course focuses on and critically analyzes:

  • the development of late modernity/post-modernity,
  • the processes of liquefaction, individualization and flexibility,
  • the framework of post-democracy and changes in global governance with the increased role of international organizations, the crisis of legitimation in Western democracies, as well as the rise of populism and the alt-right,
  • the context of the state of emergency and the polycrisis, as well as the ways it is connected to critical phenomena such as the green transition, over-tourism, migrations, and the social organization of care,
  • the shifts of capitalism through the study of extractivist capitalism, platform capitalism, and colonialism.
(4) TEACHING & LEARNING METHODS – EVALUATION
DELIVERY METHODFace to face
Information and Communication Technologies

PowerPoint presentations, organization of small groups for discussion on specific topics and assignment presentations, screening of related film material, support of the learning process through the e-class electronic platform.

Activity Semester Workload
Lectures 39
Work 39
Standalone Study 69
Participation in exams 3
Course Summary 150
Student Evaluation
Process Description Evaluation

The evaluation process is conducted in the Greek language with a final examination on the entire curriculum and includes a written exam with essay questions.
The answer to the questions is considered complete when it is factually accurate, satisfactorily justified, and clearly formulated.
An important role in the evaluation of students is also played by active participation in the class, as well as in assignment presentations.
There is the option of writing optional assignments on a topic related to the course's themes, which students choose after consulting with the instructor. The assignments are accompanied by a presentation during classes.

(5) RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Suggested Bibliography

  • Agamben, G. (2013). State of Exception. When the «Emergency» Becomes the Rule. Patakis
  • Bauman, Z. (2009). Liquid Times: Living in an Age of Uncertainty. Metaixmio
  • Crouch, C. (2006). Post-democracy. Ekkremes
  • Dobratz, A.B., Waldner, K.L., and Buzzell, T. (2019). Power, Politics, and Society: An Introduction to Political Sociology. Athens: Kleidarithmos
  • Graeber, D. (2013). Debt: The First 5,000 Years. Greek editions
  • Graeber, D. (2023). The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity. Greek editions
  • Graeber, D. (2023). Bullshit Jobs: A Theory. Stasei Ekpiptontes
  • Lagroye, J., Bastian, F., and Sawicki, F. (2008). Political Sociology. Typothito

Related Scientific Journals

  • The Review of Social Research
  • Contemporary Issues
  • Current Sociology
  • International Political Sociology

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Secretariat telephone numbers

secr@soc.uoa.gr

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