Sociology of Knowledge
Course code
RAS7002.YK
old course code
RAS7002
Course title in Estonian
Teadmistesotsioloogia
Course title in English
Sociology of Knowledge
ECTS credits
4.0
Assessment form
Examination
lecturer of 2023/2024 Spring semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
lecturer of 2024/2025 Autumn semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
Course aims
The aim of this course is to give an overview of the basic principles of the sociology of knowledge as a specific perspective of sociological research, to explain its metatheoretical importance and to acquaint students with some of the most significant sociological theories about relationships between knowledge and social practice. The course is intended for BA students and also for MA students, who have not taken this course before. The amount of independent work is different for BA and MA students. The MA students should present and additional paper.
Brief description of the course
The historical roots of sociology of knowledge, classical issues and later tendencies. Karl Mannheim, Max Scheler, fenomenological sociology (Schütz, Berger & Luckmann), structuralists (Barthes, Levi-Strauss), Foucault, Bourdieu, feminist (Dorothy Smith) and postcolonialist perspectives are going to be analysed. Sociology of knowledge as an independent research field (Knorr Cetina, Bloor, etc.) and discourse of knowledge based society.
The course consists of lectures and independent work. In addition to the topics discussed in lectures, students are expected to work with the literature and give feedback based on independent readings.
The subject is meant both for bachelor as well as master students who have not participated in the course before. For BA and MA students, the load of homework will be different.
The course consists of lectures and independent work. In addition to the topics discussed in lectures, students are expected to work with the literature and give feedback based on independent readings.
The subject is meant both for bachelor as well as master students who have not participated in the course before. For BA and MA students, the load of homework will be different.
Learning outcomes in the course
Upon completing the course the student:
Knowledge about the basic principles of the sociology of knowledge and about the most significant sociological theories about relationships between knowledge and social practice. An understanding of the sociology of knowledge as a metatheoretical perspective and a deeper understanding of the methodological ground of social sciences.
Improved ability to work independently with specialised theoretical texts, including literature in foreign-languages.
Knowledge about the basic principles of the sociology of knowledge and about the most significant sociological theories about relationships between knowledge and social practice. An understanding of the sociology of knowledge as a metatheoretical perspective and a deeper understanding of the methodological ground of social sciences.
Improved ability to work independently with specialised theoretical texts, including literature in foreign-languages.
Teacher
Lektor Krista Hinno, PhD
Prerequisite course 1
Study programmes containing that course