Course: The Methodology of Sociology1

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Course title The Methodology of Sociology1
Course code KSA/MESO1
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Kubátová Helena, doc. PhDr. Ph.D.
Course content
The basic question of the methodology of science: does the reliable knowledge exist? Rationalism vs. Empiricism. The crisis of reason and a possibility of objectivity of our knowledge. Empirical novopozitivism. Inductive strategy of creation of science. Building up empirical science from the bottom. Logical pozitivism. Analysis of the language of science. Logical reconstructionist conception of philosophy of science. Deductive ? nomological strategy. Building up empirical science from above. Pragmatism and analytical philosophy. The theory of scientific paradigms of T. Kuhn. Critical rationalism of K. Popper and theoretical anarchism of P. Feyerabend. Phenomenological starting point of social science.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
Learning outcomes
Exposition of a theory and a method in sociology is aimed at a connection between a theory and the data and the possibility of objectivity in scientific knowledge. Philosophy and methodology of science are applied on a methodology of sociology. In positivism the issue of building up our knowledge from below and from above is solved. The next section of the exposition shows different methodological reactions on positivism and is aimed at finding the different meanings of the concept of constructivism in sociology.
Students know philosophical starting points of the conception of relation between theory a dates. They have in their disposal information about different solution of the problem of reliable knowledge. They are able to pass judgement on the problems connected with effort to obtain reliable knowledge.
Prerequisites
The prerequisite of the course is the knowledge of sociological theories and methods of sociological research.

Assessment methods and criteria
Dialog

Students have to pass the colloquium, in which they have to show knowledge of philosophical conceptions of relationship between theory and dates, different solutions of the problem of reliable knowledge in philosophy. They have to pass judgement on the problems connected with effort to obtain reliable knowledge.
Recommended literature
  • Descartes, R., & Szathmáryová-Vlčková, V. (1992). Rozprava o metodě. Praha: Svoboda.
  • Fajkus, B. (2005). Filosofie a metodologie vědy: vývoj, současnost a perspektivy. Praha: Academia.
  • James, W., & Bělohrad, R. (2003). Pragmatismus: nové jméno pro staré způsoby myšlení. Brno: Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury.
  • Kubátová, H. (2006). Metodologie sociologie. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého.
  • Kuhn, T. S., & Jeníček, T. (1997). Struktura vědeckých revolucí. Praha: OIKOYMENH.
  • WINCH, P. (2004). Idea sociální vědy a její vztah k filosofii.. Brno: Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Sociology (2015) Category: Social sciences 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: -