Course: Contemporary Czech society

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Course title Contemporary Czech society
Course code KPOL/N202
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Novotný Lukáš, doc. Dr. phil. M.A.
Course content
1. Introduction to the study of society and social problems. 2. Theoretical background - stratification theory, theory of modernity. 3. Theoretical background - postmodern societies, network society. 4. Characteristics of contemporary Czech society, demographic and national changes, social problems. 5. Bureaucracy and contemporary Czech society. 6. Significance and changes of values in contemporary Czech society. 7. Changes and problems of the current social structure in the Czech Republic. 8. Problems of the current welfare state, unemployment. 9. Labour market, discrimination, gender. 10. Education and contemporary Czech society. 11. Problems of contemporary Czech democracy, defective democracy. 12. The role and changes of contemporary Czech civil society. 13. Specifics of selected social and economic problems in structurally affected regions.

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified, unspecified, unspecified, unspecified, unspecified
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to acquaint students with current trends in the social development of Czech society and to develop students' ability to orient themselves in current social problems, to see them in the broader context of public policies and Europe, including various links and impacts. Students will learn about the current development of Czech society with emphasis on general trends in the development of contemporary societies, social inequality and the functioning of society. The course aims to offer orientation in sensitive current social and economic problems, which often fundamentally divide society. Methodologically, the course will be oriented very multidisciplinary with an emphasis on political science and sociology theory. Students will also acquire a critical overview with reference to the plurality of approaches to individual controversial topics. Part of the fulfillment of study obligations of the course will be participation in field research in the region.
The student is able to use professional terminology. The student distinguishes individual theoretical approaches used in contemporary study of political and sociological theory and practice. The student is familiar with the key topics of political and sociological theory and practice.
Prerequisites
None

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
For successful completion of the course is required, respectively. credit consists of three points: 1) active participation in teaching; 2) solving seminar tasks; 3) participation in field research.
Recommended literature
  • BECK, U. Riziková společnost. Na cestě k jiné moderně. Praha, 2004. ISBN 80-86429-32-6.
  • DRULÁK, P. Jak zkoumat politiku: Kvalitativní metodologie v politologii a mezinárodních vztazích. Praha, 2008. ISBN 978-80-7367-385-7.
  • GIDDENS, A. Unikající svět. Jak globalizace mění náš život. Praha, 2000. ISBN 80-85850-91-5.
  • GRUSKY, D.B. Social Stratification: Class, Race and Gender in Sociological Perspective. New York. ISBN 978-04-294-9464-2.
  • HARRINGTON, A. Moderní sociální teorie. Praha, 2006. ISBN 80-7367-093-3.
  • KELLER, J. Nová sociální rizika a proč se jim nevyhneme. Praha, 2011. ISBN 978-80-7419-059-9.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester