Course Title：欧洲社会学研究原则

This course introduces students to the field of sociology. In the process of doing so you shall be surveying social theories as well as empirical studies, and you will be acquiring the sociological imagination, i.e. the ability to think “away” from your own personal circumstances so that you may connect your experience with those of others, and larger social structures too. This will help you see that the world we so often take for granted is actually socially constructed. The idea is to become aware of the social contexts and circumstances that both constrain us, but also empower us to act. The course covers a set of diverse and often controversial social issues and concerns, from interactions between individuals to social inequalities, organizations, or globalization. Further to this it presents and discusses the various themes in relation to a step-by-step outlining, at an introductory level, of sociological research methods of inquiry. The course’s main objectives are twofold. One, to introduce students to the main theories and currents of European sociology and engage them in exploring essential aspects of sociology: in particular to acquaint them with its subject matter and variable perspectives; present its basic tenets and areas of interest, and make them aware in the ways that may be used to meaningfully construe contemporary social processes. Two, probe into the methods sociological research unfolds: (i) charting the kind of questions sociologists ask, (ii) outlining the steps of the research process and research design, (iii) identify appropriate research methods (qualitative, quantitative, mixed), (iv) delineate qualitative research methods (ethnographic, content analysis, focus groups, other), and (v) explore the role of theory both for the collection and interpretation of empirical data. The aim is to do so by means of deciphering well-known examples of sociological research.