Society and Communication

elective courses

Classroom

The main objective of the seminar is to deepen the understanding and interpretation of the phenomena and processes taking place in contemporary Europe by focusing on the variability of cultural and social forms and changes in the way we communicate.

Seminar is devoted to changes in the European culture (social, political and economic cultures) through the prism of the dynamics of social development and changing forms of communication. To achieve this goal were selected three key spheres: the volatility of understanding culture, variations in the bases ensuring social cohesion, and the variability of forms of social communication. Analytical reading of selected literature deepens the understanding of these processes as well as helps to develope the „soft“ skills and competencies of the students. Students individually present their conclusions from reading, using analytical concepts to interpret the multiplicity of phenomena, work in groups, present jointly developed projects in the identified themes taken from studied works. During the seminar are also used audiovisual materials that demonstrate the possibilities of combining theory with practice.

Student workload:

Seminar - 30 h

preparation for classes - 30 h

together - 60 h

Around the definition of culture - suggested reading list and reading expansion:

Kroeber Alfred Louis, „Naukowe pojęcie kultury“ w tegoż: „Istota kultury”, PWN: Warszawa 1989, str. 276-321.

Nowicka Ewa, Świat człowieka – świat kultury (Wydanie nowe), PWN: Warszawa, 2006, str. 45-60.

Barker Chris, Studia kulturowe – teoria i praktyka, Wyd. Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego: Kraków, 2005

Community and society - different forms of socialization:

Tönnies Ferdinand, „Teoria Wspólnoty” w: Wspólnota i stowarzyszenie, PWN, Warszawa 1988, str. 27-46 i 66-77. Durkheim Emile, „Solidarność mechaniczna albo oparta na podobieństwie” oraz „Solidarność wynikająca z podziału pracy albo organiczna” w” O podziale pracy społecznej, PWN, Warszawa 1999, str. 92-147.

Changing forms of communication in Europe and the world:

Reinhardt Wolfgang, „Światy komunikacji” w tegoż: „ Życie po europejsku”, PWN: Warszawa, 2009, str. 448-482.

Burke James, „Drukarskie prasy, czyli o maszynach do porządkowania myśli” w: Godlewski Grzegorz, Sulima Roch (red.), Antropologia słowa”, Wydawnictwo UW: Warszawa, 2003, str. 487-498.

Modern culture: the nation:

Anderson Benedict, Wspólnoty wyobrażone. Rozważania o źródłach i rozprzestrzenianiu się nacjonalizmu, SIW ZNAK i Fund. im. Stefana Batorego: Kraków, 1997 [1991], Warszawa str. 9-57.

Rationalization in modern society:

- Ritzer George, MacDonaldyzacja społeczeństwa, Rozdz. 1 i 2, WWL MUZA: Warszawa, 1997, str. 16-73.

Postmodern culture and globalisation:

- Bauman Zygmunt, Globalizacja, Warszawa 2000, str. 5-91 [wstęp i

rozdz. 1-3].

Educational outcomes:

After completion of the course the students:

KNOWLEDGE:

- Have ordered knowledge of the content and variability of the concept of culture and its practical significance in social life,

- Have ordered knowledge of the basics of socialization: the formation and transformation of social forms,

- Know what are the basics of social cohesion and what destroys them,

- Know that communication is the basis of operation of societies, communities and individuals,

- Know that changes in the ways of communication entail changes in all other social institutions,

- Know that understanding the diversity of communication is essential for success in all activities in life,

- Know what characterizes the culture of pre-modern, modern and post-modern,

- Know the impact of European ideas and institutions on the rest of the world.

SKILLS:

- Can read, analyze and interpret the basic literature in the social sciences,

- Is able to apply scientific concepts in their analysis,

- Can apply the acquired knowledge to interpret current events in contemporary Europe,

- Is able to work in a group,

- Is able to orally present the results of individual and group exercises,

- Is able to identify the cultural mechanisms of manipulation, simplifications and stereotypes found in social and political life in the country, Europe and the world.

SOCIAL COMPETENCES:

- Is aware that common culture and forms of communication are the foundation of good interaction with others,

- Is aware of the need for continuous development of competencies and learning throughout life,

- Understands the diversity of cultural perspectives of others, can work in a multicultural environment.

The basis of assessment of the seminar is class attendance, participation and activity.

2 absences are allowed (for whatever reason). It is possible to pass a seminar at 3 to 6 absences by writing an essay on a topic discussed with me on the basis of special literature assignment. Not submitting of an essay or absence of more than 6-five classes results in insufficient evaluation.