Aims

1. To initiate students in the specific features of the sociological point of view and the diversity of sociological approaches.
2. Once students have acquired an elementary sociological vocabulary, to equip them with the conceptual tools and techniques that enable them to approach various facets of public law from a sociological angle

Main themes

Elements of sociology
1. Specific features of the sociological approach
2. Main sociological theoretical trends
3. Basic concepts and sociological theories: representations (culture, values, norms, ideologies, etc.) and groups (small groups, strates, social classes, etc.)

Introduction to political sociology
1. Concept of power and legitimacy
2. Concept of political system
3. Political regimes
4. The State
5. Political parties and interest groups
6. Public opinion and electoral sociology
7. Transformation of political values and the post-industrial society
8. Political change and revolutions More time is spent on the second part.

Content and teaching methods

A. Elements of sociology.
1. Introduction: the sociological conscience

2. The sociological explanation
2.1. Two traditional works, two sociological logics: Durkheim and Wéber
2.2. A unified approach to the sociological explanation

3. The sociological method
3.1. Functional and structural analysis
3.2. Analysis of attitudes and opinions

4. The sociological conceptualisation
4.1. Culture and socialisation
4.2. Values, norms, conformism and anomie
4.3. Myths and ideologies
4.4. Roles, social positions and status
4.5. Hierarchical groups and structures
4.6. Relationships, family and marriage
4.7. Stratification and social mobility
4.8. Types of society (traditional / industrial / post-industrial).

B. Introduction to political sociology.
1. Specific features of the discipline
2. Models of articulation between policy and society
3. "Homo Politicus", object/subject of power
4. State and civil society
4.1. Political development, State and democracy
4.2. The civil society (1): parties and interest groups
4.3. The civil society (2): citizens

The course is taught in lecture-form. Whenever possible, topics of discussion are proposed to the students. A detailed syllabus is available on request. Assessment will take the form of a written exam in two parts: a questionnaire on the content of the lectures and an essay on a subject of political sociology.

Other credits in programs