Aims

At the end of the course, the students should be able to read the human phenomenon integrating the individual dimension to the social dimension. In other terms, they should be able to analyse the relations weaved between individuals, between individuals and groups, and between groups. Thanks to this analysis, they should be able to understand the social determinisms in which the individuals are immersed and their possibilities of action.

Main themes

Three aspects are tackled :
- the way we perceive the others or the study of the social thought (for example, what are the links existing between our attitudes and our behaviours, how do we explain our behaviour and the one of other people, what beliefs are we building about the reality,...?);
- the way we get in contact with the others or the study of the social interactions (for example, in which forms is elaborated the communication between individuals, how are built the relations of altruism, aggression, attraction,...?);
- the way social groups are structuring the relations between individuals or the study of groups (for example, why do we join a group, which tensions are crossing it, what is its structure, what is the place of deviant behaviours, how the change could be considered, how are jointed the intergroup relations, are some stereotypes or discriminations emerging from them,...?).

Content and teaching methods

Content:
Analysis of the relations between persons, between persons and groups and between groups, according to three aspects : the study of the social thought (how we perceive the others), the study of social interactions (how we enter in relation with other people), the study of the groups (how they structure the relation between persons).
Method:
The proposed methods will take advantage of the lectures, exercises and case analyses. This alternation is explained by the need to allow as well the learning of the concepts and theories as their reappropriation by the students on their own socio-professional field.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Evaluation on a theoretical and practical work of analysis. The students will thus have the opportunity to develop and apply the theories and methods learned in the course with the reference to some situations they have met themselves in their socio-professional life.
It follows educational methods fitted for adults including the link between theory and practice, group work, formative assessment and steps of individual and group appropriation of the contents. Illustrations from the various fields of education and from adults formation : continuous education, specialized education, school field, etc.

Programmes in which this activity is taught

Other credits in programs