SOS2550 – The Sociology of Small Groups & Subcultures
Course content
We experience the most significant moments of our lives in small groups and subcultures: families, sports teams, romantic partners, working groups, friendship groups, musical subcultures, sports subcultures, and political subcultures are just a few examples. Groups and subcultures shape our thoughts, identities, and actions. They also contribute to large-scale social change and social stability. This course introduces students to the microsociology of small groups and subcultures and reviews the sociological theories and research methods used to understand them. Students will come to understand how small groups and subcultures structure social life, and how small groups and subcultures affect their own lives and behaviors.
Learning outcome
- Understand central terms and concepts within the sociology of small groups and subcultures.
- Understand important sociological theories of small groups and subcultures
- Knowledge of sociological research methods for investigating small groups and subcultures.
- Understand how small groups and subcultures form and change over time.
- Knowledge of key social aspects of group and subcultures such as norms, social structures, leadership, conformity, power, inequality, conflict, and cooperation.
- Understand the different social roles that exist in small groups and subcultures.
- Understand how small groups and subcultures affect identity, deviance, emotions, and creativity.
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Skills
- Ability to theorize about small groups and subcultures.
- Experience observing and studying small groups and subcultures.
- Facility in analyzing and synthesizing information, problem solving, and thinking creatively and critically.
- Ability to apply understanding of small group and subcultural processes to everyday life.
- Enhanced critical discussion skills.
- Enhanced ability to deliver oral presentations in a group setting.
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General competence
- Awareness of the significance of small groups and subcultures for social life and individual biographies, and understanding of the complex interplay between micro and macro forms of social interaction.
Admission to the course
Studenter m? hvert semester?s?ke og f? plass p? undervisningen og melde seg til eksamen?i Studentweb.
Dersom du ikke allerede har studieplass ved UiO, kan du s?ke opptak til v?re?studieprogrammer,?eller s?ke om ? bli?enkeltemnestudent.
Teaching
- Lectures
- In-class discussions
- Compulsory activities
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Compulsory activities
There will be one obligatory assignment in the course. It has to be accepted and passed before you are able to take the final exam. Details and deadlines will be given in Canvas.
Examination
- 4 hour written exam
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It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a postponed exam later in the same semester.
See also our information about resitting an exam.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.