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Macro Sociological Theory

Code: 101126
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Sociology OB 3

Contact lecturer

Name :
José Antonio Noguera Ferrer
Email :
jose.noguera@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Dafne Muntanyola Saura

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is recommended to have passed "Fonaments de Sociologia", "Pensament Sociològic Contemporani" and, specially, "Teoria Sociològica Micro". Besides, it is strongly recommended to have passed "Pensament Sociològic Contemporani". The course assumes the students have basic knowledge of the classics of sociology and the main schools of sociological thought in the XXth century.

Objectives

As revealed by the emphasis on learning skills, sociological theory should significantly contribute to built students’ basic conceptual map. To do so, the course articulates two different pedagogical criteria: it introduces the main current theoretical contributions to sociology, and it does so in systematic way, given that the historical aspects have already been studied in "Fonaments de Sociologia" and in "Pensament Sociològic Contemporani".

 

Learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrating a comprehension of the analysis of social phenomena presented in English, as well as observing their strengths and weaknesses.
  2. Developing critical thinking and reasoning and communicating them effectively both in your own and other languages.
  3. Defining the main micro and macro sociological concepts.
  4. Comparing theoretical approaches about the macro- and micro- sociological phenomena.
  5. Expressing the debates about these approaches in several moments.
  6. Distinguishing the underlying social phenomena of specific policies or conflicts.

Contents

  1. Introduction to macrosocial phenomena.
  2. Social structure and change: societies as complex adaptive systems.
  3. Social groups and networks.
  4. Social influence and diffusion of behaviour: basic mechanisms.
  5. Power, inequalities, and social hierarchies: types and dynamics.
  6. Social norms: concept, types, emergence, and compliance.
  7. Social institutions and institutional design.
  8. The future of social science.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Individual tuition 14 0.56 1, 2, 4, 5
Presentation and discussion of contents 42 1.68 1, 5
Writng papers and exercises 21 0.84 1, 3, 5
Practical exercises: seminars, etc. 14 0.56 3, 4, 5, 6
Reading texts 36 1.44 2, 4
Study 16 0.64 2, 3, 4, 6

 

The course is based on 4 types of activities:

1) Lectures that will present the contents in class counting on students’ active and critical participation.

2) Practical exercises and other activities that will allow students to apply the theories studied in class.

3) Individual tuition.

4) Students’ autonomous activities: reading list.

 

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Compulsory readings based exercises 30% 3 0.12 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Exams 70% 4 0.16 1, 3, 4, 6

The continuous evaluation will be based on five pieces of evidence:

 

1) Two partial exams on the subject matter and the compulsory readings (the first on October 31 and the second on December 14). (35% + 35% = 70%)

2) Three practical exercises during the course, related to the topics studied in class. The exercises will be described and scheduled throughout the course in specific documents. Orientatively, the first one will be due at the beginning of October, the second one at the end of October, and the third one at the beginning of December. (10% + 10% + 10% = 30%)

 

Observations:

  • To pass the subject in the continuous assessment it will be necessary to obtain a minimum weighted average grade of five.
  • All the assessed exercises will count for the average grade. If there is none, the grade will be \"not assessed\".
  • The exams will be multiple choice tests.
  • In case of not the continuous evaluation, it will be possible to opt for a single evaluation at the end of the semester through a final exam on the contents of the subject and the compulsory readings, which will take place on the day that will be determined in due time by the official exams calendar of the Faculty.
  • The retake exam (both for the continuous and single assessment) will also take place on the day that will be determined in due time for retake in the official exams calendar of the Faculty.

Use of AI: Model 2 - Restricted Use: For this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively in support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches, text correction or translations. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency in the use of AI in this activity will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a partial or total penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.

Bibliography

1. Introduction to macrosocial phenomena.

Watts, Duncan (2011). “Preface: A Sociologist’s Apology”, in Everything is Obvious Once You Know the Answer. New York, Random House.

Goldthorpe, John (2016). “La sociología como ciencia de la población: la idea central”, in La sociología como ciencia de la población. Madrid, Alianza, 2017.

2. Social structure and change: societies as complex adaptive systems.

Blau, P. M. (1980). "A Fable about Social Structure". Social Forces, 58(3), 777–788.

3. Social groups and networks.

Granovetter, Mark (1973). “La fuerza de los vínculos débiles”, Política y Sociedad, 33 (2000).

4. Social influence and diffusion of behaviour: basic mechanisms.

Coleman, James; Katz, Eliu & Menzel, Herbert (1957). “La difusión de una innovación entre los médicos”, in Félix Requena (ed.): Análisis de redes sociales. Orígenes, teorías y aplicaciones. Madrid, Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS), 2003.

5. Power, inequalities, and social hierarchies: types and dynamics.

Stinchcombe, Arthur L. (1968). “La conceptualización de los fenómenos de poder” (fragment), in La construcción de teorías sociales. Buenos Aires, Ediciones Nueva Visión, 1970.

Wright, Erik O. (2016). “Two Approaches to Inequality and Their Normative Implications”, Items. Insights from the Social Sciences. July 5 (https://items.ssrc.org/what-is-inequality/two-approaches-to-inequality-and-their-normative-implications/).

Wright, Erik O. (2012). “In Defense of Genderlessness”, in Gosseries, Axel & Vanderborght, Yannick (eds.): Arguing about justice: essays for Philippe van Parijs. Louvain (Bélgica): Presses Universitaires de Louvain.

6. Social norms: concept, types, emergence, and compliance.

Bicchieri, Cristina. (2016). “Diagnosing Norms”, in Norms in the Wild: How to Diagnose, Measure, and Change Social Norms. New York, Oxford University Press.

7. Social institutions and institutional design.

Goodin, Robert E. (1996). “Las instituciones y su diseño”, in Robert E. Goodin (comp.), Teoría del diseño institucional. Barcelona, Gedisa, 2003.

8. The future of social science.

Elster, Jon (2007). “Conclusión: ¿Es posible la ciencia social?” in La explicación del comportamiento social. Barcelona, Gedisa, 2010.

REFERENCE TEXTS

Elster, Jon (2007). La explicación del comportamiento social. Barcelona, Gedisa, 2010.

Linares, Francisco (2018). Sociología y teoría social analíticas. Madrid, Alianza.

Van Tubergen, Frank (2020). Introduction to Sociology. London, Routledge.

COMPLEMENTARY READINGS

Bicchieri, Cristina (2016). Norms in the Wild: How to Diagnose, Measure, and Change Social Norms. New York, Oxford University Press.

Bicchieri, Cristina (2006). The Grammar of Society. The Nature and Dynamics of Social Norms. New York, Cambridge University Press.

Coleman, James S. (1990). Fundamentos de teoría social. Madrid, Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS).

Goldthorpe, John (2016). La sociología como ciencia de la población. Madrid, Alianza, 2017.

Goldthorpe, John H. (2007). De la sociología: números, narrativas e integración de la investigación y la teoría. Madrid, Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas, 2010.

Goodin, Robert E. (comp.) (1996). Teoría del diseño institucional. Barcleona, Gedisa, 2003.

Noguera, José A. (ed.) (2010). Teoría sociológica analítica. Madrid, Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas.

Requena, Félix (ed.) (2003). Análisis de redes sociales. Orígenes, teorías y aplicaciones. Madrid, Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS).

Schelling, Thomas (1978). Micromotivos y macroconducta. México, FCE, 1989.

Stinchcombe, Arthur L. (1968). La construcción de teorías sociales. Buenos Aires, Ediciones Nueva Visión, 1970.

Watts, Duncan (2011). Everything is Obvious Once You Know the Answer. New York, Random House.

Software

It does not apply.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 51 Catalan first semester afternoon
(SEM) Seminars 51 Catalan first semester afternoon