Checking date: 13/03/2025 12:41:39


Course: 2025/2026

Historical Sociology
(17699)
Bachelor in History and Politics (Study Plan 2018) (Plan: 394 - Estudio: 352)


Coordinating teacher: VALIENTE FERNANDEZ, CELIA

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
None.
Objectives
This course offers an intellectual and scientific orientation regarding the importance of the past for the functioning of the political system and society. The course also attempts to sensitize students to the elements of historical change that one encounters in all political processes and realities. The subject seeks to develop theoretical and methodological knowledge among the students. Another objective is to develop analytical capacities and substantive knowledge among students.
Learning Outcomes
K2: To know the historical evolution of political institutions, from Antiquity to the present day, identifying their impact on government systems K4: Classify the different political systems and governance structures at the global level, comparing their similarities and differences K5: Describe the actors, institutions, and processes that shape international relations, explaining their influence on the global landscape K6: To compare historical economic systems, relating them to their socio-political context from Antiquity to the present day S1: Build solid historical and political arguments from a rigorous documentary base S2: Apply logical and creative thinking in solving complex historiographical and political problems S3: Experiment with research methodologies, simulating historical or political situations relevant to their analysis S4: Simulate geopolitical scenarios and international conflicts, demonstrating understanding of their implications S5: Demonstrate academic writing skills by crafting essays and articles based on original research S8: Creating innovative approaches to address historical and political problems S9: Observe historical and political phenomena with a critical and contextual perspective C1: Have critical and analytical skills evaluating historical sources and political texts to interpret their relevance in real contexts C2: Solve complex problems by adapting historical and political knowledge to propose effective solutions in contemporary situations C3: Actively participate in interdisciplinary projects to analyze historical and political phenomena from multiple perspectives
Description of contents: programme
PART 1. CONCEPTUAL AND METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK 1. What is historical sociology? 2. Research design in comparative sociology PART 2. INSTITUTIONS AND CENTRAL TOPICS IN HISTORICAL SOCIOLOGY 3. Types of social power and the evolution of empires 4. Organizational sources of the modern state 5. Political institutions and social revolutions 6. Cultural and economic factors in the birth of capitalism 7. Social structure and political modernization 8. Socio-economic inequalities and the welfare state 9. Political opportunities, frames and collective action 10. Structural changes and political cleavages 11. Cultural and political origins of civil society 12. The world society theory
Learning activities and methodology
1. Theoretical and Practical Classes. In these classes the knowledge that students are expected to acquire is presented. Students will be introduced to basic texts that will serve sa points of reference for following the class and for the assignments and written work of the class. Student capacities will be developed through exercises and workshops as well as evaluative tests. 2. Individual and group tutorials for students. 3. Individual and group assignments for students. Method 1. Theoretical classes focused on concepts, bibliography and other pedagogical materials and instruments. Method 2. Practical classes. Resolution of practical cases and problems offered by the professor. Method 3. Tutorials. Individual and group meetings with the professor.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination/test 60
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 40

Calendar of Continuous assessment


Extraordinary call: regulations
Basic Bibliography
  • Barrington Moore. Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy: Lord and Peasant in the Making of the Modern World. Beacon. 1966
  • Charles Tilly, Louise Tilly and Richard Tilly. The Rebellious Century. Harvard. 1975
  • Philip Gorski. The Disciplinary Revolution: Calvinism and the Rise of the Modern State in Early Modern Europe. Chicago. 2003
  • Theda Skocpol. States and Social Revolutions. Cambridge University Press. 1979
Additional Bibliography
  • Fishman, Robert M. . Democratic Practice: Origins of the Iberian Divide in Political Inclusion. Oxford University Press. 2019

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.