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| SOCI0717-2 | Sociology of public action
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| Duration : | 30h SEM |
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| Credits/ECTS : |
| Master in Sociology, in-depth approach, 2nd year | | Second semester | | 6 |
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| Master in Sociology, didactic approach, 2nd year | | Second semester | | 6 |
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| Master in Human Resources Management, Professional Focus, 1st year | | Second semester | | 6 |
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| Master in Human Resources Management, Professional Focus, 2nd year | | Second semester | | 6 |
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| Master in Labour Sciences, Professional Focus, 2nd year | | Second semester | | 6 |
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| Master in Labour sciences | | Second semester | | 6 |
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| Holder(s) : | Jean‑François Orianne |
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| Language : | French language |
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| Course contents : | The course on Sociology of Public Action aims to train students in the main sociological tools (theoretical and methodological), intended for the analysis and the practice of public policy. In order to avoid any misunderstandings, it should be clarified that this is not a course in political sociology, it does not focus on electoral practices, political parties nor democratic processes. The main focus of the course is not politics (nor polity) - in the sense of the political world - but the creation of policy. |
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| Course objective : | By the end of the course, students will be able to :
- Identify the controversies in the literature
- Understand the concepts, methodological principles and the many facets of research.
- Apply these concepts and principles to the analysis of empirical cases
- Establish links between different theoretical, methodological and empirical elements
- Analyse and compare empirical cases
- Criticise or evaluate certain theoretical and/or normative positions
- Produce a tightly worked argument on a case analysis or a theoretical question
To attain these objectives, two learning strategies will be used: a commitment to collaborative working during seminar sessions and a commitment to reading. Please note that the last session of the course is set aside for subject revision and exam preparation. |
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| Prerequisites : | To actively participate in this seminar, it is highly recommended that students have followed an earlier course on introduction to sociology. If this is not the case, the student should attempt to catch up by reading a sociology manual, such as Olgierd Kuty (1998), La négociation des valeurs. Introduction à la sociology, De Boeck, Brussels. |
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| Organization : | This course, designed in the form of a seminar, is divided into two parts:
1) the determining factors of public action;
2) the public players.
The first part consists of an interactive presentation and discussion, based on articles, on the "new" theories of public action, in particular the input of neo-institutionalism and the cognitive approach to public policies. Four general issues structure this study: representations (ideas), change (institutions), rationality (interests), implementation (translation).
The second part is devoted to public players, and more particularly to professional groups responsible for implementing policies in the different fields of public intervention: employment, adult education, teaching, health, the law, etc. Arrangements have been made for external participants (researchers and professionals) to come and expound on empirical "cases" (monographs, assessments, experiences in the field).
It should be noted again that this 30 hour course amounts to 6ECTS credits, although participation in sessions requires students to undertake significant amounts of work at home: reading at least three scientific articles per week; and more occasionally, preparing a presentation of an article during class, research on documentation, developing questions to discuss a text or case study. |
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| Written notes : | In terms of didactic support, students will mainly base their work on a reading portfolio (which is available in the "Point de vue" shop on the Sart-Tilman campus). The main advantage of the reading portfolio as compared to a manual or a syllabus is that it forces the student to take into account a wide range of points of view (both theoretical and methodological). |
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| Assessment : | A mock exam is organised after Easter in the form of a written examination on the theoretical part of the course.
The final (certificative) assessment of the students' work consists of a written exam on all the material covered in class. It will take place in June and September. In particular, the following will be taken into account: the quality of the argumentation, the analytical approach taken, the ability to identify theoretical controversies, the relevance of the analysis |
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| Contacts : | Jean-François Orianne
Sociology of the public action and the problems of the work
Boulevard du Rectorat 7
4000 Liège
Bâtiment B31 / Bureau: 1.99
Tél: 04/366.30.49
jforianne@ulg.ac.be |
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