Academic courses

Academic course

Sociology and Civil Society

The course examines how social relationships, trust and a sense of agency create conditions for cooperation and responsible participation in public life.

Institution Wroclaw Business Academy
Term 2017/2018 academic year
Language Polish

Course scope

The starting point is a sociological analysis of the relationships between individuals, communities and institutions. Participants examine key concepts describing social interactions, norms, roles and bonds, and consider how everyday actions influence social cohesion and a society’s capacity for cooperation.

Particular attention is given to social capital, trust, reciprocity and networks of cooperation. Their significance for local development, economic activity and democratic institutions is explored. The concept of amoral familism provides a framework for analysing situations in which loyalty limited to close personal networks weakens people’s willingness to act for the benefit of a wider community.

The subject also addresses self-organisation, the development of agency and voluntary association. Participants analyse non-governmental organisations, associations, neighbourhood initiatives, volunteering and grassroots movements. They consider both the opportunities for civic action and barriers arising from unequal access to resources, limited trust, conflicting interests and the insufficient representation of particular groups.

The teaching approach combines sociological theory with experience of engagement in local community development. Civil society is therefore presented not as an abstract ideal, but as an everyday practice of cooperation, communicating needs and accepting responsibility for a shared environment. Openness involves listening to different perspectives and questioning one’s assumptions, while remaining capable of adopting and justifying a responsible position.

The classes also examine new forms of civic participation involving digital communication, social media and open knowledge-sharing. Participants evaluate when technology supports cooperation and participation, and when it contributes to polarisation, superficial engagement or exclusion. Ethical reflection focuses on the common good, representation, leadership responsibility and the wider consequences of collective decisions.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the classes, participants are able to:

  • explain the significance of interactions, norms, social bonds and institutions for the functioning of society;
  • analyse the role of trust, social capital and reciprocity in supporting cooperation;
  • identify processes of self-organisation, voluntary association and the development of collective agency;
  • compare different forms of civic participation within their social and institutional contexts;
  • assess the possibilities and limitations of digital participation tools;
  • analyse civic action in relation to the common good, representation and responsibility.

Teaching methods

  • analysis of local and international examples of civic engagement;
  • case studies concerning trust, self-organisation and cooperation;
  • collaborative diagnosis of the needs and resources of a selected community;
  • analysis of campaigns, digital initiatives and communication by civic organisations;
  • facilitated discussion of the common good, representation and leadership responsibility.

These methods connect sociological concepts with reflection on the practical conditions of cooperation and the responsible design of civic action.

Target group

The classes are intended primarily for students of management, sociology, political science, public administration, public policy, communication and international relations. They are also relevant to those interested in civic organisations, local development and public participation.

Academic and professional relevance

The subject develops an understanding of civil society, social capital and collective action. It supports the analysis of relationships between individual behaviour, community resilience and institutional performance.

The competencies developed are relevant to public administration, non-governmental organisations, cultural institutions, public communication and local projects. They support needs assessment, cooperation-building and decisions that take account of their social and ethical consequences.