I. SUBJECT DESCRIPTION
II. SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS
III. COURSE CURRICULUM
SUBJECT DATA
OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
TESTING AND ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING PERFORMANCE
THEMATIC UNITS AND FURTHER DETAILS
Subject name
Discourses of Taboo
ID (subject code)
BMEGT43A380
Type of subject
class
Course types and lessons
Type
Lessons
Lecture
2
Practice
2
Laboratory
0
Type of assessment
term mark
Number of credits
6
Subject Coordinator
Name
Dr. Rajkó Andrea
Position
assistant professor
Contact details
rajko.andrea@gtk.bme.hu
Educational organisational unit for the subject
Department of Sociology and Communication
Subject website
Language of the subject
magyar - HU
Curricular role of the subject, recommended number of terms

Programme: BA in Communication and Media Studies

Subject Role: Compulsory elective

Recommended semester: 3

Direct prerequisites
Strong
None
Weak
None
Parallel
None
Exclusion
None
Validity of the Subject Description
Approved by the Faculty Board of Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Decree No: 581015/11/2025 registration number. Valid from: 2025.11.26.

Objectives

This course is an introduction to taboos in culture and society. It addresses the different criteria of normalcy and encourages the open discussion heterogenous opinions reflected in a wide range of social and communication phenomena.

Academic results

Knowledge
  1. Solid knowledge of the most important social science conceptualizations needed to study the communication phenomena
  2. Solid knowledge of the conceptualization for studying social processes
Skills
  1. Analytical skills
  2. Ability to recognize social and communication problems, and to choose appropriate solutions
Attitude
  1. Openness to social change
Independence and responsibility
  1. Responsible, professionally based social presence

Teaching methodology

Lectures and class discussions

Materials supporting learning

  • A tantárgy elvégzéshez szükséges oktatási anyagok, szakirodalom a kurzus moodle-oldaláról érhető el a hallgatóknak (edu.gtk.bme.hu)

General Rules

Attendance is mandatory. No more than 4 missed classes are allowed. Completion requirement: minimum 50 % of assignments.

Performance assessment methods

Evaluation of classroom activity, presentation, analytical works and final essay.

Percentage of performance assessments, conducted during the study period, within the rating

  • classroom activity: 15
  • presentation: 15
  • analysis: 20
  • final work (essay): 50
  • sum: 100

Percentage of exam elements within the rating

Conditions for obtaining a signature, validity of the signature

Az órák rendszeres látogatása, max. 4 alkalom hiányzás.

Issuing grades

%
Excellent 95-100
Very good 85–94
Good 70–84
Satisfactory 60–69
Pass 50–59
Fail 0–49

Retake and late completion

Retakes and make-ups are regulated by the University’s Code on Education and Examination.

Coursework required for the completion of the subject

Nature of work Number of sessions per term
classes 56
preparation for the classes 56
preparation for the tests 12
reading 56
sum 180

Approval and validity of subject requirements

Consulted with the Faculty Student Representative Committee, approved by the Vice Dean for Education, valid from: 10.11.2025.

Topics covered during the term

1. A tabu fogalma és társadalmi funkciói 2. A modern tabu mint társadalmi konstrukció 3. Test és identitás: biológiai és szimbolikus határok 4. Szexualitás, szexizmus és a nemi szerepek változása 5. Erőszak, hatalom és beleegyezés határai 6. Halál, gyász és az elmúlás tabusítása 7. Mentális zavarok és pszichés sebezhetőség 8. Társadalmi kirekesztés és sztereotípiák 9. Előítélet, antiszemitizmus, cigányellenesség 10. Kulturális tabuk és humor 11. Nyelvi tabuk és káromkodás 12. Digitális tabuk és online moralizálás 13. Rejtett szervezetek, pletykák és informális kommunikáció 14. A tabu jövője: új érzékenységek, új elhallgatások

Lecture topics

Additional lecturers

Name Position Contact details

Approval and validity of subject requirements