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Contemporary Society: Themes, Perspectives and Case Studies

Module description

In this module you will study the subject matter of sociology. Looking at various concepts, theoretical perspectives and research areas, you will consider key sociological terms and their relevance to explaining contemporary social phenomena. The module encourages you to develop a critical understanding of the rise and transformation of modern societies from the 18th century to the present day, with a particular focus on the last three decades. Different foci will serve as mini-introductions to many of the optional modules in years 2 and 3. The module has no pre-requisites or co-requisites required. This module is suitable for non-specialist students and interdisciplinary pathways.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module is intended to help you develop a critical understanding of the transformation of modern societies from Enlightenment to the present day. The module aims to inspire a genuine engagement with topical research and scholarship by introducing you to sociological ways of seeing and explaining the modern world. It familiarises you with diverse sociological perspectives and specialist fields, connecting them to general socio-historical developments.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the sociological issues that are the subject matter of this module;
• 2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sociological perspectives on societal change since the emergence of modernity
• 3. Demonstrate an analytical understanding of diverse developments in contemporary society;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Demonstrate the ability to relate key concepts and sociological knowledge to specific contexts;
• 5. Think clearly and argue logically about contemporary societies, expressing sociological ideas both orally and in writing;
• 6. Appreciate the benefits of critical and comparative analyses on basic sociological questions

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Demonstrate the ability to undertake independent study;
• 8. Demonstrate the ability to select appropriately from a range of suggested material
• 9. Demonstrate the ability present key arguments clearly

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Enlightenment and modernity
• Political economy and political transformation
• Globalisation and cultural change
• Race
• Class
• Gender
• The body
• Consumption
• Media
• Health and Illness

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Re-assessment notes

Case studies (one per term), consist of concept discussion (as do formative assessments) and its application in relation to pre-selected quotes, vignettes, media prompts, etc. from a range of topics covered in the module.

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to redo the assessment(s) as defined above. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Castells, M. 1998. The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture, Oxford: Blackwell.
• Crompton, R. 1993. Class and Stratification: an introduction to current debates. London: Polity.
• Mann, M. 1993. 'National States in Europe and Other Developing Countries', Daedalus, 122 (3): 115-40.
• Murray, C. 1990. The Emerging British Underclass. London: IEA.
• Ritzer, G. 1996. The McDonaldization of Society. London: Sage.
• Skeggs, B. 1997 Formations of class and gender: becoming respectable. London: SAGE Publications.
• Weeks, J (2003) Sexuality (2nd Edition). London: Routledge

Key words search

Sociology, class, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, modernity, consumption, media