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Social Analysis

Module description

The module will introduce you to a range of sociologically significant contemporary phenomena and the ways in which sociologists study them. Both theoretical and empirical sociological work will be explored to understand the kind of questions sociologists ask, as well as the answers they provide, in their analysis of the social world. You will learn about social inequality and poverty and the ways to measure and analyse them. You will examine gender differences, immigration, ageing and other widely discussed issues. The main focus of the module is on the sociological perspectives, but we will also explore ideas and approaches from other social sciences.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The main aim of this module is to introduce you to the main areas, concepts and approaches in sociology and in other social sciences. You will be equipped with the conceptual and methodological toolkit required for researching a range of sociologically relevant issues. You will also gain an understanding of the substantive areas where social analysis skills can be applied.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Explain and illustrate different modes of social analysis and their concomitant theoretical / conceptual frameworks;
• 2. Exhibit awareness of the historical, social and political developments influencing social analysis;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 3. Recognise the main theoretical concepts and methods in sociology.
• 4. Know about some sources of empirical data for sociology.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 5. Write clearly and in a structured way about social sciences using academic language.
• 6. Formulate and discuss core theoretical ideas, and discussions and apply them to various social issues

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 themes:

• Income inequality and poverty
• Social classes and social mobility
• Gender inequalities
• Race and ethnicity
• Immigration
• Education
• Social norms and values
• Religion and secularisation
• Environment
• Crime
• Population growth, ageing and demographics of Western societies

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

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

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

• F. van Tubergen. (2020). Introduction to Sociology. Routledge.

Key words search

Social sciences; social problems; sociology; social analysis