Social Theory
| Module title | Social Theory |
|---|---|
| Module code | SOCM023 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Harry G West (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
The module introduces you to a range of central themes and issues that both classical and contemporary social theorists have addressed in their work, all with the view of equipping you with a broad range of conceptual tools with which to understand and research the social world. The thematic structure of the module will enable you to understand, as well as encourage you to assess, the contribution theoretical traditions and paradigms under discussion can make to the analysis of those themes.
Module aims - intentions of the module
- To provide a thorough and rigorous discussion of some of the main theoretical traditions and paradigms in sociology and anthropology.
- To illustrate theories through the use of empirical research and examples.
- To foster techniques of analytical and critical inquiry.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of classical and contemporary social theories
- 2. Engage critically with classical and contemporary social theories
- 3. Interpret the social world through the prism of social theories and theoretical accounts
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate in-depth awareness of the concepts/theories used by sociologists and anthropologists
- 5. Demonstrate in writing ability capacity to apply theoretical models and conjectures generally
- 6. Use empirical and historical case-studies to enrich and test social theories.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. critically engage in complex arguments verbally and in small groups
- 8. effectively communicate in written form complex arguments and ideas
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:
- Epistemology
- Structure/Agency
- Everyday life
- Power and inequality
- Post-humanism and the ontological turn
Each theme will be discussed via the medium of empirical research and/or examples.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour lectures/seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 60 | Preparation for seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 68 | Preparation for essays |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay outline | 500 words | 1-8 | Written and feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 100 | 2,500 words | 1-8 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (2,500 words) | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Inglis, D. and Thorpe, C. (ed) (2012) An Invitation to Social Theory, London: Sage
Stones, R. (ed) (2008) Key Sociological Thinkers, 2nd ed., Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Gane, N. (ed) (2004) The Future of Social Theory, New York: Continuum
Giddens, A. (1971) Capitalism and Modern Social Theory, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Rabinow, P. and Sullivan W.M. (eds) (1979) Interpretive Social Science: a reader, Berkeley: University of California Press
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 04/01/2017 |
| Last revision date | 07/09/2022 |
