Contemporary Sociological Theory
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| SOCI2045 | Sociology and Social Policy | 2 | 10 | Spring UK |
- Code
- SOCI2045
- School
- Sociology and Social Policy
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module approaches contemporary sociological theory through close reading and analyses of selected work by 20th and 21st century social theorists, covering some of the major arguments, methodological, theoretical and conceptual innovations made by contemporary social theorists. Using case studies drawn from both the Global North and the Global South, the module examines how contemporary sociological theory can help us understand various social and political phenomena and transformations characteristic of contemporary society in a ‘globalised world'.
Target Students
Available only to Level 2 students on programmes in the School of Sociology and Social Policy, students on the BA Liberal Arts and Exchange students.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework: 2,000 words
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
This module seeks to equip students to understand the broad theoretical and methodological positions adopted by a range of contemporary social theorists, and the way their perspectives have been taken up. The classes revolve around a series of readings and discussion themes designed to help students master theoretical discourses and the claims they contain and to explore how they can be used and modified to conduct the sociological analysis of contemporary phenomena.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Students should be able to:
• Recognise the main theoretical and methodological perspectives in 20th and 21st century sociological theory and how they relate to distinctive types of empirical inquiry and evidence.
• Critically examine contemporary analyses of social order, social inequality, social identity and the politics of inclusion and exclusion.
• Examine and contrast a variety of theoretical conceptions of the relations between individuals, institutions and the wider society.
Intellectual Skills
Students should be able to:
• Clarify and critically discuss the concepts developed by selected theorists and theories.
• Undertake and present scholarly comparisons, analyses and critiques of different sociological frameworks and perspectives.
• Understand, use and adapt contemporary and methodological perspectives to conduct sociological analysis of real-life phenomena.
Professional/Practical Skills
Students should be able to:
• Formulate theoretical issues capable of being addressed within the frameworks studied.
• Develop and present critiques of theoretical studies and analyses in a systematic format supported by an appropriate scholarly apparatus.
Transferable Skills:
Students should be able:
• Develop their capacity to examine, understand and render intelligible abstract and technical discourses.
• Apply enhanced oral and written language skills, especially with respect to handling abstract frameworks ad concepts.
• Adapt and apply theoretical frameworks and concepts to new empirical topics and problematics.