CRITICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THINKING - 2017/8
Module code: SOC2071
Module provider
Sociology
Module Leader
EVERGETI V Dr (Sociology)
Number of Credits
15
ECTS Credits
7.5
Framework
FHEQ Level 5
JACs code
L300
Module cap (Maximum number of students)
N/A
Module Availability
Semester 1
Overall student workload
Independent Study Hours: 128
Lecture Hours: 11
Seminar Hours: 11
Assessment pattern
Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Coursework | COMMENTARY | 20 |
Examination | SEEN EXAM ( 2 HOURS ) | 80 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
N/A
Module overview
This module builds upon the knowledge that students have developed at level 1, and focuses on some key issues within the critical side of sociological thinking. It examines differences between forms of critical sociological explanation discussed within their socio-historical context and in relation to such broad issues as the nature of social organisation, the workings of power, and modes of everyday behaviour, and such more specific issues as inequality, capitalism, the culture, social change and environmental degradation. It also considers the value of each past and contemporary critical sociological perspective and of the more general critical sociological enterprise.
Module aims
Cover some key paradigms within sociological theory
Consider the relevance today of these paradigms
Compare and evaluate critical and descriptive forms of sociological thinking
Learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | |
---|---|
Have an understanding of some key theoretical traditions within sociology, and the points of contention between them | K |
Have a sense of the relevance today of 19th and 20th Century sociological theory | KC |
Be able to use sociological concepts and theories to question widely held cultural assumptions and critically assess aspects of social organisation | CT |
Appreciate the different ways in which sociological thought can illuminate everyday life | CT |
Have developed skills in writing, in exam conditions, on pre-prepared topics | PT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Module content
Indicative content includes:
The critical traditions of Marxism and Western Marxism
The critical tradition of feminism
Race critical theory
Environmentalist critiques
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
Introduce students to different forms of sociological thinking and encourage them to assess their respective applicability to the world around them.
The learning and teaching methods include:
11 lectures and 11 seminars OR student-centred learning (weekly 2-hour bloc) depending on student numbers
Weekly reading and seminar preparation
Seminar discussions
Summative commentary to encourage students to apply forms of sociological thinking to the world around them
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate
knowledge of the differences and similarities between different forms of critical sociological thinking and a capacity to apply them to their own experiences as social actors
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
A commentary giving students the opportunity to apply concepts and ideas covered on the module to a current social phenomenon (week 6)
A seen exam including a question for each of the perspectives covered on the module (week 13-14)
Formative assessment and feedback
Verbal feedback in tutorials
Reading list
Reading list for CRITICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THINKING : http://aspire.surrey.ac.uk/modules/soc2071
Programmes this module appears in
Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
---|---|---|---|
Sociology BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2017/8 academic year.