CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SOCIOLOGY - 2024/5
Module code: SOC0001
Module Overview
This module introduces students to contemporary issues in sociology, media and communication, and criminology. Students will build foundational knowledge around the three disciplines, exploring key concepts and debates. The focus of the module is to encourage students to evaluate and think critically about the social world and structures they reside in, and to identify ways in which research in these disciplines can help us to understand society and solve contemporary issues.
Module provider
Sociology
Module Leader
GREEN Hannah (Sociology)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 3
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 106
Lecture Hours: 11
Seminar Hours: 11
Guided Learning: 11
Captured Content: 11
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
N/A
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- Key concepts, themes and approaches in sociology
- Key concepts, themes and approaches in media and communication
- Key concepts, themes and approaches in criminology
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Annotated Bibliography | 40 |
| Coursework | Critical Essay | 60 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate that they have (a) learnt critical engagement with academic literature and (b) can apply the gained knowledge to build an argument in an essay.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- One annotated bibliography in which the students can show their engagement, critical analysis and evaluation of academic literature.
- One essay in which the student can use the knowledge from the annotated bibliography and other reading from the module to demonstrate that they can build a logical and well-evidenced argument.
Formative assessment and feedback
Students will be asked to work in small groups in most sessions and then present and discuss ideas based on the topics covered for that week. Informal verbal feedback will be given throughout the session.
Module aims
- Introduce the main concepts, themes and approaches in sociology, media and communication and criminology
- Develop critical thinking and writing skills
- Develop understanding of how different approaches relate to understanding social phenomena
- Understand how to approach current social problems from different disciplinary perspectives
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Understand the main themes, concepts and approaches in sociology, media and communication and criminology | K |
| 002 | Think and write in a critical way about social phenomena | CT |
| 003 | Approach social problems from a variety of disciplinary perspectives | CPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
Encourage students to think critically about different disciplinary approaches in the social sciences and to identify how sociology, media and communication and criminology can be used to approach social problems
Teaching/Learning will be based on:
- Lectures that provide an overview of topics.
- Seminars based around lectures, group work, practical activities and open discussions.
Students are expected to critically engage with weekly topics and will be asked to contribute to group discussion throughout the module.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: SOC0001
Other information
The Department of Sociology is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:
Employability: students develop a range of transferrable skills including critical thinking, reading and writing skills. Seminars are structured around discussions and debates that are designed to develop communication skills.
Digital capabilities: students are required to engage with digital information technologies to access media sources for class tasks and assignments.
Global and cultural capabilities: students learn about the social construction of crime across global cultural contexts.
Resourcefulness and resilience: students are required to independently research, plan and write essays. Students develop their confidence and interpersonal skills through seminar discussions.
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminology and Sociology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Criminology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Law with Criminology with Foundation Year LLB (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Law with International Relations with Foundation Year LLB (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Media and Communication with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Sociology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Law with Foundation Year LLB (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Politics with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| International Relations with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Politics and Sociology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% 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 2024/5 academic year.