Module SOCI3531: Advanced Perspectives in Sociology

Department: Sociology

SOCI3531: Advanced Perspectives in Sociology

Prerequisites

• Sociological Imaginations or Self, Identity & Society

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide an in-depth examination of key sociological debates in sociology, chosen from topics that represent some of the main research areas of members of staff teaching in the School ;
• To enable students to critically analyse the social issues at hand, including the key theories, concepts and principles in these areas.

Content

• This module is based on engaging students in subject-specific topics and social problems that are important in contemporary sociological debate.
• Three topics will be taught each year, and these will be situated within current research occurring within the School of Applied Social Sciences. As such, the module will draw on the research and expertise of colleagues across the School and is designed to provide an understanding of the application of sociology to particular issues and social problems. These would be expected to be in the areas of communities and social justice; higher education; transgressive leisure; health and social theory; or violence and abuse.

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of this module, students will:
• have an ability to critically use sociological concepts to understand particular social problems or topics.
• be able to apply a range of sociological theories and concepts to analyze issues within these themes.
• be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding in three specific areas of sociology.
• be competent in accessing and assimilating literature on these topics.

• Upon successful completion of this module, students will:
• evaluate sociological arguments and evidence.
• apply concepts and knowledge to arguments in the topic area.
• evaluate the value of particular sociological methods in these contexts.
• convey a critical awareness of the key debates in these areas and the limits of sociological knowledge.

• Upon successful completion of this module, students will:
• have an ability to develop own arguments at a higher level.
• have a capacity to improve own learning and performance.
• have a high standard in writing.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• This module will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars, structured around the learning outcomes above.
• The module will be organised into three core strands, of six lecture blocks per topic. There will be an introductory and conclusion lecture as well. There will be 3 seminars per research topic block, and two related to summative assignments.
• The formative assessment will be based on the first topic; the first summative assessment will be on the second topic; the second summative assessment will be on the third topic.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Two abstracts of 500 words each.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University