Module SXU-1003:
SXU-1003 Introduction to Sociology
Module Facts
Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences
20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits
Semester 1
Organiser: Dr Corinna Patterson
Overall aims and purpose
This module introduces students to sociology and provides a foundation for further study in the subject. It begins with a general overview of the ways in which sociologists have made sense of the world we live in and how they construct theories to explain the patterns and regularities of social life. It examines the nature of 'society' and processes of historical change and it explores the origins and development of social institutions such as the family, education, work and religion.
The module aims: 1. To introduce students of varying backgrounds to the 'sociological imagination', focusing on key theories, concepts and topics in sociology. 2. To consider the nature and definition of 'society', and the types of social classification and social groupings of which it is made up, including social class, gender and race. 3. To examine the causes and consequences of social change, including urbanization, modernization, and globalization. 4. To investigate the origins and development of social institutions such as the educational system and the nation state. 5. To discuss the nature and role of culture in social life and in relation to social behaviour and social identity. 6. To explore the processes of social interaction and collective behaviours between people in terms of socialization and collective actions associated with social movements.
Course content
This module introduces students to Sociology. The module runs over Semester One, giving students a comprehensive sociological foundation to some of the key sociological issues and debates.
The module introduces following aspects of social sciences:
Semester 1 The nature of social sciences and relations between key disciplines and methods Interaction and communication Life course and the family Gender and socialization Culture and media Social stratification, education and work Organizations and institutions (the politics of welfare) Globalization The environment and urbanization Political sociology and social movements.
Assessment Criteria
good
Good = B- to B+. Students must demonstrate the ability to examine and evaluate a range of academic texts; demonstrate a substantial understanding of sociological perspectives on society, social institutions, culture, identity and social interaction, using a range of sources; to demonstrate the ability to summarize some of the main theoretical perspectives; to present their work in a logical, evidenced-based and clear manner.
excellent
Excellent = A- to A*. Students must demonstrate an exceptional understanding of sociological perspectives on society, social institutions, culture, identity and social interaction; use a range of sources; must demonstrate the ability to examine and critically evaluate a wide range of academic texts; present their arguments in a logical, evidence-based and well communicated manner.
threshold
Threshold = D- to D+. Students will show a very basic understanding of sociological perspectives on society, social institutions, culture, identity and social interaction and will have only done a minimum of reading and research, relying too heavily on basic text books and lecture notes and poor sources. their work will be lacking critical or analytical analysis, and contextual understanding and structure and coherence is likely to be weak.
Students in the higher band of C- to C+ must demonstrate some ability to critically evaluate academic text; show an ability to engage with the topic in a factual, evidence-based way; presenting their work logically and clearly.
Learning outcomes
-
Identify and apply key theories and concepts in Sociology.
-
Understand the origins and development of social institutions in contemporary society.
-
Demonstrate an understanding of social continuities, change and diversity.
-
Discuss ways in which social life is ordered and shaped in the context of culture, social identities and social interaction.
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
ESSAY | 2,000 Word Essay | 60.00 | |
CLASS TEST | Mid-term Assessment | A short on-line test with a mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions |
40.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Lecture | 2 Weekly On-line lectures over Semester One ( approx 2 hours x 12 weeks) |
24 |
Seminar | One weekly On-line one hour seminar over Semester One (1 semester x 12 weeks). |
12 |
Private study | 164 |
Transferable skills
- Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
- Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
- Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
- Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
- Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
- Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
- Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sentistevely with others
- Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
- Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
- Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
- Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
- Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
- Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
- Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
- Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
- Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
- Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in
Subject specific skills
- Critically evaluate the mixed economy of welfare and the interrelationships between health and social care and between the agencies, practitioners and individuals involved in their provision;
- Capacity to identify and describe the causes and consequences of social order and change in specific contexts.
- Ability to formulate and investigate sociologically informed questions.
- Appreciate a range of research designs and strategies and how they may be applied to sociological investigations.
- Be able to recognize how social data and sociological knowledge apply to questions of public policy.
- Use the theories and concepts of social policy and other social sciences to analyse policy problems and issues
- The ability to identify criminological problems, formulate questions and investigate them
- the ability to formulate and investigate sociologically informed questions
- competence in using major theoretical perspectives and concepts in sociology, and their application to social life
- the capacity to analyse, assess and communicate empirical sociological information
- the ability to conduct sociological research
- the ability to understand the ethical implications of sociological enquiry
- the ability to recognise the relevance of sociological knowledge to social, public and civic policy.
Resources
Resource implications for students
none
Reading list
Course Textbook:
Giddens, A. Sutton, P.W. (2017) Sociology (8th Edition). Cambridge: Polity Press.
Additional Suggested Reading:
Allen, G. (1999) The Sociology of the Family. Oxford: Blackwell.
Allen, G. & Crow, G. (2001) Families, Households and Society. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Allen, J. & Hamnett, C. (1995) A Shrinking World? Global Unevenness and Inequality. Oxford: Oxford University.
Bauman, Z. (1998) Globalization: The Human Consequences. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Bauman, Z. & May, T. (2001) Thinking Sociologically (2nd Edition). Oxford: Blackwell.
Bennet, Tony. (2010) Bordieu: Distinction. A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. London: Routledge.
Wendy Bottero (2004) Class Identities and the Identity of Class. London: Sage.
Beuchler, Steven M. (2000) Social Movements in Advanced Capitalism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Coffey, A. (2001) Education and Social Change. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Charles, N. (2002) Gender in Modern Britain. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Oxford
Cohen, Robin and KJennedy, Paul (2007) Global Sociology. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillain.
Crompton, R. (1997) Women & Work in Modern Britain. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Delamont, S. (2001) Changing Women, Unchanged Men? Sociological Perspectives on Gender in a Post-industrial Society. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Falk, P. (1994) The Consuming Body. London: Sage. Fine, Cornelia (2011) Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference. London: W. W. Norton and Company. Fulcher, Scott (2013) Sociology 4th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Giddens, A. Sutton, P.W. (2017) Essential Concepts in Sociology (2ndh Edition). Cambridge: Polity Press.
Giddens, A. (1991) Modernity and Self Identity. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Goffman, E. (1959) The Presentation of self in Everyday Life. New York: Doubleday.
Hughes, J., Martin, P., Sharrock, W. (1995) Understanding Classical Sociology. London: Sage.
Irwin, Alan (2001) Sociology and the Environment: A Critical Introduction to Society, Nature and Knowledge. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Lury, Ceilia (2011) Consumer Culture (2nd Edition). Cambridge: Polity Press
MacGillivaray, Alex (2006) A Brief History of Globalization. London: Robinsons.
Macoionis, John J. and Plummer, Ken. (2012) Sociology: A Global Introduction (5th Edition). Harlow: Pearsons.
Mayer, David S., Whittier, Nancy and Robnett, Belinda (2002) Social Movements: Identity Culture and the State. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Jenkins, R. (1996) Social Identity. London: Routledge.
Layder, D. (2006) Understanding Social Theory. London: Sage.
Putnam, Robert D. (2016) Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis. New York, Simon & Schuster
Putnam, Robert, D. (2001) Bowling Alone: New York, Simon & Schuster
Ritzer, George (2000) The McDonaldization of Society. London: Pine Forge Press.
Ritzer, George (2007) The Globalization of Nothing. London: Pine Forge Press.
Ritzer G. (2015) Introduction to Sociology 2nd Edition, London: SAGE Publications Additional materials for that book are available on: http://edge.sagepub.com/ritzerintro2e
Skeggs, B. (1997) Formations of Class and Identity. London: Sage.
Stoetzler, Marcel (2017) Beginning Classical Social Theory. Manchester: Manchester University Press
Stones, R. (Ed) (2007) Key Sociological Thinkers (2nd Edition).
Taylor, S. (Ed) (1999) Sociology – Issues and Debates. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Taylor, G. & Spencer, S. (2004) Social Identities. London: Routledge.
Wright Mills, C. (1999) The Sociological Imagination. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Pre- and Co-requisite Modules
Pre-requisite of:
Courses including this module
Compulsory in courses:
- X316: BA Astudiaethau Plentyndod ac Ieuenctid a Chymdeithaseg year 1 (BA/APIC)
- LM3Y: BA Cymdeithaseg&CriminologyCrimJ year 1 (BA/CCCJ)
- M93B: BA Criminology & Criminal Just (4yr with Incorp Foundation) year 1 (BA/CCJ1)
- X315: BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Sociology year 1 (BA/CYSS)
- LL13: BA Sociology/Economics year 1 (BA/ECS)
- LL2B: BA Sociology & Economics (4 yr with Incorporated Foundation) year 1 (BA/ECS1)
- LQ3J: BA English Lang. & Sociology year 1 (BA/ELSOC)
- L700: BA Geography year 1 (BA/GEOG)
- L702: BA Geography (4 yr with placement) year 1 (BA/GEOG4)
- L701: BA Geography (with International Experience) year 1 (BA/GEOGIE)
- LVJ1: BA Cymdeithaseg/Hanes year 1 (BA/HSW)
- LP33: BA Media Studies and Sociology year 1 (BA/MSSOC)
- L401: Polisi Cymdeithasol year 1 (BA/PC)
- CL83: BA Sociology/Psychology year 1 (BA/PS)
- L300: BA Sociology year 1 (BA/S)
- L31B: BA Sociology (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 1 (BA/S1)
- LM40: BA Sociology & Criminology & Crim Just with International Ex year 1 (BA/SCJIE)
- LM39: BA Sociology and Criminology & Criminal Justice year 1 (BA/SCR)
- 3L3Q: BA Sociology and English Literature year 1 (BA/SEL)
- L30F: BA Sociology [with Foundation Year] year 1 (BA/SF)
- LV31: BA Sociology/History year 1 (BA/SH)
- 8Y70: BA Sociology (with International Experience) year 1 (BA/SIE)
- LQ31: BA Sociology/Linguistics year 1 (BA/SL)
- L41B: BA Social Policy (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 1 (BA/SOCP1)
- L402: BA Social Policy year 1 (BA/SOCPOL)
- L40F: BA Social Policy [with Foundation Year] year 1 (BA/SOCPOLF)
- LL34: BA Sociology and Social Policy year 1 (BA/SOCSP)
- L30P: BA Sociology with Placement Year year 1 (BA/SOP)
- LM50: BA Social Policy and Criminology and Criminal Justice (IE) year 1 (BA/SPCIE)
- L3LK: BA Cymd gyda Phol Cymd year 1 (BA/SSPW)
- LQH5: BA Cymdeithaseg a Chymraeg year 1 (BA/SWW)
- LVH1: BA Cymdeithaseg/Hanes Cymru year 1 (BA/SWWH)
- LVH2: BA Welsh History/Sociology year 1 (BA/WHS)
- LQ35: BA Cymraeg and Sociology year 1 (BA/WS)
- F801: MGeog Geography year 1 (MGEOG/G)
- F805: MGeog Geography with International Experience year 1 (MGEOG/GIE)
Optional in courses:
- X318: BA Astudiaeth Plentyndod ac Ieuenctid a Pholisi Cymdeithasol year 1 (BA/APIPC)
- LC31: BA Criminology & Crim Justice & Psychology (with Int Exp) year 1 (BA/CCJPIE)
- M931: BA Criminology & Criminal Justice with International Exp year 1 (BA/CJIE)
- M930: BA Criminology & Criminal Justice year 1 (BA/CRIM)
- M93P: BA Criminology and Criminal Justice with Placement Year year 1 (BA/CRIMP)
- MR95: BA Criminology&Criml Just/Italian year 1 (BA/CRIT)
- MC98: BA Criminology/Psychology year 1 (BA/CRP)
- MR94: BA Criminology/Spanish year 1 (BA/CRSP)
- X317: BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Social Policy year 1 (BA/CYSP)
- M3Q9: BA English Literature and Criminology and Criminal Justice year 1 (BA/ENC)
- MR91: BA French/Criminology&Crim'l Just year 1 (BA/FRCR)
- MR92: BA Criminology&CrimJustice/German year 1 (BA/GCR)
- V100: BA History year 1 (BA/H)
- MVX1: BA History/Criminology year 1 (BA/HCR)
- V10F: BA History [with Foundation Year] year 1 (BA/HF)
- 8B03: BA History (with International Experience) year 1 (BA/HIE)
- V10P: BA History with Placement Year year 1 (BA/HP)
- V140: BA Modern & Contemporary History year 1 (BA/MCH)
- V130: BA Mediaeval and Early Modern His year 1 (BA/MEMH)
- VV15: BA Medieval & Early Modern History with International Exp year 1 (BA/MEMHIE)
- LM4X: BA Polisi Cymdeithasol & Criminology and Criminal Justice year 1 (BA/PCCCJ)
- L200: BA Politics year 1 (BA/POL)
- L20F: BA Politics [with Foundation Year] year 1 (BA/POLF)
- L201: BA Politics with Placement Year year 1 (BA/POLP)
- LM49: BA Social Policy/Criminology year 1 (BA/SPCR)
- LL14: BA Social Policy/Economics year 1 (BA/SPEC)
- LL1B: BA Social Policy & Economics (4yr with Incorp Foundation) year 1 (BA/SPEC1)
- LL15: BA Social Policy and Economics with International Experience year 1 (BA/SPECIE)
- CL84: BA Social Policy/Psychology year 1 (BA/SPP)
- CL85: BA Social Policy & Psychology with International Experience year 1 (BA/SPPIE)
- LVK1: BA Polisi Cymdeithasol/Hanes year 1 (BA/SPWH)
- LQK5: BA Polisi Cymdeithasol a Chymraeg year 1 (BA/SPWW)
- LVL1: BA Pol Cymd/Han Cymru year 1 (BA/SPWWH)
- VV12: BA Welsh History/History year 1 (BA/WHH)
- M100: LLB Law year 1 (LLB/L)
- M11B: LLB Law (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 1 (LLB/L1)
- M102: LLB Law (International Experience) year 1 (LLB/LI)
- M108: LLB Law with Social Policy (International Experience) year 1 (LLB/LIF)
- M10P: LLB Law with Placement Year year 1 (LLB/LP)
- M1L4: LLB Law with Social Policy year 1 (LLB/LSP)
- M1LB: LLB Law with Social Policy (4 yr with Incorp Foundation) year 1 (LLB/LSP1)
- V102: MArts History with International Experience year 1 (MARTS/HIE)
- V101: MArts History year 1 (MARTS/HIST)