Modiwl SXS-3003:
Theorizing Society & Politics

Rhedir gan School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences

20 Credyd neu 10 Credyd ECTS

Semester 1

Trefnydd: Dr Marcel Stoetzler

1. To develop the ability to use the vocabulary of contemporary social and political theory in appropriate ways.
2. To cultivate comparative awareness of how a range of contemporary social and political theorists conceptualize 'structure' and 'agency'.
3. To explain the influence of trends in social and political philosophy (including Critical Theory, feminism and postmodernism) on recent sociological theory.
4. To demonstrate how social context influences social and political thinking.

This module explores the origins, nature and significance of social and political theories and concepts developed in the 20th century. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of such approaches as Critical Theory (such as Adorno, Horkheimer, Marcuse), post-structuralism (such as Foucault, Bauman, Lyotard), and feminist 'standpoint' and 'intersectionality' theory. It considers a range of theories which seek to address knowledge, power and subordination in terms of gender divisions and differences of class, race and/or sexuality. The module seeks to ask questions about the relationship between social and political theory, social action, movements, modernity, capitalism, social change, research and everyday life. The module aims to encourage students to reflect on their own position as participants in social and political interaction.

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To pass the module students must have achieved the expected outcomes at a basic level. They will be able to identify the main contributors to contemporary sociological theory and offer a basic description of their theories in context. They will show an adequate awareness of recent trends and the main similarities and contrasts between them. They will show some understanding of how theories may be applied to selected contemporary social issues.

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Good students will be able to identify the main contributors to contemporary sociological theory, summarise their theories and explain their origins. They will show a good awareness of recent trends and the main similarities and contrasts between them. They will show a good understanding and reflexive awareness of how theories may be applied to contemporary social issues.

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Excellent students will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and a developed understanding of contemporary sociological theory, its social context and relationship to other social theories. They will display mature reflexive awareness and critical judgement in the application of recent theories to a range of contemporary issues.

1. To provide an account of key ideas and arguments in contemporary social and political thought.

2. To show a critical appreciation of the nature and antecedents of current approaches to social and political theories.

3. To compare, contrast and evaluate different perspectives and points of view.

4. To assess the viability of competing theories for explaining social and political questions.

Math	Enw	Disgrifiad	Pwysau
CYFLWYNIAD UNIGOL	Individual or Group Presentation	Presentations take place throughout the term.	5
GWAITH CWRS	Essay		80
CYNLLUN YSGRIFENEDIG	Essay outline, plan and annotated bibliography		10
LLYFR LOG NEU BORTFFOLIO	Weekly excerpt from core readings	Journal entries are to be submitted every week.	5

		Oriau
Private study		178
Seminar	The module is delivered via a weekly two-hour session consisting of a mixture of lecture and seminar elements. The lecture topics are based on presentations of key authors and themes grouped to reflect key developments and controversies in contemporary social and political theory. The seminar elements are designed to cultivate skills in reading theory and communicating theoretical ideas. The formats include close textual interpretation, debate, and discussion of set topics related to the lectures. Seminars will include presentations by students and tasks designed to assist in the preparation of assignments. Regular independent reading of difficult texts and independent study supported by Blackboard is an important aspect of the learning experience. This will be complemented by individual tutorial support for assessment work.	22

• Llythrennedd - Medrusrwydd mewn darllen ac ysgrifennu drwy amrywiaeth o gyfryngau
• Defnyddio cyfrifiaduron - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio ystod o feddalwedd cyfrifiadurol
• Hunanreolaeth - Gallu gweithio mewn ffordd effeithlon, prydlon a threfnus. Gallu edrych ar ganlyniadau tasgau a digwyddiadau, a barnu lefelau o ansawdd a phwysigrwydd
• Archwilio - Gallu ymchwilio ac ystyried dewisiadau eraill
• Adalw gwybodaeth - Gallu mynd at wahanol ac amrywiol ffynonellau gwybodaeth
• Sgiliau Rhyngbersonol - Gallu gofyn cwestiynau, gwrando'n astud ar atebion a'u harchwilio
• Dadansoddi Beirniadol & Datrys Problem - Gallu dadelfennu a dadansoddi problemau neu sefyllfaoedd cymhleth. Gallu canfod atebion i broblemau drwy ddadansoddiadau ac archwilio posibiliadau
• Cyflwyniad - Gallu cyflwyno gwybodaeth ac esboniadau yn glir i gynulleidfa. Trwy gyfryngau ysgrifenedig neu ar lafar yn glir a hyderus.
• Gwaith Tîm - Gallu cydweithio'n adeiladol ag eraill ar dasg gyffredin, ac/neu fod yn rhan o dîm gweithio o ddydd i ddydd
• Dadl - Gallu cyflwyno, trafod a chyfiawnhau barn neu lwybr gweithredu, naill ai gydag unigolyn neu mewn grwˆp ehangach
• Hunanymwybyddiaeth & Ystyried - Bod yn ymwybodol o'ch cryfderau, gwendidau, nodau ac amcanion eich hun. Gallu adolygu ,cloriannu a myfyrio'n rheolaidd ar eich perfformiad eich hun ac eraill.

• 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.
• 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 identify a range of qualitative and quantitative research strategies and methods
• the ability to undertake and present scholarly work
• 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.

Rhagofynion

• SXS-2035: Classical Social Theory

Gorfodol mewn cyrsiau:

• X315: BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Sociology year 3 (BA/CYSS)
• LL13: BA Sociology/Economics year 3 (BA/ECS)
• LL2B: BA Sociology & Economics (4 yr with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (BA/ECS1)
• LQ3J: BA English Lang. & Sociology year 3 (BA/ELSOC)
• LL53: BA Health & Social Care/Sociology year 3 (BA/HSCS)
• LP33: BA Media Studies and Sociology year 3 (BA/MSSOC)
• CL83: BA Sociology/Psychology year 3 (BA/PS)
• L300: BA Sociology year 3 (BA/S)
• L31B: BA Sociology (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (BA/S1)
• LM40: BA Sociology & Criminology & Crim Just with International Ex year 4 (BA/SCJIE)
• LM39: BA Sociology and Criminology & Criminal Justice year 3 (BA/SCR)
• 3L3Q: BA Sociology and English Literature year 3 (BA/SEL)
• L30F: BA Sociology [with Foundation Year] year 3 (BA/SF)
• LV31: BA Sociology/History year 3 (BA/SH)
• 8Y70: BA Sociology (with International Experience) year 4 (BA/SIE)
• LQ31: BA Sociology/Linguistics year 3 (BA/SL)
• LL34: BA Sociology and Social Policy year 3 (BA/SOCSP)
• LVH2: BA Welsh History/Sociology year 3 (BA/WHS)
• LQ35: BA Cymraeg and Sociology year 3 (BA/WS)
• L302: MSocSci Sociology year 3 (MSOCSCI/S)

Opsiynol mewn cyrsiau:

• X317: BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Social Policy year 3 (BA/CYSP)
• V100: BA History year 3 (BA/H)
• V10F: BA History [with Foundation Year] year 3 (BA/HF)
• 8B03: BA History (with International Experience) year 4 (BA/HIE)
• LL54: BA Hlth & Scl Care/Social Policy year 3 (BA/HSCSP)
• V140: BA Modern & Contemporary History year 3 (BA/MCH)
• V130: BA Mediaeval and Early Modern His year 3 (BA/MEMH)
• L41B: BA Social Policy (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (BA/SOCP1)
• L402: BA Social Policy year 3 (BA/SOCPOL)
• L40F: BA Social Policy [with Foundation Year] year 3 (BA/SOCPOLF)
• LL14: BA Social Policy/Economics year 3 (BA/SPEC)
• LL1B: BA Social Policy & Economics (4yr with Incorp Foundation) year 3 (BA/SPEC1)
• LV41: BA Social Policy/History year 3 (BA/SPH)
• CL84: BA Social Policy/Psychology year 3 (BA/SPP)
• CL85: BA Social Policy & Psychology with International Experience year 3 (BA/SPPIE)
• VV12: BA Welsh History/History year 3 (BA/WHH)
• M108: LLB Law with Social Policy (International Experience) year 4 (LLB/LIF)
• M1L4: LLB Law with Social Policy year 3 (LLB/LSP)
• M1LB: LLB Law with Social Policy (4 yr with Incorp Foundation) year 3 (LLB/LSP1)
• V102: MArts History with International Experience year 3 (MARTS/HIE)
• V101: MArts History year 3 (MARTS/HIST)
• L403: MSocSci Social Policy year 3 (MSOCSCI/SP)