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Module SXS-3030:
Globalisation & Social Change

Module Facts

Run by School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Marta Eichsteller

Overall aims and purpose

This module draws on theories of social structure and social change to account for the diversity of contemporary societies in the context of globalisation. The course will introduce students to key approaches to globalisation in sociology and related disciplines with a focus on critical debates over global society, culture and economics of globalisation.

The module aims:

  1. to examine macro-sociological theories, such as modernity, postmodernity, network society, etc.
  2. to demonstrate the value of the comparative method for explaining the trajectories of social change – within the EU, East-West and North South divisions.
  3. to familiarise students with the analysis and interpretation of social data from a range of national and European sources, including UN, EU and national databases.

Course content

Topics include:

• theories of social change • demographical changes to the modern societies • debating and explaining globalisation • migration • capitalism and globalisation • politics, the state and globalisation • power and inequality in the global economy • globalisation movements • global culture

Assessment Criteria

excellent

Display a thorough, critical understanding of major social theories and their relevance for the interpretation of contemporary societies; use complex comparisons to help explain the trajectories of global social trends; and show sophisticated competence in the analysis of social data from a range of national and international sources.

threshold

Display an adequate understanding of major social theories and their relevance for the interpretation of contemporary societies; use simple comparisons to help explain the trajectories of social trends; and show basic competence in the analysis of social data from a range of national and international sources.

good

Display a good understanding of major social theories and their relevance for the interpretation of contemporary societies; use multi-way comparisons to help explain the trajectories of global social trends; and show reflexive competence in the analysis of social data from a range of national and international sources.

Learning outcomes

  1. Use comparative perspective to analyse a selected topic related to social change and globalisation.

  2. Give a theoretically informed account of the diversity of social structures in contemporary world.

  3. Display competence in the use and interpretation of social and political data from range of national and international sources.

  4. Effectively communicate the above both orally and in writing.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
2,000 Word Essay 45
Exam One Hour s1 50
Your Voice 5

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Lecture

Lecture weekly (weeks 1-12).

 12
Seminar

Seminar weekly (weeks 2-9).

 8
Private study

Self-study, reading and writing.

180

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: