SC301-6-AU-CO:
Current Disputes in Sociology: Sociological Analysis III

The details
2021/22
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 07 October 2021
Friday 17 December 2021
30
07 October 2021

 

Requisites for this module
SC201
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

This module aims to broaden and deepen your understanding of some of the important themes raised in SC201. The first term will build on some of the key concerns of sociology that you have encountered already and will introduce a range of approaches to understanding our (post)-modern and multicultural world. In the Autumn term we will look at topics such as “Modernity and Colonialism”, “feminist epistemology” and “language and the world”. The second term will look at the work of Foucault, Gilroy and Butler, among others, and will address topics such as “’race’”, “post-colonial theory”, the “Global South”, the “Anthropocene”, “sexual difference” and “animals in sociology”.

Overall, the module introduces some of the theoretical and conceptual concerns and problems which influence all sociological research and thinking.
The module is divided into 4 blocks:

Thinking Modernity and Postmodernity
Thinking Inequality
Thinking Power and its Consequences
Thinking Ahead

Module aims

To give students a critical awareness of a range of current topics in sociological theory.

To provide students with the capability to assess different theoretical perspectives and their relation to sociology.

To enable students to make links between theoretical approaches and sociological research.

Module learning outcomes

Having completed this module, students will gain:

An ability to think abstractly and to assess the validity of a range of different conceptual positions.

A critical awareness of a range of current topics in sociological theory.

Module information

Compulsory for all third year Sociology students

Learning and teaching methods

Teaching approach As there are still restrictions related to COVID-19 in place, some of the teaching on most modules will take place online. Most modules in Sociology are divided into lectures of around 50 minutes and a class of around 50 minutes. Some are taught as a 2hr seminar, and others via a 50-minute lecture and 2-hr lab. For the majority of modules the lecture-type content will be delivered online – either timetabled as a live online session or available on Moodle in the form of pre-recorded videos. You will be expected to watch this material and engage with any suggested activities before your class each week. Most classes labs and seminars will be taught face-to-face (assuming social distancing allows this). Please note that you should be spending up to eight hours per week undertaking your own private study (reading, preparing for classes or assignments, etc.) on each of your modules (e.g. 32 hours in total for four 30-credit modules). The lectures provide an overview of the substantive debates around the topic of the week, while the classes will give you the opportunity to reflect on your learning and actively engage with your peers to develop your understanding further. The weekly classes will take place face-to-face (unless there is a change in the current COVID safety measures). You are strongly encouraged to attend the classes as they provide an opportunity to talk with your class teacher and other students. The classes will be captured and available via Listen Again. However, if you want to gain the most you can from these classes it is very important that you attend and engage. Please note that the recording of classes is at the discretion of the teacher.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Exam  Main exam: 180 minutes during January 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Maitrayee Deka, email: maitrayee.deka@essex.ac.uk.
Prof Michael Halewood, email: m.halewood@essex.ac.uk.
Taught by various members of the Department
Jane Harper, Undergraduate Administrator, Telephone: 01206 873052 E-mail: socugrad@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Dr Aneira Edmunds
School of Law, Politics & Sociology
Senior Lecturer
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 1 hours, 1 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Sociology and Criminology

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