SC340-6-SP-CO:
The Current Issues in Social Science
2021/22
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 17 January 2022
Friday 25 March 2022
15
08 October 2021
Requisites for this module
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(none)
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This module gives students an opportunity to apply social science to address key issues facing society at the local, national and global level. For example, what is the impact of the war in Yemen or in Syria? What is the impact of Brexit? How does global warming affect us? What are the major challenges in the 21st century?
This module will tackle a different theme each term to better understand how Social Science can be used to understand the big issues.
The aims of the module are:
1. To understand the contemporary theories of how key topics intersect with politics, sociology, psychosocial analytic studies, economics, marketing, business, and language and linguistics
2. To develop student’s ability to critically assess and discuss a variety of issues in different disciplines
3. To understand the effect that a variety of current issues have had on shaping behaviour and institutions
4. To adjudicate between competing theories or arguments, giving credit to perspectives other than their own
5. To improve students’ abilities to write objectively and persuasively
6. To improve general writing skills in a concise fashion 7. To learn how to gather data and analyse it in a concise fashion
8, To learn how to present information orally
9. To learn how to work in large teams
And
10. Engage students in their own employability and development
11. Enable students to develop a thorough understanding of the range of careers and their ability to access and utilize resources effectively
12. Engage students with the purpose of developing employable skills and understanding why these specific skills are essential
13. Develop student’s understanding of the recruitment process and what their ability is to influence this process
14. Develop students’ ability to articulate their personal brand, skills and attributes in a positive, confident and professional manner.
Transferrable skills
1. Identifying, gathering, assessing and organizing evidence
2. Understanding the different disciplines use different approaches to understanding current events; Critically comparing alternative perspectives on current events
3. Working in groups with other students from a range of different disciplines; developing inter-personal skills, people management, and ability to coordinate with others and negotiate
4. Exercising judgement on the relevance and reliability of information
5. Verbal, written and online communication
6. Effective time management and organising tasks to meet deadlines
7. Technical skills in putting together online content
8. Complex problem solving and critical thinking
By the end of the module, students should be able:
1. To develop a detailed knowledge of the main theoretical and empirical concepts in social science
2. To gain an in-depth understanding of how social science applies to the big issues facing our world and the main findings of social science
3. To develop a comprehensive knowledge of developments, issues and debates in social sciences and the sources of information for studying social science from an inter-disciplinary perspective
4. To apply analysis and research to solve and explore common issues in social science
5. To develop skills in teamwork and technical presentations
6. To deliver successful planning and project implementation through strong organisational skills
7. To develop understand how to undertake independent research, to learn important research techniques, writing and critical thinking.
8. To critically engage with social science data, and understand how to gather/access sources of data in social science
Topics: Diversity, Inequality and Injustice
Week 16: Government (Inequality, Injustice and Development)
Week 17: Economics (Economic Inequality)
Week 18: Linguistics (Linguistic Diversity
Week 19: PPS (Diversity of Touch and Human Interactions)
Week 20: Reading Week
Week 21: Linguistics (Decolonising language)
Week 22: Sociology/PPS (Protests and Injustice)
Week 23: Employability
Week 24: Presentations
Week 25: Presentations
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.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Creative Group Assignment |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Blog |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Individual mark for group assignment |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Logbook |
|
10% |
| Coursework |
Final reflective document |
|
30% |
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
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Natasha Lindstaedt, email: nezrow@essex.ac.uk.
Teaching will involve 12 staff members that are outside the host department but are in the faculty.
Natasha Lindstaedt email: nezrow@essex.ac.uk
No
Yes
Yes
Dr Aneira Edmunds
School of Law, Politics & Sociology
Senior Lecturer
Available via Moodle
Of 237 hours, 4 (1.7%) hours available to students:
233 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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