SC901-7-SP-CO:
Topics in Contemporary Social Theory
2020/21
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Sunday 17 January 2021
Friday 26 March 2021
20
04 March 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MA L30112 Sociological Research Methods,
MA L30012 Sociology,
MSC L31124 Migration Studies,
MA L31812 Sociology and Criminology
This module will engage with a broad range of questions, such as: How did modernity shape the idea of the social? How do contemporary theoretical and empirical developments challenge the modern idea of the social, as well as that of gender, power, bodies and identities? The last part of the course will be oriented around the issue of modern consumer culture and the commodity aesthetic, as well as contemporary challenges to that paradigm, such as postcolonial commodity culture, the culture of copies and an emerging pirate or ‘shanzhai’ modernity.
The first part of the course aims at providing a theoretical background to contextualize as well as think critically about the modern epoch through concepts such as ‘anthropocene’, ‘information society’, ‘biopolitics’, postcolonial theory, and body and materiality. In the second part of the module we will focus on empirical instances, popular cultures and new sexual politics in order to challenge the dominant ways of being modern that has largely remained a western construct.
This module aims to give an overview of some of the most important and significant debates in contemporary social theory, while encouraging students to think analytically about theoretical questions and illustrating ways of doing so.
The last part of the course will be oriented around the issue of modern consumer culture and the commodity aesthetic, as well as contemporary challenges to that paradigm, such as postcolonial commodity culture, the culture of copies and counterfeits and an emerging pirate or ‘shanzhai’ modernity. The module ends with a discussion on the future of social theory. Overall, the module engages with social and economic formations of the moderns and to critically think if we need alternative concepts for a more inclusionary politics in the twenty-first century.
No additional information available.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Group Presentation |
|
10% |
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
90% |
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
Dr Maitrayee Deka, email: maitrayee.deka@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Maitrayee Deka
Michele Hall, Graduate Administrator, Telephone 01206 873051, Email: socpgadm@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
No
Prof Paul Stretesky
The University of Northumbria at Newcastle
Professor of Criminology
Prof Benjamin Bradford
University College London
Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 392 hours, 4 (1%) hours available to students:
388 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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