Unit name | Conceptualising the Social |
---|---|
Unit code | SOCI20016 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Dr. Tsilipakos |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The unit offers an historical overview of the development of post-classical sociological theory such as Functionalism, interactionism and postmodernism, via an exploration of the work of a selection of key sociological theorists such as Talcott Parsons, Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Anthony Giddens, Pierre Bourdieu, Jurgen Habermas, Judith Butler, Ulrich Beck, Manuel Castells. Key concepts developed by these thinkers are explored in relation to the themes of structure and agency, culture/ideology, and sociological understanding.
Aims:
a. exposit and analyse a range of schools and thinkers in modern macro-sociology
b. develop a critical account of developments and debates in social theory
c. show familiarity with the key ideas and concepts of a variety of theorists
d. compare and contrast theories and theorists according to specified themes of analysis
The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities
Essay 1 (25%)
Essay 2 (75%)
Both assessments test all Learning outcomes listed above.