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SP10044: Introductory sociology B - 'thinkers, theories and perspectives'

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 2
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 100%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take SP10043
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
The aims of the unit are to:
i. help students appreciate and identify the distinctions and relationships between the conceptualisation of societies and their problems by classical sociologists (such as Marx, Weber and Durkheim) and modern sociology (e.g. by Parsons, Goffman and Habermas);
ii. introduce students to some of the key concepts and theories shaping contemporary sociological analysis
iii. introduce the relationships between sociological thinking and its applications to specific contemporary social issues.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit the students will be better equipped to:
* Identify and describe key classical, modern and contemporary sociological theories and concepts
* Identify and describe key differences between their various conceptions of society and its problems
* Reflect critically upon the use and limitations of sociological concepts and theories
* Apply sociological concepts and theories to contemporary social issues and problems.

Skills:
Intellectual Skills
* Knowledge of key ways in which theorists have attempted to understand 'society' (as body, as machine, as competing interests, as symbolic codes)
* Knowledge of the fundamental concepts of sociology
* Knowledge of the theoretical basis of sociological perspectives
* Knowledge of historical and contemporary perspective of sociology
* Knowledge of the relationship between sociology and other cognate disciplines
* Knowledge of social processes (e.g. poverty, crime, unemployment, health)
* Knowledge of key debates around identity formation
Transferable/Key Skills
* To think creatively and analytically.
* To communicate an argument.
* To evaluate others' arguments and research.
* To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information.
* To gather information, data, research and literature from a number of different sources (i.e. library, web-based, archives etc.).
* To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding.
* Revision and Examination skills
* Understanding of how to apply knowledge and concepts from across various social sciences disciplines
* Study and Learning skills (note taking, avoiding plagiarism, using the library, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing)

Content:
Teaching and learning are divided into two related stages. The first overviews types of classical and modern sociological theory of the nature of society and its typical social relations, institutions and actions. Theories of society as variously: Body, Machine, Competing Interests Symbolic Codes, Anti-Society The second part relates key aspects of these conceptions to contemporary social problems: Crime; Health, Illness and Environment; Poverty and Wealth; Race, Gender and Identity; The Future of Society.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

SP10044 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB15 : BSc (hons) Social Work and Applied Social Studies (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc (hons) Sociology (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc (hons) Sociology (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc (hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc (hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1

SP10044 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB14 : BSc (hons) Applied Social Studies (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc (hons) Social Policy (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc (hons) Social Policy (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc (hons) Social Sciences (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc (hons) Social Sciences (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1

SP10044 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB13 : BA (hons) French and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB12 : BA (hons) German and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA (hons) Italian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB14 : BA (hons) Italian and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB15 : BA (hons) Russian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB17 : BA (hons) Spanish and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc (hons) Politics with Economics (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc (hons) Politics with Economics (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc (hons) Politics with Economics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AAB29 : BSc (hons) Politics with International Relations (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AFB29 : BSc (hons) Politics with International Relations (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AKB29 : BSc (hons) Politics with International Relations (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
Department of Psychology
  • UHPS-AKB03 : BSc (hons) Psychology (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.