Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
SP20112 Theoretical issues I: structure & agency |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Intermediate |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: ES 70%, PR 30% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims:
1. Provide students with a good grounding in the key current debates in social theory about structure and agency. 2. To draw out the distinguishing features of the role of structure and agency in contemporary society. 3. Encourage students to reflect critically on the key issues and the interrelationships within the two main approaches. 4. Give students an understanding of how these themes emerge from classical sociology. Learning Outcomes: As a result of this unit students will be better able to: 1. Distinguish the key approaches that inform the structure/agency debates in recent sociology. 2. Identify how structure and agency inform methodological debates in current sociology. 3. Recognise the pitfalls and possibilities of using either approach to situate their own analysis. 4. In the construction of their own research procedures, be aware of the possibilities that structure and agency approaches offer. Skills: * To think creatively and analytically; * To communicate an argument; * To evaluate others' arguments and research; * To learn independently and be able to assess own learning needs (i.e. identify strengths and improve weaknesses in methods of learning and studying); * 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 select appropriate and relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge; * To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding; * To utilise problem solving skills; * To analyse and evaluate innovative practices in students' relevant degree discipline; * To effectively and efficiently apply principles of sociological/social policy analysis within a variety of environments; * To develop study & learning skills (note taking, avoiding plagiarism, using the library, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing); * To develop basic information and computing technology skills (word processing, email, using the web to search for information); * To develop inter-personal and communication skills; * To develop essay research, preparation and writing skills; * To be able to construct a bibliography of varying complexity; * To develop time-management and administrative skills; * To develop presentation skills and verbal communication (i.e. oral presentations, seminar and tutorial contributions); * To develop team and group working skills; * To reflect upon his/her own academic and professional performance and take responsibility for personal and professional learning and development; * To solve problems in a variety of situations; * To manage time effectively and respond to changing demands; * To prioritise workloads, and utilise long- and short-term planning skills. Content: The unit will consider: * Structural functionalism; * Symbolic interactionism; * Structuration theory; * Critical social theory; * Work of Foucault and Bourdieu. |