Study Abroad Programme

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1 MODULE SPECIFICATION UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES KEY FACTS Module name Module code School Department or equivalent Contemporary Social Theory SG2028 School of Arts and Social Sciences Sociology UK credits 15 ECTS 7.5 Level 5 Delivery location (partnership programmes only) MODULE SUMMARY Module outline and aims This module focuses on the development of social theory in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Around the enduring concern with understanding the possibility of social order, social reproduction, and social transformation, we explore some of the key ideas and theories which have made and remade sociology. We place a number of the most well-known contemporary social theorists in relation to each other and analyse their works by considering the historical contexts in which they emerged. In particular, we aim to approach social theory in terms of key questions posed by the rapidly changing circumstances of the early twenty-first century. In this respect, students will learn about both the enduring relevance and the explanatory limitations of classical social theory in the contemporary world. The module integrates old and new perspectives and concerns, demonstrating the continuing relevance of classical social theory to contemporary forms of social and political analysis. In addition, the module explores the extent to which social theorists of the twenty-first century face a number of unprecedented challenges. The aims of the module are:

2 To introduce students to a range of debates and controversies in late-twentieth and early-twenty-first century social theory. To provide students with a comprehensive introduction to major currents in contemporary social theory. To demonstrate the relevance of these currents to understanding the nature of contemporary sociology. To develop students understanding of the connections between theoretical and empirical concerns in contemporary sociology. To promote students competence in recognising both the theoretical and the practical significance of different forms of social criticism. To familiarise students with the epistemological, methodological, sociological, historical, and political questions posed by postmodern thought. To reflect upon the nature and scope of the normative challenges faced by social theory in the early twenty-first century. Content outline As stated above, this module focuses on the development of social theory in the late twentieth and early twentyfirst centuries. Among the themes considered are the following: early critical theory (esp. Theodor W. Adorno ); late critical theory (esp. Jürgen Habermas); reflexive social theory (Pierre Bourdieu); French pragmatist social theory (Luc Boltanski); spatial social theory (Henri Lefebvre and Doreen Massey); feminist social theory (esp. Judith Butler); poststructuralist social theory (esp. Michel Foucault); postmodernist social theory (esp. J.-François Lyotard, Jean Baudrillard, and Zygmunt Bauman); agency-and-structuration theory (Anthony Giddens); social theories of race and ethnicity (esp. Étienne Balibar, Les Back, David T. Goldberg, Caroline Knowles, John Solomos); and social theories of globalisation (esp. Zygmunt Bauman, Ulrich Beck, Antony Giddens, David Held, and Saskia Sassen). WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE? On successful completion of this module, you will be expected to be able to: Knowledge and understanding: understand the philosophical foundations of contemporary social theory;

3 grasp different analytical approaches to the conceptualisation of modern society; be familiar with significant developments in contemporary social theory; apply critically the main frameworks, models, and concepts used in contemporary social theory; display knowledge of the emergence and development of different intellectual traditions in contemporary social thought. Skills: make use of transferable skills, such as analytical investigation, written and oral presentation, and teamwork; prepare and present different arguments; demonstrate an ability for accurate reading and exposition; make reasoned and reasonable judgements; demonstrate a capacity for independent thinking. Values and attitudes: have a critical understanding and substantive knowledge of social and political processes, and the ways in which they are conceptualised in sociological theory, especially as these processes relate to long-term phenomena, such as the development of ideologies, the emergence of hybrid cultures, and the symbolic and material aspects of globalisation; present controversial arguments (to which you, as a student, do not necessarily subscribe) accurately and fairly; correctly reference the work of other scholars, academics, and researchers; show consideration for the rules and regulations of the University. HOW WILL I LEARN? Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is promoted through a combination of lectures and interactive classes. Learners are encouraged to undertake extensive reading and independent study in order to familiarise themselves with the topics covered in lectures / seminars and thereby broaden and deepen their knowledge of the subject. Students also receive feedback on their course work to encourage them to reflect on what they have produced.

4 Teaching pattern: Teaching component Teaching type Contact hours (scheduled) Self-directed study hours (independent) Placement hours Total student learning hours Lectures Lecture Seminars Seminar Totals WHAT TYPES OF ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK CAN I EXPECT? Assessments 2000 word essay (100% of module mark) This module will be assessed on the basis of one piece of written course work. Assessment pattern: Assessment component Assessment type Weighting Minimum qualifying mark Pass/Fail? Essay Coursework N/A Assessment criteria Assessment Criteria are descriptions of the skills, knowledge or attributes students need to demonstrate in order to complete an assessment successfully and Grade-Related Criteria are descriptions of the skills, knowledge or attributes students need to demonstrate to achieve a certain grade or mark in an assessment. Assessment Criteria and Grade-Related Criteria for module assessments will be made available to students prior to an assessment taking place. More information will be available from the module leader. Feedback on assessment

5 Following an assessment, students will be given their marks and feedback in line with the Assessment Regulations and Policy. More information on the timing and type of feedback that will be provided for each assessment will be available from the module leader. Assessment Regulations The Pass mark for the module is 40%. Any minimum qualifying marks for specific assessments are listed in the table above. The weighting of the different components can also be found above. The Programme Specification contains information on what happens if you fail an assessment component or the module. INDICATIVE READING LIST Essential Reading: Baert, Patrick and Filipe Carreira da Silva (2010 [1998]) Social Theory in the Twentieth Century and Beyond, 2nd Edition, Cambridge: Polity Press. Calhoun, Craig, Joseph Gerteis, James Moody, Steven Pfaff and Indermohan Virk (eds.) (2007 [2002]) Contemporary Sociological Theory, 2nd Edition, Oxford: Blackwell. Craib, Ian (1992 [1984]) Modern Social Theory: From Parsons to Habermas, 2nd Edition, London: Harvester Wheatsheaf. Ritzer, George (ed.) (2008 [1988]) Sociological Theory, 7th Edition, Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Ritzer, George and Barry Smart (eds.) (2001) Handbook of Social Theory, London: Sage. Turner, Bryan S. (ed.) (2000 [1996]) The Blackwell Companion to Social Theory, 2nd Edition, Oxford: Blackwell. Recommended Reading: Benton, Ted and Ian Craib (2001) Philosophy of Social Science: The Philosophical Foundations of Social Thought, Basingstoke: Palgrave. Giddens, Anthony and Jonathan Turner (eds.) (1987) Social Theory Today, Stanford: Stanford University Press. Lemert, Charles (ed.) (2004 [1999]) Social Theory: The Multicultural and Classic Readings, 3rd Edition, Boulder, Colo.: Westview. Seidman, Steven (2004 [1994]) Contested Knowledge: Social Theory Today, 3rd Edition, Malden, MA: Blackwell. Susen, Simon (2007) The Foundations of the Social: Between Critical Theory and Reflexive Sociology, Oxford: Bardwell Press. Turner, Bryan S. (ed.) (2006) The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Woodiwiss, Anthony (2005) Scoping the Social: An Introduction to the Practice of Social Theory, Maidenhead: Open University Press.

6 Version: 3.0 Version date: June 2015 For the use from: 2015/6 Appendix: see for the full list of JACS codes and descriptions CODES HESA Code Description Price Group 29 Social Studies D JACS Code Description Percentage (%) L300 The systematic study of human social institutions and social relationships. 100