Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC1020: Contemporary Society: Field and Case Studies

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

Module Aims

This module is designed to complement the stage one modules that are concerned with theoretical and/or methodological approaches to sociology. Introducing specialist fields in sociology by connecting them to general developments is intended to further develop a critical understanding of the transformation of modern societies to the present day, with a particular focus on the last three decades.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the specific fields within the sociology of contemporary society that are the subject matter of this module; 2. demonstrate analytical understanding approaching diverse and distinct developments in contemporary society;
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. demonstrate the ability to relate a body of Sociological knowledge to a specific context; 4. think clearly and argue logically about contemporary societies; expressing sociological ideas both orally and in writing;
Personal and Key Skills	5. demonstrate the ability to undertake independent study; and 6. demonstrate the ability to select appropriately from a range of suggested material and to present key arguments clearly.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

This course approaches Contemporary Society by focusing on particular issues and topics including the following:

The family
Community
Sexuality
Madness and psychiatry
Technology
Consumption
Social movements

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
29	121	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	22	11 x 2 hour lectures. The module employs a mixture of methods - the lectures are relatively prescriptive, seminars rather less so
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	5	Fortnightly 1 hour seminars. In seminars, students are encouraged to select the topics that interest them most and to reflect on their personal experiences.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	2	Revision lecture and seminar
Guided Independent study	30	Tutorial readings
Guided Independent study	51	Reading/research for essays and essay writing
Guided Independent study	40	Revisions for exams

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Delanty, G. (2010) Community, 2^nd edition, London: Routledge

Weeks, J (2003) Sexuality (2nd Edition). London: Routledge

Cockerham, W.C. (2011). Sociology of Mental Disorder, 8^th edition, London: Prentice Hall

Haugaard, M. (2002) Power: A Reader, Manchester: Manchester University Press

Sassatelli, R. (2007) Consumer Culture: History, Politics and Theory, London: Sage

Suchman, L. (2007) Human–Machine Reconfigurations: Plans and Situated Actions, revised edn, New York: Cambridge University Press

Martell, L. (2010) The Sociology of Globalisation, Cambridge: Polity

Della Porta, D. and Diani, M. (2006) Social Movements: An Introduction, 2^nd edition, Oxford: Blackwell