Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC1019: Contemporary Society: Themes and Perspectives

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

At a general level, the module aims to inspire a genuine engagement with topical research and scholarship by introducing students to sociological ways of seeing and explaining the modern world, its phenomena and dynamics. In doing so, it aims to instil professional values and ethical standards by helping students develop a critical understanding of various theoretical and/or methodological approaches to sociology and encouraging them to apply these in their observation, analysis and interpretation of contemporary society. 

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 Skills1. demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter of sociology, together with an analytical understanding of the subject, which takes into account different sociological perspectives;
2. demonstrate competence in describing and applying a variety of methods of social investigation, including ethnographic and survey methods, questionnaire and interview design;
Discipline-Specific Skills3. relate a body of knowledge to a specific context within the field of sociology;
4. think clearly and argue logically about contemporary societies;
5. express sociological ideas both in writing and verbally;
Personal and Key Skills6. undertake independent study;
7. select appropriately from a range of suggested material and present key arguments clearly; and
8. demonstrate the capacity to reflect on the perspectives and life situations of social minorities and to question taken for granted majority views.

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.

Castells, M. 1998. The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture, Oxford: Blackwell.
Crompton, R. 1993. Class and Stratification: an introduction to current debates. London: Polity.
Mann, M. 1993. 'National States in Europe and Other Developing Countries', Daedalus, 122 (3): 115-40.
Welsman, J. 2007 Underclass: A History of the Excluded Since 1880, London: Hambledon Continuum
Ritzer, G. 1996. The McDonaldization of Society. London: Sage.
Skeggs, B. 1997 Formations of class and gender: becoming respectable. London: SAGE Publications.

Course materials will be provided on ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/