Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC1020: Contemporary Society: Field and Case Studies

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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 Skills1. 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 Skills3. 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 Skills5. 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.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Specified contributions to tutorial workWeekly1-6Verbal feedback

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
50500

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Examination501 hour1-6Written feedback
Essay502,000 words1-6Written feedback

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
ExaminationExamination (1 hour)1-6August/September reassessment period
EssayEssay (2,000 words)1-6August/September reassessment period