Module SOC1020 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
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.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 27.5 | 122.5 | 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 | 16.5 | 11 x 1.5 hour weekly lecture |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 11 | 11 x 1 hour weekly seminar |
| Guided Independent study | 122.5 | Seminar readings, essay preparation and exam preparation |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
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 assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specified contributions to tutorial work | Weekly | 1-6 | Verbal 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.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 50 | 1 hour | 1-6 | Written feedback |
| Essay | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Written 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 assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination (1 hour) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
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, 2nd edition, London: Routledge
Weeks, J (2003) Sexuality (2nd Edition). London: Routledge
Cockerham, W.C. (2011). Sociology of Mental Disorder, 8th 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, 2nd edition, Oxford: Blackwell
