Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC3122: Critical Theory: The Frankfurt School and Communicative Capitalism

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

Module Aims

The aims of this module are:

  • to introduce you to 20th century Critical Theory and its Freudo-Marxist concepts
  • to practise critical methods and critical reflection
  • to learn about philosophical examination of modern-day social changes and problems
  • to introduce you to 20th century philosophers who have been greatly influential on current philosophical and political thought.

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 comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the theories and texts (readings) for the course
2. Demonstrate deep understanding of the methodological and conceptual problems of critiquing modernity
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Demonstrate critical understanding of the interrelation between epistemology, values, and material social conditions
4. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of a specific current type of philosophical social and political analysis
Personal and Key Skills5. Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse texts with guidance, and thoroughly discuss complex problems
6. Demonstrate the ability to write short, explanatory summaries of complex academic texts
7. Demonstrate the ability to research independently and write a critical philosophical essay on a module theme

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
Discussion in lectures/seminarsPrepare answers to questions on the set readings for the discussion1-5Oral

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
10000

...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
Essay702,500 words1-7Written
2 x Reading Summaries302 x 500 words1-7Oral and written

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
EssayEssay (2,500 words)1-7August/September reassessment period
2 x Reading SummariesReading Summaries (2 x 500 words)1-7August/September reassessment period