Teaching Responsibility
LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:
LJMU Partner Taught
Learning Methods
Lecture
Workshop
Module Offerings
5501BEASOC-SEP-PAR
Aims
1. To explore the development of sociological theory and how it enables the understanding of current social issues and debates.
2. To compare and contrast theorists’ work to establish an appreciation of the issues and tensions surrounding their theoretical orientation.
3. To develop theoretical literacy so that students can independently identify and critically engage in literature from specific different theoretical traditions in their own written work.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the similarities and differences between two sociological theories.
2.
Independently identify literature within specific theoretical traditions that could help us understand contemporary social issues and debates.
3.
Critically evaluate the work of selected contemporary social theorists highlighting the tensions surrounding their chosen theoretical orientation.
Module Content
Outline Syllabus:• Epistemology/ontology and its impact on sociological knowledge
• The development of positivism and interpretivism within sociological theory
• The role of structure/agency in understanding societies
• Post-structuralism and postmodernism
• Feminist epistemology
Work from a range of different sociological traditions will be selectively utilised to explore each of these themes, namely, Classical Sociology, Marxism, Weberianism, Durkheimianism, Feminism, Ethnomethodology, Constructionism, Interactionism, Post Humanism
Additional Information:The assessment will take the form of an essay followed by a seen examination. The purpose of this is to encourage a greater depth of understanding in students, to establish their critical writings skills and to encourage them to develop confidence in conveying complex ideas in a timed setting.