Teaching Responsibility
LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:
Humanities and Social Science
Learning Methods
Lecture
Workshop
Module Offerings
5101SOC-SEP-MTP
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.
Have an in-depth knowledge of the similarities and differences between two sociological theories.
2.
Differentiate between specific theoretical traditions and their relevance to contemporary social issues and debates.
3.
Evaluate 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
• 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
Module Overview:
This module explores the development of sociological theory and specifically considers how both classical and contemporary theory enables the understanding of current social issues and debates. Through an exploration of a diverse range of social issues including precarious employment, racism, the role of social solidarity in communities, mental health, surveillance discourses, the impact of technologies on human experiences and many more, you will develop your own theoretical analysis and better appreciate the various issues and tensions within key thinkers work.
This module explores the development of sociological theory and specifically considers how both classical and contemporary theory enables the understanding of current social issues and debates. Through an exploration of a diverse range of social issues including precarious employment, racism, the role of social solidarity in communities, mental health, surveillance discourses, the impact of technologies on human experiences and many more, you will develop your own theoretical analysis and better appreciate the various issues and tensions within key thinkers work.
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.
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.