Current Issues in Social Theory SOCIO5073

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes

Short Description

This course examines how social theorists with different epistemological positions have addressed a range of key issues and thereby contributed to a critical understanding of the nature of contemporary societies. In so doing, it aims to develop students' ability to make a reasoned defence of particular theoretical traditions and to use social theory to think critically about themselves, their experiences and their own place in the world.

Timetable

20 contact hours over the course of semester 1. This will normally consist of 2 hours per week and will be a combination of lectures and seminars/worskshops.

Requirements of Entry

Upper second-class or first-class Honours degree in Sociology or a cognate discipline.

Excluded Courses

None, except that this course replaces the previous Current Issues in Social Theory course [NMWS 40 credits].

Co-requisites

None.

Assessment

One essay of no more than 4000 words (excluding the bibliography). The essay must be typed or word processed, double spaced and in font size 12. Two copies of the essay must be submitted. A list of essay questions will be provided in the course guide, although students may also answer a question they have devised themselves on condition that they obtain the prior agreement of the Course Convenor.

Course Aims

The aims of this course are to:

■ examine how social theorists with different epistemological positions have addressed a range of key issues and thereby contributed to a critical understanding of the nature of contemporary societies;

■ develop students' ability to make a reasoned defence of particular theoretical traditions and to use social theory to think critically about themselves, their experiences and their own place in the world.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ describe and compare how social theorists with different epistemological positions have addressed a range of key issues and thereby contributed to a critical understanding of the nature of contemporary societies;

■ draw on evidence from a range of appropriate social theoretical sources and demonstrate an ability to synthesise them;

■ evaluate competing approaches within contemporary social theory to a number of key issues, drawing reasoned conclusions.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components of the course's summative assessment.