Module manager: Dr Benjamin Hirst
Email: b.hirst@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
| SLSP1200 | Sociology of Modern Societies |
SLSP1200 Sociology of Modern Societies
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module will introduce students to core concepts and theoretical approaches in sociology. Whilst many of us already know a great deal about society because we are an important part of it, in this module students are provided with the perspectives and the concepts needed to develop that understanding into a powerful critical tool.
The module will:
Develop understanding of the main theoretical perspectives relating to the formation and history of societies
Support students to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute to informed debate about the formation of sociology and sociological accounts of societies
Develop skills in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the various theories and perspectives on these issues
Develop skills in sociological thinking and analysis
On completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Understand key approaches within sociology and social theory
2. Identify strengths and limitations of different theoretical approaches
3. Develop confidence in reading sociology and social theory
4. Discuss theories confidently in verbal and written formats
5. Be attentive to the social contexts in which theories are formed
6. Develop skills in applying concepts to understand social life
In this module, we introduce students to a wide range of approaches to understanding the social world developed over the course of sociology’s history. We consider how sociologists conceptualise the world we inhabit, and in doing so, explore the contexts in which theories are formed and the problems they are designed to address. The module focuses on developing the crucial skill of reading sociological texts and students are encouraged to develop a critical perspective, with this skill positioned as a foundational building block in the development of the sociological imagination. The module asks the question ‘how does sociological thinking and the sociological imagination need to be reimagined to deal with the challenges of our age?’
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-line Learning | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Group learning | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Private study hours | 167 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 33 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will receive formative feedback during tutorial discussions and at tutor’s open-door hours.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Coursework | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 6/10/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team