Foundations in Social and Anthropological Theory

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Write clear and well-structured assignments that describe and critically assess theoretical ideas, questions and concepts
• Identify important social theorists and describe the historical context and influences on their writing.
• Use evidence from academic sources and correct citation and referencing to support your argument.
• Read, evaluate, and discuss social theory texts by a range of theorists and commentators.
• Outline accurately their theoretical ideas, questions and concepts.
• Critically assess these ideas, questions and concepts and their application and relevance to issues in the contemporary social world.

The module introduces you to key thinkers and their contributions to social and anthropological theory. Different theories are introduced in their historical context highlighting the particular issues their proponents initially sought to grapple with and explain at the time they were writing. The module follows the chronological development of social theories over the course of 150 years. It begins with the classical theories of Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkheim in the late 19th and early 20th century and traces a course through the modern and postmodern theorists Erving Goffman, Michel Foucault and Edward Said, writing in the mid-20th century, to the contemporary social theory of Stuart Hall, Sylvia Walby and Anthony Giddens. In the process we consider the broad questions these theories address and highlight their relevance across disciplines. We also highlight the relevance of these ideas to the world we inhabit today.

Teaching and learning methods

This module consists of 13 lectures and 9 seminars. Each week focuses on a different theorist. Blended learning involves a weekly lecture, worksheet and seminar to structure students’ reading, assignment preparation and their journey to independent learner.

Assessment strategy

The module is assessed by formative reading worksheets x 9 (12%) and a 1200 word blog assignment (88%).

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External