Social Theory

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Critically evaluate the contributions made by selected social theories to our understanding of social life
• Deal more effectively with abstract concepts and theoretical debates.
• Write and develop theoretical arguments and positions.
• Analyse arguments and make judgements about their theoretical consistency.
• Develop understanding of the theoretical frameworks that inform work in the social science disciplines (Sociology and Anthropology, but also Criminology)
• Analyse the contributions made by these approaches to debates concerning the nature of social worlds and the social and cultural phenomena that occur in them.
• Identify and outline the principal theoretical approaches and key theoretical concepts used in the social theoretical examination of social life.

Block 1 Introduction and Macro Social Theories (functionalism, Parsons).

Block 2: Micro- social analysis and its problems (Social constructionism & Symbolic Interactionism,; Weber, Mead; Becker; Cooley & Goffman)

Block 3: Social Theory & Methodology (Schutz, Geertz, Garfinkle)

Block 4: Applied Social Theory. We will examine in detail a series of theories to explain current social phenomena and how theoretical arguments inform research within the sub-fields of criminology,

anthropology, psychological studies, and sociology. (Topics: Body, Power, Communication, Gender, Speciesism, Consumption/AI).

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures

• Seminar work (discussion & feedback group)
• Writing surgery

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

May, Y & Powell, J (2008). Situating Social Theory. Buckingham: OU Press.

Crow, G (2005). The Art of Sociological Argument. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

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