SOC10020 Introduction to Sociology

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module serves as an introduction into the foundational theories, methods and perspectives in sociology as a discipline. These include the idea of society and the individual, citizenship, inequality, and plurality. A sociological perspective allows us to understand the intersection of social structure and agency, and to analyze the social forces that surround us. This module will support students as they develop their sociological imaginations, learning to think deeply and critically about the social world. It will root students in the “scientific study of society,” as they learn to interrogate the social world around them.

This module is organized around key themes and areas of sociological study, through which students learn about both the theories and methods of social research. We will begin with the historical origins of sociology as a discipline, its theoretical traditions, and the methodological tools employed by sociologists. We will explore and analyze social organization, institutions, stratification, and inequality. We will learn about how we, as individuals and communities, at once shape and are shaped by the social worlds in which we live.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

- Develop a sociological imagination by acknowledging the intersection between personal biographies and broader historical and structural trends.
- Examine social processes from different perspectives and with a critical eye.
- Gain familiarity with major sociological theories and apply them to the analysis of real-world issues.
- Develop sociological questions and use the methods of sociology to address them.

Indicative Module Content:

This module is organized around key themes and areas of sociological study, through which students learn about both the theories and methods of social research. We will begin with the historical origins of sociology as a discipline, its theoretical traditions, and the methodological tools employed by sociologists. We will explore and analyze social organization, institutions, stratification, and inequality. We will learn about how we, as individuals and communities, at once shape and are shaped by the social worlds in which we live.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Seminar (or Webinar)

4
Specified Learning Activities

15
Autonomous Student Learning

84
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Due to the current Covid-19 health crisis, this module will be held through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online learning. Two short lectures per week will be posted each Sunday; students are required to watch these lectures in advance of our synchronous zoom session lecture, which will be held during our Wednesday class period.

Tutorials will be held via Zoom every other week, on week 2, week 4, week 6 and week 8. If deemed safe for students, tutors, and instructor two in person meetings will also take place on week 3 and week 9; more information on these meetings will be communicated closer to those dates. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students should be willing to engage in discussion in tutorial when provided the opportunity.

Learning Recommendations:

Students who take this module should be willing to read a significant amount as the module will involve a large amount of independent, self-directed learning.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: The mid-term assignment will consist of 5 short answer (1-2 paragraph) questions. Week 6 n/a Graded No

30
Assignment: Student will be asked to respond three out of five questions in 3 pages total (one page per question). Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

50
Seminar: Students are expected to prepare for and actively participate in the tutorials; short quizzes will be posted in advance of the tutorials, which students are expected to complete. Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided on assessed coursework as individual comments published in the virtual learning environment (VLE), in group sessions at lectures/seminars, and/or in person during office hours as appropriate.

Name Role
Ms Deirdre Brophy Tutor