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SOC30330

Academic Year 2025/2026

Currents in Contemporary Theory (SOC30330)

Subject:
Sociology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Sociology
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Sean L'Estrange
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Building on SOC20100, Sociological Theory Level 2, this module provides students with a detailed examination of some of the major currents in contemporary social theory. The module is organised into distinct sections, each focussed on one major current within social theory. Each section examines the organising concepts, ideas and claims of that tradition through the empirical studies generated by, and associated with, the theories in question. For 2021-2022 those sections are: Foucault; Latour and Actor-Network-Theory; Sociology of Nature.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Students successfully completing the module will:
1. Acquire detailed familiarity with major currents in contemporary sociological research and theory;
2. Deepen their understanding of the close ties between theory, research, and substantive empirical enquiry;
3. Learn how to critically assess and evaluate the claims of competing theories, research traditions and rival empirical studies;
4. Sharpen and refine their analytic skills;
5. Enhance their capacity to formulate and present complex ideas in written form;
6. Improve their capacity to assess evidence, argument, and major social theoretical claims.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20

Autonomous Student Learning

125

Total

145


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The course involves conventional lectures, Q&A sessions, in-class group activities (exercises, discussions, readings, comparisons of experiences and findings, wordclouds and surveys using Mentimeter) and online engagement with selected readings and audio-visual resources. Attendance at lectures is expected. Participation in class discussions and group tasks is expected. Regular engagement with online resources (readings, slides, quizzes) is expected.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students will be expected to have completed SOC10010 Foundations in Sociology and SOC20100 Sociological Theory 2 before entry to the module.

Learning Recommendations:

Elective and international students are expected to have completed at least one social theory module before embarking on this course.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
SOC10010 - Theorising Society, SOC20100 - Sociological Theory Level 2

Incompatibles:
SOC30140 - Sociological Theory Level 3


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): End-of-term in person exam with three sections, weighted as follows:
1. Foucault (40%)
2. Latour (35%)
3. Nature (25%)
End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Graded No
100
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
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?

Individual grades and feedback sheets. Group feedback commenting on patterns of grades and quality of work will also be provided in class and on BrightSpace.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 3 Tues 16:00 - 16:50