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SOC30710

Academic Year 2024/2025

Historical Sociology (SOC30710)

Subject:
Sociology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Sociology
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Professor Sinisa Malesevic
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Historical sociologists study how social orders change over long periods of time. The focus is on the variety of social processes that have shaped human experience throughout history. In contrast to the conventional historical interpretations that aim to describe specific historical events (i.e. 1789 French Revolution or the origins of First World War, 1914-1918) historical sociologists aim to identify and explain general patterns of social action through time (i.e. Why, when, and how revolutions or wars happen?). This module will introduce students to the key themes in historical sociology including the origins and expansion of the state, the transformation of organised violence, the rise and fall of empires, the dynamics of revolutions, wars, nationalism, ideology, genocide, and terrorism. The intention is to review the leading theoretical approaches and key concepts in the field in a way that illustrates theory with the concrete empirical examples and historical case studies.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module the students will be able to demonstrate detail understanding of the main approaches and central debates in historical sociology. They will be familiar with the key sociological concepts such as the state, empire, organised violence, revolution, ideology, nationalism, genocide, and terrorism.

Indicative Module Content:

1. What is Historical Sociology?
2. From Nomadic to Sedentary World
3. Empires
4. Nation-States
5. The State Formation and Warfare
6. Revolutions and Civil Wars
7. Genocides and Terrorism
8. Nationalisms: The Social Origins and Historical Transformation
9. Nation-States and Nationalisms: 19th and 20st Centuries
10. Historical Sociology and Contemporary Social Change

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

250
Total

250

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module consists of a lecture and a seminar. The lecture introduces the students to the key issues, theories, and approaches on a specific topic from historical sociology. The seminar involves work in small groups where students reflect on the question from the weekly topic.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
SOC30370 - Historical Sociology


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): One mid-term essay (2500 words)
 Week 5 Graded No
40
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): final essay (2500 words) Week 12 Graded No
40
 Yes
Portfolio: A portfolio consisting of 10 very short weekly assignments. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10 Graded No
20
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided online together with the grades for the mid term essay. Other feedback will be offered individually during the office hours.

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 Wed 12:00 - 13:50
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