University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Template revised October 2005)

Code: UPSNLF-30-1 Title: Sociological Foundations Version: 2

Level: 1 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities Field: Sociology

Valid from: 1 September 2008 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: Awards to BA/BSc Honours

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module students are expected to demonstrate:

1. an understanding of key concepts and theoretical approaches in the classical sociological tradition (Components A & B);

2. the capacity to identify the key substantive aspects of modernity addressed by the key thinkers encountered in the module eg social differentiation and inequality in modern capitalist societies (Component A);

3. an understanding of the relationship between sociological argument and evidence (Components A & B);

4. the ability to articulate the distinctive character of sociology in relation to other forms of understanding such as its relationship to other disciplines and lay explanations (Component B);

5. the capacity to identify:

    a. the limitations and shortcomings of the work of classical sociologists; and

    b. the responses to these within the discipline (Components A & B)

These LOs are designed to be congruent with the learner development segment of Graduate Development Programme

Syllabus outline:

The syllabus is set out in two parts

PART A: THE EMERGENCE OF MODERN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES

This part of the syllabus is organised around key aspects of the work of three major theorists: additionally, the methodological issues associated with the work of each will be explored.

    1. The sociology of Marx: Capitalism and feudal society. Capitalist modernity - the mode of production. Classes and class relationships. Exploitation and class conflict. The role of the state. Ideology. Alienation, revolution and communism. Marx’s view of the person. Alienated labour. Socialism and de-alienation. Marx’s impact on communist states. The nature of the ruling class. The state in capitalist society. Ideology

    2. The sociology of Weber: The origins and development of capitalist society. The Protestant ethic. Rationalisation and bureaucracy. Possibility of socialism. Weber's sociology of power. Class, status and party. Social closure. The action frame of reference.

3. The sociology of Durkheim: The changing nature of social order. The division of labour. Law, punishment and the collective conscience. Individuality and difference. Anomic division of labour, forced division of labour. Sociological method. Social facts. Suicide. Exernality and moral constraint. The development of functionalism. Functional and historical explanation. Religion.

PART B: ‘THE CLASSICAL CANON’: 20TH CENTURY CHALLENGES

    1. The empirical turn – the Chicago School and symbolic interactionism; Harvard’s response – Talcott Parsons and structural-functionalism; European developments – the critical theory of the Frankfurt School

    2. Challenges to the discipline – responses to civil, gay and disability rights movements; an introduction to second wave feminism

    3. Methodological legacies: methods of investigation in the twentieth century; conventional approaches, qualitative and quantitative; responding to challenges – an overview of feminist methodologies and a brief introduction to queer theory

Teaching and learning methods:

These are designed to meet a range of learning strategies;

    1. Group tutorials are central to learning, teaching and assessment in this module: these will include problem-based learning (PBL) groups as subsets; also

    2. workshops, designed to facilitate the practical application of sociological principles and precepts, including field-based tasks, rôle-play and simulations, inter alia; and

    3. directed tasks, including those based on reading in preparation for seminars;

    4. Iectures are essential for giving an overview of syllabus topics, as necessary:

    5. learning logs or journals, though optional, will be encouraged as part of the portfolio-based assessment strategy; finally

    6. e-learning resources as appropriate, including the use of UWEonline

These approaches are designed to be congruent with the student experience and personal development segments of the Graduate Development Programme

Reading Strategy:

In order to maximize access to relevant resources and to protect and maintain library resources this module has a reading strategy. There are two texts recommended for purchase. Additionally, key readings for each session will be provided in either the form of a reading pack, a web-link to a relevant resource from the module's website on UWE-Online or chapter in a book that recommended for purchase. In order to facilitate further reading and research any handbook will contains details of books, journals and websites relevant to the topics covered. In addition, the module's online conference will have further links to relevant articles, websites, and audio-visual relevant articles, websites, and audio-visual resources

Indicative Reading List:

The following list is offered to provide validation panels/accrediting bodies with an indication of the type and level of information students may be expected to consult. As such, its currency may wane during the life span of the module specification. However, as indicated above, CURRENT advice on readings will be available via other more frequently updated mechanisms.

Abbott, A (1999) Department and Discipline: Chicago sociology at one hundred, Chicago, University of Chicago Press

Allan, K (2005) Explorations in Classical Sociological Theory: seeing the social world. London, Sage

Bryman, A (2004) (2nd ed) Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Craib, I (1992) (2nd ed) Modern Social Theory, Harlow: Pearson Education

How, A (2003) Critical Theory, Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan

Marshall, B L (1994) Engendering Modernity: feminism, social theory and social change. Cambridge, Polity Press

Morrison, K (2006) (2nd ed) Marx, Durkheim, Weber: foundations of modern social thought. London: Sage

Outlaw, L T (2005) Critical Social Theory in the Interests of Black Folks. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc

Ramazanoglu, C (2002) Feminist Methodology: challenges and choices. London: Sage.

Tucker, K (2001) Classical Social Theory: a contemporary approach. Oxford: Blackwell

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B A: 30%

B: 70%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A (Controlled conditions) 30%

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Seen examination 30%

Component B 70%

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Learning Log 35%

2. Critical reflection, 1750 words 35%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is/is not required)

Component A (Controlled conditions) 30%

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Seen examination 30%

Component B 70%

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Resubmitted log 35%

2. Learning report 35%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.

Specification confirmed by ………Approved at VARC meeting………Date ……18.06.07………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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