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MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: UPSNQS-15-3 Title: Globalization, Power and Identity Version: 1

Level: 3 UWE credit rating: 15 ECTS credit rating: 7.5

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities Field: Sociology

Faculty Committee approval: QSC Date: 9/12/09

Approved for Delivery by: ( indicate name of affiliated institution if module will only be delivered by them)

Valid from: January 2010 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: BA/BSc (Hons)

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Entry requirements:

(If the module is offered as CPD or stand alone, indicate the entry requirements)

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module students are expected to demonstrate:

    1. An understanding of the key concepts, debates and paradigms in modern political sociology and the ways in which these have been challenged by the ‘cultural’, ‘global’ and ‘complexity’ turns in sociology (Components A & B).

    2. A knowledge of key debates in contemporary political sociology around the issue of globalization, power and identity (Components A & B).

    3. An ability to apply sociological theories and concepts to a range of contemporary issues in contemporary political sociology including the state, citizenship, identity, social and political movements, violence and terrorism and transnational forms of governance and association (Components A & B).

    4. The ability to critically evaluate competing interpretations of how globalization is transforming modern forms of power and identity (Components A & B).

    5. The ability to engage theoretically with sociological problems and issues and provide theoretical solutions (Component B).

Syllabus outline:

    • Modern Political Sociology and its transformation through the ‘cultural’, global’ and ‘complexity’ turns.

    • The nature and form of social and political power.

    • The development, crisis and transformation of the state.

    • The transformation of modern social and political identities.

    • The development and changing forms of citizenship.

    • Globalization and social and political protest

    • The changing form of political violence and terrorism

    • Global civil society and ‘Cosmocracy’

Teaching and learning methods:

This module will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. There will be one lecture and one seminar per week. Lectures will be used to introduce concepts, ideas and case studies and seminars will be used to discuss further reading related to the topic of the respective lecture.

Reading Strategy:

The key readings for each seminar 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 it recommend that students purchase. In order to facilitate further reading and research the handbook contains details of books, journals and websites relevant to the topics covered by this course. In addition, the module's website has further links to digitized materials, relevant articles, websites and audio-visual resources. All students will be encouraged to make full use of print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic books (e.g. ebooks, ebrary), electronic journals (available through Ebsco, Emerald, Sage databases), multidisciplinary databases (e.g. LexisNexis, FAME) and a variety of resources available through websites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject-relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely.

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.

Bauman, Z. (2000) Liquid Modernity Cambridge: Polity.

Beck, U. (2005) Power in the Global Age Cambridge: Polity

Castells, M. (1997) The Power of Identity Oxford: Blackwell.

Goverde, H. et al. (2000) (eds.) Power in Contemporary Politics: Theories, Practices, Globalizations London: Sage.

Hindess, B. (1996) Discourses of Power: From Hobbes to Foucault Oxford: Blackwell.

Keane, J. (2003) Global Civil Society? Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Lukes, S. (2004) Power: A Radical View Second Edition. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Nash, K. (2000) Contemporary Political Sociology: Globalization, Politics and Power Oxford: Blackwell.

Urry, J. (2000) Sociology Beyond Societies: Mobilities for the Twenty-First Century London: Routledge. Cambridge: Polity.

Urry, J. (2003) Global Complexity Cambridge: Polity.

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B A: 50% B: 50%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A (Controlled conditions)

Description of each element Element weighting

1. 2 Hour Unseen Examination 50%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Essay (2,000 Words) 50%

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

Component A (Controlled conditions)

Description of each element Element weighting

1. 2 Hour Unseen Examination 50%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Essay 2,000 Words 50%

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

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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