SOC4025 - Thinking Sociologically

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1 - Explain the nature and core approaches of sociology as a discipline;
2 - Apply C. Wright Mills’ concept of the ‘sociological imagination’ to the analysis of contemporary social issues;
3 - Demonstrate an understanding of key sociological perspectives and how these inform the ‘sociological imagination’; and,
4 - Communicate sociological ideas clearly and reflectively in assessed work.

Content:

This module introduces students to sociology as a distinctive discipline concerned with understanding the relationship between individuals and society. Centred on C. Wright Mills’ concept of the ‘sociological imagination’, it encourages students to explore how personal experiences and everyday situations are connected to wider historical, cultural, and structural contexts. Through engagement with key classical thinkers and other foundational theories, students will develop the conceptual tools needed to think sociologically.

The module builds analytical and reflective skills that prepare students for further study in sociology and criminology, such as SOC4005 ‘Cities and Communities’.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures
Hours: 15
Intended Group Size: 25 (Full Cohort)

Workshops
Hours: 15
Intended Group Size: 25 (Full Cohort)

Guided independent study
Hours: 120

Further Information Relating to Assessment

Students are required to deliver a 10-minute presentation (asynchronous) supported by a 500-word written commentary. The task asks students to apply C.Wright Mills’ concept of the ‘sociological imagination’ to a contemporary social issue of their choice - for example, social media, education, crime, or another relevant topic.

The presentation should demonstrate the student’s ability to connect individual or ‘personal troubles’ with wider ‘public issues’, showing how personal experiences are shaped by broader social, cultural, political and economic structures. Students must draw on at least one sociological theorists covered on the module to deepend their analysis and strengthen their theoretical framing.

The accompanying 500-word commentary should summarise the main argument and theoretical perspective underpinning the presentation, and reflect on the process of linking ‘personal troubles’ to wider ‘public issues’.

In addition, there will be a formative assessment mid-way through the module which will ask students to submit a presentation plan for feedback.

The assessment evaluates students’ grasp of core sociological ideas, their ability to apply theory to practice, and their capacity to communicate arguments clearly in both written and visual formats. Assessment expectations and essay planning are unpacked in Week 5. This task assesses learning outcomes 1-4.

Further details of assessment are available in the Assessment Handbook for your programme and in Assessment Briefs provided by Module Tutors.

Assessment:

001 10 min asynchronous presentation and 500 word commentary; end of sem 1 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 4
Credit Value - 15
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S1

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