Postgraduate Course: Contemporary Social Theory (PGSP11276)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course focuses in on selected key contemporary debates in social theory. It explores alternative perspectives within these debates in a way that is relevant to both empirical researchers and students who are interested in specializing in social theory. |
| Course description |
This course is aimed both at students looking to support their empirical work with a clear understanding of relevant theoretical debates and those with a specialist interest in social theory. The course explores recent attempts at theorising the social world, introducing students to contemporary social theory through an examination of topics central to social inquiry. It is made up of a number of units, each of which looks at a key theoretical debate or dispute. The unit topics are chosen because they relate to dilemmas relevant to a wide range of social scientific inquiries.
Units vary from year to year but may include
- Theories of power and interests
- Theories of materiality, e.g. actor-network theory
- Theories of structure and agency e.g. critical realism and Bourdieu
- Theories of gender and performativity
- Theories of embodiment
- Theoretical debates between realism and constructionism
The course is taught through a combination of lecturer presentations and seminar discussions. The presentations provide a background to, and exposition of, key debates and help support the students with the set reading. The seminar discussions provide a chance for students to explore their understanding of these ideas and also relate critically to them.
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 25 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
One essay between 3,000 and 4,000 words based on topics and readings from the course |
| Feedback |
The aim of the course assessment is to assess the ability of the students to explore a key theoretical debate or issue, as well as their facility in critically engaging with existing arguments in this area. The course is assessed by one long essay, but students are asked to submit an essay plan so that they can be provided with formative feedback. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Develop knowledge of conceptual and theoretical debates current in the social sciences
- Critically explore the limitations of existing theoretical positions
- Think critically about the application of theoretical ideas to social scientific research
- Debate issues using concepts discussed in the course
- Write accurately and critically about contemporary theoretical debates
|
Reading List
Lukes, S. (2005), Power: A Radical View, Second edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Butler, J. (2004), Undoing Gender, London: Routledge
Archer, M. (2003) Structure, Agency and the Internal Conversation, Cambridge: Cambridge UP
S. Williams and G. Bendelow (1998) The Lived Body London: Routledge
C. Shilling (2012) The Body and Social Theory London: Sage
B. S. Turner (2008) The Body and Society: Explorations in Social Theory London: Sage |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Stephen Kemp
Tel: (0131 6)50 3978
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Nicole Develing-Bogdan
Tel: (0131 6)51 5067
Email: |
|
|
University Homepage