Course Details in 2024/25 Session

Module Title	LI Modern Sociological Theory
School	School of Social Policy
Department	Soc Policy, Sociology & Crimin
Module Code	08 30177
Module Lead	Justin Cruickshank
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-20 hours Guided independent study-160 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module introduces the central ideas of key thinkers in the sociological tradition, as they sought to understand the development of modern industrial societies from the nineteenth century to the 1970s. The module opens with a detailed survey of the three 'founding' thinkers of modern sociology - Marx, Durkheim and Weber, as well as an introduction to those who introduced micro-sociological approaches to the study of everyday life (eg Simmel). Later, competing interpretations of the character of modern societies are then examined, ranging from the functionalist society of Talcott Parsons to the more pessimistic analysis of the Frankfurt School of critical theorists. The subsequent turning of modern sociological theory against itself, and the emergence of postmodernism, are the starting point for the Level H core module, Contemporary Social Theory.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to:Identify, compare and critically assess the theoretical approach, substantive analyses and implications of the work of key sociological theorists in this period.
Assessment	30177-01 : Essay : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	3500 word essay for both main and reassessment (100%)
Other
Reading List