Module Information

Module Identifier
GS15120
Module Title
Thinking Sociologically
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Essay  1500 Words  50%
Semester Exam End of module assessment  End of module assessment (to be submitted to Blackboard).  50%
Supplementary Assessment Essay  1500 Words  50%
Supplementary Exam End of module assessment  End of module assessment (to be submitted to Blackboard).  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

​1. Understand what thinking sociologically is, as opposed to common sense thinking, and other disciplinary thinking.

2. Identify the key themes studied in contemporary sociology and understand them through different sociological lenses.

3. Understand the key scholarly skills integral to Sociology.

Brief description

‘Thinking Sociologically’ introduces students to specific and unique ways in which sociologists think about individuals and society; including the disciplinary boundaries between sociology other disciplines, such as, psychology, human geography, criminology etc. Students are also introduced to the relationship between sociology and common sense thinking. The module then examines in detail the key themes in sociology, encouraging students to examine them through sociological lenses. Throughout the module the key scholarly skills integral to sociology will be integrated.

Content

​The module is divided into two parts. In the first half, students will explore what sociological thinking is and it's relationship to common sense and other aligned disciplinary thinking. Here the work of Bauman and May, and C. Wright Mills will be examined, in relation to what 'Thinking Sociologically' and the 'Sociological Imagination' is. The boundaries between Sociological and common sense thinking with aligned disciplines like Psychology, Criminology, Human Geography, Politics etc. will be explored. The second half examines the key themes in Sociology in contemporary society (e.g., social class, gender and sexuality, 'race'/ethnicity, age, disability etc.). These themes will be examined through different sociological lenses, with intersectional feminist theory being woven throughout. Key scholarly skills specific to the discipline of Sociology will be applied in seminars, including, referencing, essay writing, reflective thinking, presentation skills, and thinking critically.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Not explicitly developed in this module, though students may use these skills for their essay.
Communication The module will develop students’ written communication skills through the requirement to complete written assessments. In addition, students will develop their oral communication skills through group discussion and involvement in class exercises.
Improving own Learning and Performance Student attendance and participation in the seminars will help them to enhance a range of learning skills. The module also requires students to participate in group discussions and extensive self-directed study.
Information Technology Students will be required to undertake research for the module using bibliographic search-engines and library catalogues, as well as on-line sources of sociological academic material. They will also utilize standard word-processing packages in the completion of the coursework.
Personal Development and Career planning The module will help students to develop a range of transferable skills including critical thinking, writing, presentation skills, reflective thinking, time management, self-discipline, research planning and team-working in class exercises.
Research skills Students are expected to research and evaluate sociological academic material in preparing for classes and for their assessments.
Subject Specific Skills The module will enable students to develop and practice thinking and writing sociologically.
Team work The classes will include group discussions/exercises which will provide opportunities for students to develop team-working skills and discuss their thoughts with the class.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4