SS4000 - Cultures, Identity and Difference (2024/25)
Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||||||
Module title | Cultures, Identity and Difference | ||||||||||||
Module level | Certificate (04) | ||||||||||||
Credit rating for module | 30 | ||||||||||||
School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||||
Total study hours | 300 | ||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
Assessment components |
|
||||||||||||
Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
|
Module summary
This module examines the changing pattern of households and family life, work and employment, with a particular emphasis on differences in cultures and identities and how these interlink with social divisions. It addresses causes and patterns of inequality, and the opportunities and challenges of living in a super diverse society.
The module includes significant elements of study skills development, orientation to the university and the expectations of the university and course. The study skills element is embedded in the provision of the module.
The module is taught over 30 weeks and is assessed by workbooks and an essay.
Aims of the module
This module aims to:
1. Introduce students to university life and to the expectations of the course and academic life.
2. Identify changing patterns of households, family life, work and employment.
3. Explain differing patterns on inequality and the socio-political perspectives to issues of community, culture, multiculturalism, social exclusion and social cohesion.
4. Develop student skills in retrieving information, academic writing and presenting information to a range of audiences
Prior learning requirements
N/A
Syllabus
- Orientation to the course, the schools and the university
- Definitions of community; differing communities & community cohesion; (LO1)
- Sociological approach to culture, difference and social divisions; living in a multi-cultural society. (LO1. LO2)
- Ideologies and social structures (LO2)
- Social patterns and social changes – family, education, work; ‘race’ & ethnicity, religion, social class, media & crime and control (LO2)
- Skills development (reading, essay writing, report writing, presentation skills, IT skills) (LO3, LO4)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Total learning hours are 300 for the module. The module will be taught by a weekly lecture of one hour duration with one hour seminar and one hour workshop sessions. A student-centred approach will be adopted in teaching and learning on the module, relying on class discussions / activities, reflections and expert inputs from external practitioners wherever possible as well as visits, if possible, to places, institutions and centres within public and Third Sector.
A lecture introducing the topic will be followed by a seminar where the emphasis will be on student empowerment through active participation and group work.
Weekly reading is expected in order to get the most out of the module.
Most sessions will be a combination of:
- lectures or direct teaching
- group work
- visits
- study skills such as paragraph writing, guided reading or referencing tips
- online activity / Interactive learning experiences
- preparation for assignments
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Evaluate differing viewpoints on concepts of community, culture and change. (LO1)
2. Identify the key causes of inequality and evaluate policies and debates on social cohesion, inequality and ‘problem’ communities. (LO2)
3. Write academically and present information in academic conventions. (LO3)
4. Use IT skills to research, study, communicate and work (LO4)
Bibliography
The reading list for this module can be found here:
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/F93EE433-DDEB-CDB1-93CD-F241247E877D.html?lang=en-US