SS6087 - Conversations in Sociological Thought (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Conversations in Sociological Thought | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Assessment components |
|
||||||||||||
| Running in 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
This module addresses the decolonial encounter in contemporary sociology. Following an initial revisiting of the foundations of social theory, the module invites you to critically explore sociology ‘beyond the Western Canon’ and its roots in Eurocentrism to develop a decolonised sociological imagination. The aim of the module is to develop an ongoing conversation in contemporary social thought rather than viewing contesting perspectives as an insurmountable challenge. In short, you will explore the perceived limits of Eurocentrism and assess the need to rethink the basis of sociology’s conceptual knowledge and vocabulary.
You will reconsider enduring sociological problems such as ‘alienation’ and ‘anomie’ alongside the work of theorists such as Frantz Fanon and other postcolonial writers; explore the biopolitical disciplining of the social body via a conversation between the ideas of Michel Foucault and Achille Mbembe; assess the continued relevance of Simone de Beauvoir’s feminist theory compared to the critical intersectionality of Patricia Hill Collins.
‘Conversations in Sociological Thought’ will enable you to reassess the value of the Eurocentric traditions of sociology by addressing critical questions at the core of classical and contemporary social thought through a reflexive exploration of intersubjectivity, bodily practice, race, and gender in the contexts of past and contemporary social experience.
Prior learning requirements
Available for Study Abroad? YES
Syllabus
- Revisiting Classical Theory: Marx and Alienation
- Revisiting Classical Theory: Durkheim and Anomie
- Revisiting Classical Theory: Weber and Disenchantment
- Beyond Western Theory: From Orientalism to Decolonising Social Theory
- The Body and Embodiment in Social Theory
- Critical Phenomenology and the Habits of Racism
- Biopolitics: from Foucault to Mbembe
- Theorizing Emotion and Affect Globally
- Against Essentialism: Difference and the Gendered Gaze
- Theorizing the ‘Other’: Representations of Difference and Power
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The teaching and learning strategy for this module is intended to stimulate student interest in exploring the limits of contemporary Eurocentric social theory and to think about the wider social world in terms that go beyond the assumed universalism of sociological concepts. Delivery is through a combination of lectures and seminars addressing key concepts and case studies complemented by workshops that allow students to be actively involved in the learning process and to develop their own learning style. The lecture programme provides the underpinning theoretical foundation in the subject area and thinking skills are developed through paired activities across seminar discussion, formative and summative assessments.
Students are expected to balance formal teaching with self-directed reading and completion of specified formative tasks and one summative assignment. The module will also promote the student’s self-management and a reflective approach to their learning. Teaching and learning are integrated with the assessment and in accordance with the university’s learning and teaching strategy. The module is supported by a comprehensive range of supporting material including core reading lists and supplementary resources available on Weblearn along with lecture recordings and slides.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- LO1: Describe a range of contemporary issues in classical and advanced social theory.
- LO2: Apply a range of criticism to advanced social theory and epistemology – thereby reflecting the ability to think critically.
- LO3: Produce and effectively communicate a detailed analysis of advanced social theory texts.
- LO4: Appraise contrasting social theories and concepts in relation to their application to ‘real world’ situations.
Assessment strategy
Assessment One (15%): In-class debate – prepare an argument to present as part of a group debate on the merits of sociological perspectives discussed on the module. Students will be given indication of the theories/concepts to be debated in advance.
Assessment Two (85%): write a 3,000 word essay comparing and contrasting two theoretical arguments discussed on the module which requires students to critically assess the advantages and disadvantages of the Eurocentric approach to sociology. Students will choose their topic from a list of questions published on Weblearn.