BSocSc Sociology

Critical Theory / Theories of Social Action / Feminist Theories/ Postmodern Thought/ Decolonial Thought

In this course, you will learn how social theory developed throughout the 20th and 21st centuries amidst rapid social change, political instability and technological advancement. You will learn to critically engage with a spectrum of ideas and different perspectives that will underpin your sociological understanding. Each week we will take an important theory, theorist or body of thought and consider its relationship to key debates in contemporary social thought and its application and implication in the here and now. We will critically engage with the core principles of sociological investigation, constructing a solid theoretical scaffold to support your future study.

Students who have completed the course should be able to write competently about a number of key theorists and issues in contemporary social theory. They should possess an understanding of how theories discussed in sociological thought have been extended, critiqued, and developed. Students should have a solid grasp of some of the key debates that structure contemporary social thought. They should be adequately prepared for engaging with the substantive theoretical content of any sociology courses they pursue later in their degree.

Weekly lectures Weekly tutorials

Understanding of social thought from the 20th and 21st centuries

Ability to apply social thought to contemporary sociological problems

To make arguments using concepts and sociological evidence

100% Exam - 2h

All sociology courses include both formative feedback - which lets you know how you’re getting on and what you could do to improve - and summative feedback - which gives you a mark for your assessed work.

Allan, K. (2012). Contemporary Social and Sociological Theory. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.