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Title / Sociological Imaginations
Code / SS107
Level / 4
Credit Rating / 20
Prerequisites / None
Type / Extensive over one semester
Aims /
  • To provide students with an introduction to the discipline of sociology, its principal theories, topics and methodology.
  • To introduce students to sociological thinking and analysis.

Learning outcomes / objectives / On successful completion of the module the student will:
1. Understand what sociology is as a discipline, and what comprises its main theories and methods
2. Appreciate the role of sociology in understanding contemporary culture.
3. Apply sociological theories and concepts to contemporary social issues
Content - Indicative / The module has two components. It introduces students to key debates within sociological theory covering methodological and theoretical issues (e.g. structure versus agency, conflict versus consensus). It also introduces students to various topics within sociology reflecting staff research interests (e.g. cosmetic surgery, 'race', the internet).
Teaching and learning strategies / 200 hours study time delivered through 36 hours direct teaching and 164 hours directed private study.
Learning support/ indicative reading list / Short readings for each week’s Key Sociological Debate are provided to students in addition to reading lists for both components of the module.
Indicative short readings:
  • Macionis, J. & Plummer, K. (2005) Sociology: A Global Introduction, 3rd Ed, Pearson: London, p29.
  • Giddens, A. (1999) Runaway World, London, Profile, Introduction.
  • Ritzer, G. (1996) ‘The McDonaldization Thesis: Is expansion inevitable?’ International Sociology 11. pp: 293-296.
  • Entwistle, J. (1998) Sex/Gender in Core sociological dichotomies edited by Chris Jenks. Sage: pp 151-153
  • Dickens, P (2004) Society and Nature. Polity, Cambridge. p. 46-50.
  • O’Byrne, D. (2011) Introducing Sociological Theory, Harlow, Pearson, p185-88.
  • Crompton, R. (2008) Class and Stratification (3rd edn), Cambridge: Polity Press. (pp. 8–16, 49–70, 118–126).
  • Beck, U. & Beck-Gernsheim, E. (2002) Individualization, London: Sage, Chapter 2
Student central is used to provide weekly notes on lectures and seminars.
Students are discouraged from relying on any one textbook, but a range of introductory books are noted in the module handbook.
Suitable journals include Sociological Research Online, Sociology and Sociological Review
Assessment / 1. 1,500 word essay: Assesses learning outcome 1. 40%
2. Examination. Assesses learning outcomes 2 and 3. 60%
Brief description of module and/or aims / This module gives students an opportunity to learn about the main parameters of contemporary sociology and to apply sociological theories and concepts to the contemporary social world.
Area examination boards / SASS Undergraduate
Module team/authors / James Ormrod (Module Coordinator), Neil Curry, Steve Brown, Chris Wyatt, Graham Sharp, Mark Erickson, Jayne Raisborough, Mark Bhatti, Natalie Pitimson, Kanwal Mand
Semester Offered / 1
Site where delivered / Falmer and Hastings
Date first approved / 1998
Date of last revision / 2011
Date of approval of this version / 2012
Version number / 5
Replacement for previous module
Field for which module is acceptable and status in that field
Course(s) for which module is acceptable and status in course / Compulsory:
BA (Hons) Applied Social Science
BA (Hons) Social Science
BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy
BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology
BA (Hons) Applied Psychology and Sociology
BA (Hons) Politics and Sociology
BA (Hons) Media Studies and Sociology
BA (Hons) Sociology and English Literature
BA (Hons) Sociology and Community History
BA (Hons) Education and Sociology
School home / School of Applied Social Science
External Examiner / Dr Ben Pitcher (Oct 2011 to Sept 2015)
Allocation of study hours to activities
10 credits = 100 learning hours / Activity / Study hours / %
SCHEDULED
Lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, supervised time in workshop/ studio, fieldwork, external visits, work-based learning / 36 / 18
GUIDED INDEPENDENT STUDY
Independent study including wider reading/ practice, follow-up work, completion of assessment tasks, revision etc / 164 / 82
PLACEMENT
Learning away from the University that is not a year abroad or work-based learning
Assessment tasks
Type of assessment tasks
Summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for progression (expressed as a %) / Activity / Further details / %
WRITTEN
Written exam / Exam / 40
COURSEWORK
Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project output / 1500 word essay / 60
PRACTICAL
Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment
OTHER
Set exercises assessing application of knowledge, analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills