Module Code - Title:
SO6112
-
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SOCIOLOGICAL THOUGHT
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module introduces students to key issues in Sociology, focusing on debates and perspectives around issues such as class, crime, gender, health, inequality, power and race in contemporary society. Sociological concepts and theories will be applied to the analysis of a range of social phenomena. Principles of intersectionality will provide a lens for understanding multidimensional influences of social locations in people's experiences of privilege and oppression.
Syllabus:
Topics will change according to particular staff expertise, but may include debates on class, inequality and welfare; crime and social control; families and the life course; gender and popular culture; health and illness; race and migration; representation, power and resistance; social theory; and stratification, social exclusion and social inequality.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Analyse issues in contemporary society by applying sociological theories and perspectives.
Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of representation and resistance in establishing or challenging power structures.
Apply intersectionality as a lens for understanding social locations to experiences of privilege and marginalisation.
Evaluate academic and popular debates on social problems.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Understand emotional impact of inquality on individual lives, and the ethical implications of theories of power.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: N/A.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module will be taught through in-class lectures and seminars focusing on contemporary theoretical issues relevent to sociological issues. Seminars will allow students to build upon, express and develop their argumentative and communicative skills
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Susen, S. (2020)
Sociology in the Twenty- First Century: Key Trends, Debates and Challenges.
, Palgrave McMillan
Scott, J. (2012)
Sociological Theory- Contemporary Debates: Second Revised Edition.
, Edward Elgar, Publishing.
Yuval-Davis, N. (2011)
The Politics of Belonging: Intersectional contestations.
, Sage
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MASOCITFA - SOCIOLOGY (APPLIED SOCIAL RESEARCH)
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
lindsey.garratt@ul.ie