Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 101551

Coordinator Rachel Sharples Opens in new window

Description Understanding Society introduces first year students to key sociological concepts, methods and theories used for the examination of individuals, social interactions, institutions and structures. Students explore how individual experiences are connected to wider social patterns. Considering questions of power, students will be introduced to various debates concerning structure and agency, and will examine social inequality. With a focus on contemporary social life, the subject provides opportunity for students to consider current social issues and processes of social change. At the conclusion of their studies in this subject students will have been presented with opportunities to develop skills in critical reading and sociological analysis.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Society and Culture, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Equivalent Subjects HUMN 1037 – Introduction to Sociology CULT 1019 - Understanding Society (WSTC)

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate their knowledge of key concepts and interpretive traditions in sociology.
2. Identify relevant sources, and assess approaches to and claims about social processes and institutions.
3. Analyse social processes and institutions from a broad understanding of contemporary society.
4. Demonstrate writing and referencing skills commensurate with university scholarship.
5. Explain key concepts in sociology.
6. Identify key characteristics of the major theoretical frameworks used in sociology.
7. Identify relevant sources, and assess approaches to and claims about social processes and institutions in contemporary society.
8. Apply a sociological understanding of power, social inequality and social change to case study materials.
9. Demonstrate reading, writing and referencing skills commensurate with university scholarship.

Subject Content

The Sociological Perspective
Groups and Social Control
Social Inequality
Social Institution
Social Change
Individual and social identities
Social groups and relationships
Social Institutions
Power, structure and agency