Course overview
This course introduces students to the ways that social scientists explain (theorise) the social world. We use a range of contemporary critical social theories to understand and explain current local and global issues (for example, the power of big tech companies and their new form of surveillance capitalism, ongoing effects of patriarchy and gender-based inequalities, taste and consumption and class-inequalities, the changing nature of personal life). The teaching approach uses fieldtrips, interactive activities and aspects of contemporary culture to ground theoretical concepts in everyday life. This course attracts students from different disciplinary backgrounds and builds knowledge, skill development and professional practice.
Course learning outcomes
- Understand social theory, critical reading and analytical writing
- Be able to locate, access and evaluate a range of resources available to support critical research and writing
- Apply social theory to critical discussions relating to society on a local and global scale
- Be able to confidently engage with social theory in the real world
- Demonstrate a critical approach to ethical issues in the context of public discourses about contemporary issues and debates
- Be able to prepare and deliver coherent and logically argued written texts