Module Descriptor

2. Module
1. Module Code SO4101 The Sociological Imagination
Title
4. Credit
3. Level 4 20 ECTS 10
Value

5. Delivery Site(s) Chester (MCA)

6. Available to /
None
Restrictions

7. Expected Student Learning Activity

8. Attendance Guidance
and Contact Hours
National overall learning time is 200 hrs, Students are expected to attend all
of which tutor contact comprises 48 timetabled sessions
hours (24 x 2hr interactive lecture
sessions)

9. Module Content
The following list is only indicative and will be annually updated according
to changing requirements.

 The Sociological Imagination

 Karl Marx
 Max Weber
 Émile Durkheim
 Symbolic Interactionism
 Dramaturgical and Ethnomethodological perspectives: Goffman and
Garfinkel
 Feminist perspectives
 Gender and Sexualities
 Race and Ethnicity
 Innovative thinking to understand society: Norbert Elias
 Sociological Imagination to understand inequality: Randall Collins and Pierre
Bourdieu
 Postmodernity and Postmodern Condition
 Michel Foucault and Power

Contemporary relevance of the Sociological Imagination

10. Aims
Rationale: The module is designed to provide an introduction to some of the key
theoretical and methodological perspectives central to Sociology. The analysis of
these perspectives will be related to contemporary times and events and explored
to develop an understanding of the practical utility of “Sociological Imagination” to
approach the study of society. The emphasis throughout will be on how
“Sociological Imagination” provides a critical and analytical tool to interpret social
phenomena and challenge dominant or conventional understanding of them.

Aims:

1. To provide a basic understanding of the perspectives which are central to

contemporary sociology.
2. To facilitate application of these perspectives to the study of the social
structure of contemporary society.
3. To introduce students to the process of sociological research and to the
ideas concerning the formulation of sociological knowledge upon which such
research is built.
4. To develop an understanding of the patterns of structured social inequality,
specifically as these relate to race, class, and gender.
5. To make evident the role of sociological understanding in the development
of ‘critical thinking’.
6. To emphasise the relationship of sociology to substantive social problem
issues facing society today.

11. Methods of Learning and Teaching and Formative Assessment

Primary method of teaching and learning through a formal lecture coupled with an
interactive session. Formative assessment is embedded within group tasks,
question and answer sessions, and group discussion. Individual tutorial sessions
prior to essay submission and exam revision will incorporate a formative
assessment element. Summative assessment by essay and examination.  

13. Assessment and Reassessment

12. Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students
should be able to: [Knowledge,
Understanding and Intellectual Skills]
Components and Weighting
Componenet 1: 2000 word Essay (50-%
of total assessment) addressing learning
outcomes 1-3, 5-7

1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the key Component 2: Two hour Seen

sociological theoretical perspectives Examination (50% of total assessment)
selected. addressing learning outcomes 1-7

2. Identify the principle limitations of Reassessment will be of the failed

competing sociological perspectives. component(s).

3. Provide evidence of an understanding
of how sociological ideas can be used to
analyse contemporary British society.
4. Locate the operation and
consequences of social divisions of
class, race and gender in society.

5. Show evidence of self-learning

through the development of a
‘sociological imagination’ as a
fundamental tool for understanding
society.

[Practical, Subject Specific, Professional

and key Skills]

6. Demonstrate individual written

communication skills.

7. Show evidence of self-learning

through the development of a
‘sociological imagination’ as a
fundamental tool for contributing to
social change.

14. Key References

The following list is indicative only; students will be directed to further ‘lecture
specific’ texts, chapters and articles over the duration of the module.

Abercrombie, N. (2004) Sociology. Polity Press.

Abbott, A. (2004). Methods of Discovery: Heuristics for the Social Sciences. New
York: Norton.

Abbott, P., Wallace, C. and Tyler, M. (2005). An Introduction to Sociology: Feminist

Perspectives, Third Edition, Routledge.

Bauman, Z. and May, T. (1990). Thinking Sociologically. Blackwell Publishing.

Best, S. (2005). Understanding Social Divisions, Sage.

Bilton, T, et al (2002) Introductory Sociology, (4th edition), Basingstoke, Palgrave

MacmillanCuff, Sharrock, and Francis (2006). Perspectives in Sociology, Fifth
Edition, Routledge.

Dillon, M (2010) Introduction to Sociological Theory: Theorists, Concepts, and their

Applicability to the Twenty-First Century, Chichester, Wiley-Blackwell.
Durkheim, E. (1951) [1897]. The Suicide: A Study in Sociology, New York: The
Free Press of Glenco.

Fulcher, J. and Scott, J. (2011) Sociology. Fourth Edition. Oxford University Press.

Giddens, A. (2009). Sociology. (Sixth Edition) Polity.

Marx, K. and Engels, F. (1888). The Communist Manifesto. OUP.

McLellan, D. (2000). Karl Marx: Selected Writings, second edition, Oxford

University Press.

Miles, S. (2001). Social Theory in the Real World. Sage.

Mills, C. W. (1959). The Sociological Imagination. OUP.

Morrison, K (2006) Marx, Durkheim, Weber, second edition, Sage.

Parkin, F. (2002) Max Weber. Revised Edition, Routledge.

Ritzer, G. (2003) The Blackwell companion to Major Classical Social Theorists.

Blackwell Publishing.

Scott, J. and Marshall, G. (2009). A Dictionary of Sociology. Oxford Paperback

Reference, Fourth Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Stones, R. (2008) Key Sociological Thinkers (Second Edition). Palgrave Macmillan

Press.

Sullivan, T. (2004) Sociology: Concepts and Applications in a Diverse World. Sixth

edition, Pearson Education.

Swingewood, A. (2000). A Short History of Sociological Thought. Third Edition.

Palgrave Macmillan. Thompson, K. (2002) Émile Durkheim. Revised Edition,
Routledge.

Weber, M. (1978) [1925]. Economy and Society. University of California Press (first
published 1925).

Worsley, P. (2002) Marx and Marxism. Revised Edition, Routledge.

16. Subject / Programme Assessment

15. Module Leader
Board
Dr Alessandro Pratesi Social Studies and Counselling

17. Approved By 18. Date of Approval

Chair's Action on behalf of Social 29/11/2013
Science Board of Studies