College of Business, Law and Social Sciences

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THINKING SOCIOLOGICALLY
Module code: 4SL504

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Module Handbook 2023-24

Module Leader: Helen Brocklehurst

h.brocklehurst@derby.ac.uk
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This module serves as an introduction to the ways in which sociological theory has
approached the task of analyzing and explaining modern societies by looking at both the
academic and the popular and unconscious use of sociological ideas and examining the
ways in which this can tell us something about the meaning, assumptions, development and
real-world effects of the concepts – both in their professional setting and in their public
(mis)use. The extent to which common sense is sociological – and the extent to which
sociology is in the business of critiquing common sense – is at the heart of this endeavour as
we discover the way in which sociological theories have come both to analyze society and
constitute it.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Discuss basic concepts of sociological theory

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 • Apply basic concepts of sociological theory to social and cultural phenomena

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

This module provides an introduction to sociological thought and ‘Thinking Sociologically’:

Core Concepts - A brief history of society and sociology. Self, society, and the sociological
imagination. Social Organisation. Individual and group identities family, community,
nation - state, and the global economy. Social Categories and Inequalities: Structure,
Agency, Individualisation. Class. Consumption. From zero-hours contracts to Instagram
influencers. Beyond binaries: Social construction of gender. Borders and belonging: race,
ethnicity, and citizenship in an age of migration. Masculinity. Disability. Social institutions
and change in the 21st Century: Politics reimagined: populism and political violence in the
internet era. Is God back?: Desecularisation, fundamentalism, spirituality and belief. School’s
out? Education, technology, and the changing nature of work. Critical Thinking. The
impact of Covid. Greening Sociology? Global and Postcolonial Perspectives. Othering

KEY LINKS TO OTHER MODULES: throughout this module we will keep an eye on useful
examples of research and methodology - which you will be studying this term. We will also
note if subjects are mediated or filtered in particular ways - and revisit some topics in Media,
Culture and Class next term. Many topics covered will bridge to these in later modules in
your second and third year.

MODULE LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS

Scheduled learning and teaching activities: 20%

Guided independent study: 80%

LECTURE TIMETABLE AND TOPICS

The lecture and discussion seminar is held during the Autumn semester on Tuesday
between 9am-12pm in FG204.

Each lecture will focus on a key topic area and cover interrelated concepts. Ideas and
thinkers that are relevant to your essays will be highlighted to help give you examples
in real life and see how concepts can be applied –(ie individualisation and covid lockdown
advice)
Two sessions will be based on furthering your skills for the essay - your critical researching
and reading skills – and an essay workshop where we look at best practice and extracts of
sample essays in detail.

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 There are also 3 discussion topics available to contribute to online and in discussions after
the lecture– ‘colorism’ , AI, and our views on ‘society’. See blackboard for stimulus material.

1. Introductions to Sociology and the module

Pt 1 A short overview of Sociological thinking. Pt 2 The example of Disability
(essay topic) - and the emergence of a 'social' model.

2. Social Class and Consumers. What's not to Buy?

inequalities. Influence. Status. Economy and Capitalism. Globalisation.
Consumption (Essay Topic)
3. Introducing Gender and Sexuality
Part 1 Overview. Beyond male/female? Gender norms, gender transgressions
(essay topic). Part 2: Critical thinking. Feminism. Links back to disability (Essay
topic)
4. Race and Ethnicity.
The Work of Du Bois (essay topic)
5. Politics Reimagined? Populism, Power and Protest. Nations vs Globe.
Sociological ideas: Structure. Agency. Inequality, Race. Identity. Othering.
(essay topics)
6. National Health?. What did Sociologists tell us about the impact of Covid?
Sociological ideas: Structure. Agency. Individualisation. Inequality (Essay
Questions)
7. Digital Literacy and Reading Critically - content tbc
Recap on Sociological Terms. Thinking Critically. (Essay Questions)
8. Religion and Belief
Organised religion. Secularism. Spirituality Individualism. Identity ..the witch is
back.
9. 'Sociology' and the Environment: How green have we been?
Sociology and the Climate Crisis. (Essay topic)
10. Essay Writing Workshop and Sample essays
11. Real World Work: Making a difference with Sociological Thinking
Also - examples from our recent graduates. Agency. Bureacracy. Automation.
Precarity. Flexibility. AI?
12. Revision and Class Choice - co created session
Revision of any topics
13. Week 13 Conclusions ‘Thinking sociologically. Essay advice

READING: all essential weekly items will be indicated on course resources. Further guidance
to follow (there is much choice and we can decide on weekly realistic goals). I wikl find out
what resources you may have.
WEEKLY READINGS FOR CLASS WILL ALWAYS BE INDICATED ON BLACKBOARD.

See draft SEPARATE READING LIST ORGANISED INTO ESSAY THEMES FOR A LARGE
CHOICE OF TEXTS TO SELECT FROM.

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 MODULE ASSESSMENT METHOD
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Summative assessment
 One essay of 3,000 words (100%) which assesses your ability to apply basic
concepts of sociological theory to social and cultural phenomena

Assessment deadline
The deadline for electronic submission of the essay is 11:59am on January 19, 2024.

ESSAY QUESTIONS

Please choose one question.

1 How do ideas of ‘structure’ and ‘agency’ enable us to understand the degree of

freedom people enjoy in our society?

2 How does the concept of ‘the other’ illustrate the ways in which we construct our
sense of individual and collective selfhood?

3 Choosing either homosexuality, transsexuality of intersexuality, discuss the ways in

which homosexual, transsexual or intersex people challenge conventional social
and cultural norms regarding sex, gender and sexuality and reflect on the
challenges facing individuals who deviate from these norms.

4 What are the key features of bureaucracy and what are the advantages and
problems of this form of organisation?

5 How does the ‘individualization’ of social class affect the experience of social
inequality?

6 Why is consumption of sociological significance?

7 Examine how experiences of disability are shaped by societal understandings of

masculinity?

8 How can sociology contribute to the understanding of the climate crisis?

9 Critically discuss Du Bois’ contribution to sociology.

Marking Criteria

Marks will always be awarded for good, clear communication, evidence of your own thinking
and familiarity with those aspects of the course which you have chosen to write about.

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  Evidence of engagement with the course and of reading set texts and other
articles/materials – this is also evidenced through your accurate use of central
concepts and sociological terms where relevant.

 Familiarity with key thinkers and authors of texts as evidenced by citations within the text
of the essay, and the link to their key ideas where appropriate . In addition to a
bibliographic set of references at the end of the essay.

 A clear argument which demonstrates your interpretation of ideas and of evidence,

rather than just a description of what you have read. Avoid long, descriptive sections
which merely précis texts and do not link back to the question.

 Evidence of clear structure and organisation - as demonstrated in the development of

points, each expressed in its own paragraph, and integrated into a coherent whole. An
introduction and a conclusion to the essay should be used.

 Evidence of planning and editing and checking. Marks will be lost for poor spelling and
poor sentence construction.

It is preferable that essays use font-size 11 or 12 and 1½ line spacing. Please ensure that
each page is numbered.

Please note that assignments that are lower than the required word count may achieve a
lower mark as not enough relevant points can be made.

If you are experiencing difficulties that impact on your ability to attend lectures or complete
your coursework please discuss this with your seminar leader, personal tutor or the module
leader before the coursework deadline.
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Assignment draft policy

If you wish to submit a draft or plan of your essay, I will provide brief comments on one plan
or part of an essay draft during the workshop session noting

* Whether the essay broadly answers the question

* Any major omissions or errors
* Any major structural problems
* Any major writing or referencing problems

Lecturers will not proofread your essay or predict your grade! But we will try to help with all
queries big or small.

External Examiner
The External Examiner for Sociology is Sheila Quaid. Under no circumstances should
students make contact with the External Examiner directly

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 APPENDIX :

Fit to Submit Essay Checklist

□ Have you kept to the word count? You will lose marks if you do not. 10% under or over
the word count is usually OK. If you are not sure, check with your tutor.

□ Have you read and understood the assessment criteria?

□ Have you met the learning outcomes? You will lose marks and your work may even be
failed if you have not.

□ Have you demonstrated that you can write critically? Show you have supported your
arguments using academic literature; you have presented ideas and information which
challenges thinking, and you have offered discussion points which extends your own
or others’ viewpoints.

□ Have you maintained an academic tone throughout your work? Have you tried to avoid
using the same words over and over again?

□ Have you checked that the referencing/bibliography in your assignment is in line with
your course requirements?

□ Have you proof-read your work and used spellcheck software to check your spelling
and grammar? Have you made sure your font size, colour, style, line spacing and
margins are appropriate to the work as specified by your tutor?

□ Can you confirm that the work submitted is your own and not plagiarised?

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 APPENDIX 3:

Marking Criteria
Excellent First
70-100%
Outstanding; high to very high standard; a high level of critical
analysis and evaluation, incisive original thinking; commendable
originality; exceptionally well researched; high quality presentation;
exceptional clarity of ideas; excellent coherence and logic. Trivial or
very minor errors.
Very good Second Div
60-69%
A very good standard; a very good level of critical analysis and 1
evaluation; significant originality; well researched; a very good
standard of presentation; pleasing clarity of ideas; thoughtful and
effective presentation; very good sense of coherence and logic;
minor errors only.
Good Second Div
50-59%
A good standard; a fairly good level of critical analysis and 2
evaluation; some evidence of original thinking or originality; quite
well researched; a good standard of presentation; ideas generally
clear and coherent, some evidence of misunderstandings; some
deficiencies in presentation.
Satisfactory Third
40-49%
A sound standard of work; a fair level of critical analysis and
evaluation; little evidence of original thinking or originality;
adequately researched; a sound standard of presentation; ideas
fairly clear and coherent, some significant misunderstandings and
errors; some weakness in style or presentation but satisfactory
overall.
35-39% Unsatisfactory Marginal
Overall marginally unsatisfactory; some sound aspects but some of Fail
the following weaknesses are evident; inadequate critical analysis
and evaluation; little evidence of originality; not well researched;
standard of presentation unacceptable; ideas unclear and
incoherent; some significant errors and misunderstandings.
Marginal fail.
1-34% Very poor Fail
Well below the pass standard; a poor critical analysis and
evaluation; no evidence of originality; poorly researched; standard
of presentation totally unacceptable; ideas confused and
incoherent, some serious misunderstandings and errors. A clear fail
well short of the pass standard. At the bottom of the range the work
demonstrates nothing of merit.
NS Non-submission
No work has been submitted.

Z Academic offence notation

Applies to proven instances of academic offence.

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