Unit information: Sociology in a Global Context in 2021/22

Unit name	Sociology in a Global Context
Unit code	SOCI10008
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Fox
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	none
Co-requisites	none
School/department	School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The contemporary world is characterised by both interconnectedness and disconnectedness. Some people, ideas and capital move between different parts of the world with ease, speed and frequency: companies exist in multiple countries simultaneously; new technologies enable us to connect with people all around the world; environmental change creates new challenges to be faced by all. Other people, ideas, and cultures are entrenched in their own isolation, shut off from these global flows: people find comfort in local attachments, political space is increasingly fragmented, and cultural boundaries reinforced. How do academics understand these experiences, and how might they challenge some of the core assumptions of sociology? This unit examines some of the key ways in which the contemporary world is evolving. By investigating specific social spheres such as migration, religion, culture and risk, the unit considers the both the potential and limits of globalisation.

Aims:

• To understand globalisation and its sometimes contradictory effects;
• To gain an awareness of global trends outside of the UK and how they impact the UK;
• To explore and critically assess the way people, ideas, and capital are connected, or not connected, with respect to specific social phenomena;
• To appreciate the empirical specificity and historical contingency of globalisation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

• Critically engage with both the theory and empirical reality of globalisation, appreciating its strengths and weaknesses in different contexts;
• Demonstrate an understanding of global trends and international sociology outside, but often impacting upon, Britain;
• Connect theories of globalisation (and its opposite) to concrete things happening in the world.

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities

Assessment Information

1500 word essay (25%) 2000 word essay (75%)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SOCI10008).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.