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Theorising the Social World - SOC00012C

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  • Department: Sociology
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

This module introduces you to new perspectives on the world through exploring how knowledge of key sociological concepts can help us explore far reaching questions about our lives and the ways in which they are shaped by the forces around us. You will learn to think critically in evaluating a range of theoretical debates, theorists and ideas.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

Social theory helps us to comprehend far reaching questions about our lives and how they are shaped by the world around us. How did the world that we experience today come into being? How has it been shaped by powerful political, economic, cultural, and technological forces? How can global social thinkers help us make sense of it and see how it could be different? This module introduces you to new perspectives on the world, deepens your knowledge of key sociological concepts, and develops your theoretical thinking. You will evaluate a range of theoretical debates, theorists and ideas, and will learn to think critically about how to apply and respond to theoretical claims and perspectives.

Module learning outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts and debates from social theory.

Critically discuss the development of key concepts in social theory in relation to their social, cultural and historical contexts.

Employ theoretical ideas in your analysis of the social world.

Evaluate the methodological implications of concepts for doing research about the social world.

Communicate complex ideas effectively in oral and written formats.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

For formative work - Short Written Assessment: Wiki - students will receive written or verbal feedback on how to improve their skills in areas that will contribute towards their summative assessment. The formative assessment provides practice for the summative tasks which are in line with MLO 1-5.

For summative work - Essay - students will receive an overall mark and grading according to clearly defined criteria for assessing their knowledge, skills and abilities in line with MLO 1-5. They will also receive written feedback showing areas in which they have done well and those areas in which they need to improve that will contribute to their progress.

Indicative reading

Ray, L. (1999) Theorizing Classical Sociology. Open University Press.

George Ritzer and Douglas Goodman s (2008) Sociological Theory 6th International Edition, McGraw Hill.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.