Introductory description

This module aims to equip students with the skills and confidence to think about the social world in light of diverse perspectives in social theory. Students will be introduced to a few of the key perspectives that are influential in contemporary debates about the social world. We will explore connections and tensions between different perspectives and students will be encouraged to think about social theories as tools for thinking that emerge from real political struggles and in relaiton to social problems. Students will develop the knowledge to be able to choose between different theoretical perspectives when developing their own arguments and research. They will also develop advanced skills in textual interpretation and critical thinking, alongside team work, collaboration and discussion.

students will also develop advanced skills in critical thinking and close textual reading. Student led reading groups will also foster skills in team work and discussion.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1 – What is Social Theory and Why Do We Need It?
Week 2 - Marxist Cultural Theory: Fascism and Mass Deception
Week 3 - Post-structuralism 1: Pluralising Problems Beyond Capital
Week 4 - Post-structuralism 2: Biopower
Week 5 - Affect Theory 1: Returning to the Body and Vitality
Week 7 - Affect Theory 2: Cruel Optimism
Week 8 - Indigenous Theory 1: Challenging Coloniality in the Uninversity
Week 9 – Indigenous Theory 2: Grounded Normativity and Radical Resurgence
Week 10 - Thinking With Theory in and Beyond Essay Writing

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Advanced skills in critical thinking about modern power and cultural analysis.
• Advanced skills in essay writing.
• Awareness of and ability to discuss contemporary debates in social theory concerning the nature of power.
• Awareness of and ability to discuss contemporary issues in class power.
• Indepth understanding and critical analysis of a specific topic in the sociology/social theory of class power.

Indicative reading list

Adorno, Theodor W. The culture industry: Selected essays on mass culture. Routledge, 2005.
Blencowe, Claire. 2018 ‘Foucault & Political Sociology’ in Ouithwate & Turner Sage Handbook in Political Sociology Sage, UK.
Foucault, M. and Trombadori, D., 1991. Remarks on Marx: Conversations with Duccio Trombadori. Semiotext(e).
Tyler, Imogen. 2013. Revolting Subjects: Social Abjection and Resitance in Neoliberal Britain.
Deleuze, Giles and Guattari, Felix. 1972. AntiOedipus
Berlant, Lauren. 2011. Cruel Optimism.
Césaire, Aimé. Discourse on colonialism. NYU Press, 2001
Smith, L. (1999/ revised 2012) Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples, Zed Books: London
Simpson, Leanne Betasamosake, 2017. As We Have Always Done: Indigneous Resistance as Radical Resurgance

International

The module introduces the tradition of social theory which is an international movement of thought. Care is taken in the design of the module to make the module relevant to international student body . This is the case in terms of selecting examples - where an effort is made to match with students' internationally diverse interests, and also in terms of the traditions of thought.

Subject specific skills

• knowledge and critical understanding of the well-established principles of social theory, and of the way in which those principles have developed

• knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in sociology and social theory and ability to evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems in sociology and social research

• use a range of established social theory techniques to initiate and undertake critical analysis of information, and to propose solutions to problems arising from that analysis

• effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms
  to specialist and non-specialist audiences and deploy key techniques of social theory analysis effectively

Transferable skills

• ability to apply underlying concepts and principles of sociological-relational thinking, and critical social analysis outside the context in which they were first studied, including, where appropriate, the application of those principles in an employment context .

-critical thinking.

-textual interpretation and analysis.

-teamwork, co-operation and discussion.

• an understanding of the limits of their knowledge, and how this influences analyses and interpretations based on that knowledge.

• have an enhanced capacity to undertake independent research, develop existing skills and acquire new competences that will enable them to assume significant responsibility within organisations.

• attain the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making, in particular being better able to think critically about power relations at play in all social processes including knowledge production.