Introduction to Social Theory

Introduction to Social Theory is intended to enable students to consider the contested nature of the social sciences and more specifically the realm of social theory. In doing so it is anticipated that students will enhance their understanding of the nature of social explanation and be more able to read, discuss and think in a developing and critically engaging way. This course aims to introduce students to the distinctive understandings that the various disciplines of sociology, psychology, politics and so on have in order to demonstrate the contested nature of thinking, concepts and theories. It would deploy the idea of the ‘sociological imagination’ to illuminate the ways in which particular disciplines interpret this concept and thus seek to enhance understanding. A primary intention is to illuminate the ways in which particular disciplines interpret aspects of the social world, to problematise such interpretation and thus seek to enhance understanding. It is contended that theoretical analysis relating to the area of social existence will serve as a usful basis for further study and, ultimately, for the field of practice.

Crucially, identification and utilisation of contemporary social issues affecting individuals and communities will form the basis of the focus with different theoretical positions being applied to a given issue. In this way course participants will begin to appreciate the utility of theory to their own construction and understanding of the social world. By encouraging active engagement with contemporary social issues affecting individuals and communities from a range of social scientific theoretical positions course participants will begin to appreciate the utility of theory to their own practice contexts.

The course is taught in the second semester and has a rating of 20 credit points.

On completion of this course participants will be able to:

Understand relationships between the individual, community, state and society at the national and global level
Identify and distinguish between a range of social theories which seek to enhance understanding of human behaviour
Develop awareness of the contested nature of social theory and of the disciplines from which such theories derive
Demonstrate an understanding of the desirability of adopting multidisciplinary understandings in order to enhance practice.

Alan Ducklin is the Course Organiser for Introduction to Social Theory

Alan says:

"Introduction to Social Theory introduces course participants to a range of social theories in psychology, sociology and politics. In doing so there is encouragement for discussion of the role of theory in seeking to make sense of the social world and opportunities for consideration of the utility of theory for enhancing such understandings and possibly assisting in 'making a difference' in respect to, say, social problems. Differences between theories and the extent to which one theory might appear to contain more robust 'explanatory power' will also be an incorporated component of the course. The expectation that opportunities for class participation will be in place and expected, and that previous student cohorts have found the work around the assessment task to be challenging but beneficial."

You can find out more about Alan's work and publications at the departmental webpage.

Learning and Teaching Strategies

The taught elements of this course will run from January to March (11 weeks) and will consist of tutor input and student participation in discussion and issue based class activities Students will be expected to complete 22 hours of class contact time, approximately 20 hours work on structured study tasks including assessment and approximately 60 hours of self-directed study.

Assessment

Assignment:

Students will be provided with a range of questions/topics on which to write a specified number of short answers. This task will be undertaken independently as a self-study task and submitted at the end of the semester in which the course is taught. In addition students may be expected to complete one or more formative assessment tasks.

Length: 2000 words

CUE has been developed at the University of Edinburgh by John Bamber and Clara O'Shea as part of the Student Recruitment and Admissions 'Transitions' Project in 2006/7. For further information on CUE and on CUE: Community Education contact: John Bamber, Department of HIgher and Community Education, Moray House School of Education, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ, Tel.: +44 - (0)131 - 651 6116, E-mail: john.bamber@ed.ac.uk

Website updated: June 19, 2008