Overview

There will be no set curriculum - rather this will emerge each time the module is taught depending on staff and student interests. The approach adopted will be to devote the first workshop to identifying themes and issues to be addressed, and to draw up the curriculum for that academic session in collaboration between staff and students. The workshop style of teaching and learning will allow emerging issues and contemporary debates to be addressed.

Possible topics to be covered:

• The refugee crisis • The reasons behind and the consequences of Brexit. • Should drugs be legalised? • Social control and the media • Thinking critically about criminology • Should there be a sociology of the environment? • Exploring disaster capitalism • Girls will be girls and boys will be boys – debunking the myth of gender. • Exploring the relationship between inequality and capitalism • Radicalisation, immigration, identity and racism. • Freedom of speech: universal rights and/or cultures of difference • Media representations of conflict and suffering • Thinking beyond the norm – the rationalization of ‘them’ and ‘us’ • Debating morality • Fake news • Brant Trump • Plastics fantastics and the Blue Planet Effect • Debating body shaming, prostitution and gender • The rise of far right ideology today. • Analysing the power of New Social Movements (#metoo, Black Lives Matter…)

There will be no set curriculum - rather this will emerge each time the module is taught depending on staff and student interests. The approach adopted will be to devote the first workshop to identifying themes and issues to be addressed, and to draw up the curriculum for that academic session in collaboration between staff and students. The workshop style of teaching and learning will allow emerging issues and contemporary debates to be addressed.

Possible topics to be covered:

• The refugee crisis • The reasons behind and the consequences of Brexit. • Should drugs be legalised? • Social control and the media • Thinking critically about criminology • Should there be a sociology of the environment? • Exploring disaster capitalism • Girls will be girls and boys will be boys – debunking the myth of gender. • Exploring the relationship between inequality and capitalism • Radicalisation, immigration, identity and racism. • Freedom of speech: universal rights and/or cultures of difference • Media representations of conflict and suffering • Thinking beyond the norm – the rationalization of ‘them’ and ‘us’ • Debating morality • Fake news • Brand Trump • Plastics fantastics and the Blue Planet Effect • Debating body shaming, prostitution and gender • The rise of far right ideology today. • Analysing the power of New Social Movements (#metoo, Black Lives Matter…)

Assessment Strategy

-excellent -A*-A-. Examine and critically evaluate key themes within the social sciences, taking account of conflicting ideas; demonstrate insight in presenting relevant materials which draw on a wide range of academic and other sources; present arguments logically and coherently, both orally and in writing; show a good understanding of the social and political parameters of contemporary social debates.

-good -B*-B-. Explain with accuracy the conceptual and empirical issues that are of concern within the social sciences; evaluate relevant material and present arguments in a coherent way; communicate with fluency in both oral and written communication; to be able to summarise and evaluate some of the arguments for and against a particular proposition.

threshold -C*-C-. Describe some of the recent conceptual and empirical issues which are of concern to the social sciences, with some reference to one or more key themes; to present written work in a comprehensible way and with some accuracy; to show a basic ability to engage in social debates, both orally and in writing; to be able to summarise some of the arguments for and against a particular proposition.

Learning Outcomes

• Appraise the emergent agendas within the social sciences with reference to appropriate case studies

• Appraise the types and uses of evidence or research methods used in the fields of study, with some knowledge of their limitations.

• Demonstrate the value of comparative enquiry and analysis.

• Identify and appreciate some recently emerging debates and questions within the social sciences.

• Reflect on the learning process within the module and show comprehensive analysis and appreciation of critical evidenced-based research.