Module: Introduction to Social Studies

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Introduction to Social Studies
Module Code	CM107 (ITS) / SOC1000 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
Module Co-ordinator	Roderick Flynn
Module Teachers	Jim Rogers
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
As both the seminar discussion and academic essay are joint pieces of work- the reassessment is a single essay.

Description

This module introduces students to concepts and theories from social studies and examines how they inform analyses of modern societies. In particular, the notion of the 'sociological imagination' is central to encouraging students to develop a critique of both macro and micro social phenomena. Students consider the question of 'what is sociology'?; what are its origins; its key terms and concepts and how sociological concepts, such as socialisation, social class, globalisation and gender are usefully applied to make sense of our experiences in the world.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the core concepts of the theoretical perspectives examined within the module.
2. Debate and defend a theoretically informed social analysis of a chosen topic within a seminar context.
3. Recognise the key determinants of social change.
4. Write a concise and logical seminar report.
5. Apply contrasting theoretical perspectives to social questions within a written assignment.
6. Reference assignments and seminar reports according to the Harvard System.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	25	Weekly Lecture
Seminars	12	Seminars: Attentance and Participation
Independent Study	90	Reading, Research and Writing
Assignment Completion	35	Essay
Online activity	40	Use of course-related material on Moodle
Independent Study	30	Accessing academic texts and journals
Assignment Completion	18	Seminar presentation
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

1. Sociological Perspective-Enlightenment & Founding Fathers

2. Capitalism

3. Religion and Rationality

4. Changing Social Structures-The Family

5. Globalization

6. Stratification and Social Class

7. Sex, Gender and Sexual orientation

8. Race, Ethnicity and Migration

9. Risk Society

10. Politics, Power, & Social Movements

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Participation	Seminar Discussion	30%	Every Week
Essay	Academic Essay	70%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Giddens, Anthony: 2006, Sociology,
Hall, Stuart: 1992, Formations of Modernity,
McDonald, Bernadette: 2009, An Introduction to Sociology in Ireland, 2nd, Gill & Macmillan,

Other Resources

None