Module: Societal Structure and Social Order

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Societal Structure and Social Order
Module Code	SOC1015 (ITS: SOC3A)
Faculty	Human Development	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

Power is central to how our social world is structured and experienced. This module examines this concept by identifying several sources of power and by exploring some of the ways in which it is exercised. Different sociological perspectives are explored including the work of key thinkers such as Parsons, Gramsci and Foucault. Power is explored through a range of concepts.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyse relevant theories on power with reference to social order and apply to real world examples
2. Assess the definitions of crime, the different theories regarding the causes of crime and the connections between crime, drug use and deprivation and apply to the Irish context
3. Carry out a sociological research project
4. Effectively communicate sociological concepts in oral and written format
5. Reflect on their learning in the disciplinary context of sociology
6. Critically assess sociological research

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Tutorial	18	No Description
Online activity	60	No Description
Independent Study	297	No Description
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	11970	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Lorraine Delaney	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Portfolio	Reflective learning portfolio	20%	n/a
Assignment	Literature review	15%	n/a
Completion of online activity	Online debate	15%	n/a
Project	Case study project	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	l,
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

PART ONE: Concepts of Power, Social Order, Social Control

Unit 1: Power, Social Order and Social Control: Conceptual and Theoretical Issues

Unit 2: The State: Theoretical Issues Related to the State, Legitimacy and the Intelligentsia

Unit 3: Structural and Post Structuralist Perspectives on a Changing Society

Unit 4: Power and Social Control from a Social Action Perspective.

PART TWO: Agents of Control

Unit 5: Theoretical Perspectives on Social Order

Unit 6: Process and Agencies of Voluntary Social Order

Unit 7: Theoretical Perspectives on Voluntary Social Order

Unit 8: Social Order as Coercive

Unit 9: Theoretical Perspectives on Coercive Social Order

PART THREE: Crime and Deviance

Unit 10: Crime and Deviance - Issues of Definition

Unit 11: Theories of Crime and Deviance

Unit 12: Drugs, Crime and Cultural Change: Issues and Debates

Unit 13: Crime and Punishment in Ireland - Facts and Fallacies

Unit 14: Explaining Crime in Ireland - The Issues

PART FOUR: – Sociology of Work

Unit 15: The Sociology of Work: the Classical Concerns

Unit 16: Humanising or Quantifying Work: Human Relations and Scientific Management

Unit 17: The Labour Process, Deskilling and the Degradation of Work

Unit 18: Technology, Skills and Job Satisfaction

Unit 19: Post-Fordism and Flexibility: the Restructuring of Work

Unit 20: Recent Concerns in the Sociology of Work

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Bauman, Zygmunt: 2007, Liquid Times: Living in an Age of Uncertainty, Polity Press, Malden,
Braverman, H.: 1998, abor and Monopoly Capital: the degradation of work in the twentieth century, Monthly Review Press, New York,
Edgell, S.: 2012, The Sociology of Work, Sage, London,
Haugaard, Mark: 2012, Power: A Reader, 2nd, Manchester University Press, Manchester,
Lukes, S.: 2005, Power: A Radical View, 2nd, Palgrave,
Oâ€™Mahony, P: 2002, Criminal Justice in Ireland, Institute of Public Administration, Dublin,
Walklate, Sandra: 2007, Understanding Criminology: Current Theoretical Debates, Third, Open University Press, Berkshire, Berkshire,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None