SOCY301-17A (HAM)

Contemporary Social Theory

20 Points

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Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Te Kura Kete Aronui
School of Social Sciences
Sociology

Staff

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Convenor(s)

David Neilson

David Neilson
9359
K.2.02A
To be advised
poli1215@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Administrator(s)

Placement Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: jbydder@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5 or 9 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
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Paper Description

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This paper introduces students to some of the major theorists, approaches, and central debates of contemporary social theory. Particular attention is paid to the relation between individuals, social groups, and society in the context of the global, neoliberal, post-modern form of the contemporary capitalist world. Epistemological questions about facts, theories, truth, knowledge, reality are also integral to our discussions of these themes.
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Paper Structure

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This paper comprises two two-hour sessions. Each session will be a combination of teaching, discussion and some small group work. There are no tutorials or seminars in this paper. All sessions will be recorded in Panopto. Lecture notes and somes readings will be available on Moodle.
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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

  • demonstrate a critical awareness of contemporary society
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • look beneath the surface forms and appearances of society to its underlying structures and 'drivers'
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  • be knowledgable about major debates in contemporary social theory
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  • understand and deploy key Sociological tools of inquiry
    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessment

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Assessment Components

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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 1:0. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 0% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 1:0 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 0% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Assignment One: Essay
24 Apr 2017
4:30 AM
33
  • Hand-In: Faculty Information Centre (J Block)
2. Assignment Two: Essay
1 Jun 2017
4:30 PM
33
  • Hand-In: Faculty Information Centre (J Block)
✔
3. Examination: Take Home Test
2 Jun 2017
11:00 AM
33
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
✔
4. Participation
1
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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Required and Recommended Readings

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Required Readings

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Edgell, S. (1993) Class.

Beck, U. and Beck-Gernsheim, E. (2002) Individualisation.

Marx, K. and Engels, F. (1848) The Communist Manifesto.

Standing, G. (2012) The precariat: from denizens to citizens, Polity 44(4).

Neilson, D. (2017) In-itself/ For-itself: Towards Second Generation Neo-Marxist Class Theory, Capital & Class. (forthcoming)

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Recommended Readings

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A book of recommended readings will be available to buy from campus copy

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Online Support

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Lectures, news, discussion and reading material will all be available on Moodle.
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Workload

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Each session involves two hours contact time and about one hour reading / preparation =24 session X 3 = 72 hours

The two essays assignments are expected to each take about 30 hours (15 hours reading, 15 hours writing) each 2 X 30 = 60

Preparation and undertaking take home test is expected to involve 12 hours preparation and 6 hours writing =18

This makes a total of about 150 hours. Please note that these are just rough guidelines.For example, some students who spend more time in preparing for each session will find that they need to spend less time in the research time for assignments and take home test.

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Linkages to Other Papers

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SOCY204 History of Sociological Thought
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Prerequisite(s)

SOCY204

Corequisite(s)

Equivalent(s)

Restriction(s)

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