Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
This module explores social inequalities in both a British and global context. The module focuses on major social inequalities including class, ethnicity, gender and age, and considers how these categories shape societies and the life chances of individuals. The module encourages students to consider sociological accounts of the existence and the persistence of social inequalities and to challenge common-sense and individualised explanations by engaging with empirical evidence.The lectures will focus on:How can we understand society?Global inequalitiesPerspectives on wealth, poverty and classA woman¿s placeGender and sexualitiesFaith, culture and ethnicity ¿ why `race¿ still mattersMigration and asylumHealth and disabilitiesOld age, childhood and vulnerabilityCan we overcome inequality?
Aims
To enable students to consider the forms of stratification of social life in contemporary societiesTo enable students to consider the role of gender, ethnicity, social class, and age in shaping our life chances To introduce students to sociological explanations for inequalities which challenge individualist and common-sense understandings
Talis Aspire Reading ListAny reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/soc-10009/lists
Intended Learning Outcomes
Express knowledge of the diversity of types of social inequality in the contemporary world: 1Demonstrate an appreciation of the social origins of inequalities: 1Show knowledge of the ways that policy decisions impact upon social inequalities through reference to contemporary examples: 1Show an understanding of the diverse scalings of social inequalities: 1Demonstrate an appreciation of the individualized and culturally specific explanations for major disparities in life chances from a sociological perspective: 1Show evidence of reflection on own learning and the ability to conform to academic conventions: 1Demonstrate ability to use research tools, such as the library catalogue, to inform indepedent learning: 1Demonstrate the ability to interpret quantative data representing patterns of social inequalites, and compare these to findings of qualitative research to develop an understanding of the contribution of different methodological approaches to sociological research: 1
22 Contact hours - 11 lectures and 11 tutorials44 hours tutorial preparation42 hours preparation for draft essay 42 hours preparation for final essay
Description of Module Assessment
1: Essay weighted 100%1500 word FINAL essay1500 word FINAL essay. Students will be given the opportunity to submit a DRAFT essay as part of the formative assessment of the module in week 4 / 5. They will have the opportunity to receive feedback on this DRAFT and use this to improve their FINAL submission.