SOC-30035 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

The start of the 21st century represents an opportunity for sociology to re-appraise the history of utopian thinking. In this regard, the key goals of the module are to (1) examine the main theories of the utopian, or ideal, society and (2) look at the history of utopian social engineering. Each week the course considers a different version of the utopian imagination and shows how it can be related to historical events. Together these explorations cover the central social and political expressions of the idea of the ideal society.
The course is sensitive to the potential of utopias to malfunction. According to this recognition, the module will also consider the idea of dystopia, the shadow concept of the utopian ideal. Considerations of the idea of dystopia, and its close relation to the notion of utopia, will lead us to ask whether the idealistic concept of the perfect society is an inherently perverse idea. Our exploration of theories that seem to bounce between celebrations of the idea of the utopian community and condemnations of the practical reality of the dystopian society (social forms that Susan Buck-Morss calls Dreamworlds and Catastrophes) might suggest that utopias are about our imaginary, rather than real, future. In response to this possibility the module&©s central concern revolves around an exploration of the practicality of the utopian society. As the course develops we will ask whether dreamworlds always become catastrophes when they reach practical realisation.

To teach students the history of utopian thought and the ways in which these ideas have impacted upon different societies.
To enable students to interrogate theories of the ideal society through consideration of practical examples drawn from history.
To encourage students to think about the relationship between theory, practice, action, and utopia through concrete examples.

Intended Learning Outcomes

critically assess utopian theories through the lens of their historical application will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
critically evaluate the context-bound relationship between thought and practice through reference to particular historical examples will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
critically assess the history of utopian thought in the western world in relation to both the concept and historical reality of dystopia will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
employ utopian theories beyond the first context in order to create their own utopian society will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
evaluate the potential translations of theory into practice through the study of historical examples of dystopia and utopian design will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
explore society as a human design that can be changed within limits will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
critically assess the social limitations of the application of grand theoretical schemes will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2

Study hours

20 hours contact - 10 hours lecture / 10 hours tutorial contact
30 hours tutorial preparation
40 hours independent study
60 hours assessment preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment