Skip to main content
Unit of study_

SCLG3601: Contemporary Sociological Theory

2025 unit information

This unit provides a detailed introduction to key social theorists whose ideas are being used extensively in contemporary sociological theory and research. These theorists include: Irving Goffman, Michel Foucault and Pierre Bourdieu. A particular focus is on approaches to human action in its various structural and cultural contexts, the possibilities and limits of human agency, and questions of social change.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Arts and Social Sciences

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Sociology and Criminology
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
12 credit points at 2000 or 3000 level in Sociology
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
SCLG3002
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate an advanced general understanding of key concepts and debates in contemporary sociological theory and a detailed familiarity with at least one
  • LO2. demonstrate a detailed grasp of the relationships between different bodies of theory as well as the ability to critically compare and contrast them with each other
  • LO3. analyse the ways in which key theoretical concepts are and can be mobilised in particular programs of social research, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of any given concept in relation to a particular research problem
  • LO4. communicate effectively your understanding of these sociological concepts and the questions they raise, both orally and in writing.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Remote

Find your current year census dates

Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.