SCLG3601: Semester 1, 2023

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units SCLG3601 Semester 1 2023 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

SCLG3601: Contemporary Sociological Theory

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

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

Unit code	SCLG3601
Academic unit	Sociology and Criminology
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	SCLG3002
Prerequisites ?	12 Senior credit points in Sociology
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jennifer Wilkinson, jennifer.wilkinson@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Group Presentation in class presentation and discussion of weekly readings	10%	Ongoing	5-10 minutes ( depends on group size).
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Class participation Weekly lecture summaries and weekly tutorial reading contributions	15%	Ongoing	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Concept Quiz Part A Multiple choice in class quiz	10%	Week 08 Due date: 19 Apr 2023 at 11:00	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research Essay A written essay on selected course topics. Further information in class.	55%	Week 12 Due date: 19 May 2023 at 23:59	3500 wd
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Concept quiz Part B Multiple choice in class quiz	10%	Week 13 Due date: 26 May 2023 at 11:00	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Group oral presentation: Group oral presentations will be presented in tutorials. They will involve small groups of students 2-3 . Your group will be asked to present a critical analysis of 2-3 texts. You will be required to present the author's key arguments. conceptual approach, and contribution to the existing literature. You will also be required to relate the text to contemporary issues and to provide your own assessment of the validity of the author's arguments.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Contemporary sociological theory	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Individuals and social theory: Simmel 's two traditions	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Is happiness a selfish pleasure:the nature and the limits of liberal utility	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Beyond self interest - friendship and the sociological case for happiness	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Heroic individualism , Romanticism and Everyday life	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Solitude, privacy and the concept of an inner life	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	An inner life that's shared :Concepts of intimacy	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Concept Quiz A - weeks 1-6	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	The culture of Narcissism	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Sexiness, post-feminism and the problem of agency- explaing empowerment in neo-liberal societies	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	More than Human families, relationality, animals and personal life	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Course evaluation and essay consultation	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Concept Quiz B weeks 7-11	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Weekly readings as outlined in Canvas will be available online through Reading list ( leganto)

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect