Outline

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

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
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Craig Browne, craig.browne@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Research essay Essay on selected unit topics - further information provided in class	45%	Formal exam period Due date: 09 Jun 2026 at 23:59	2500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group Presentation In-class presentation: analysis and application of concepts	15%	Multiple weeks	10 minutes maximum; 500 words equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group Project: An Exercise in Sociological Theory Theoretical analysis of a social documentary or equivalent	30%	Week 10 Due date: 04 May 2026 at 23:59	1500 words equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Class participation Active participation in tutorials, based on lectures and readings	10%	Weekly	In class	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Group oral presentation: Group oral presentations in lecture/tutorials and submission of a written paper. Presentations and submission will involve small groups of students - normally 3 students. Your group will be asked to present a critical analysis of either an exhibition, documentary or narrative film. You will be required to present the key themes and arguments and apply conceptual approaches from the unit of study and to make use of contemporary sociological theory. You will also be required to relate your group analysis to contemporary issues and to provide your own assessment of the validity of arguments in contemporary sociological theory.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Contemporary Sociological Theory	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Theorizing the Present: Diagnoses of the Times	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Theorizing the Present: Diagnoses of the Times	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Social Practices and Symbolic Power	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Social Practices and Symbolic Power	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Varieties of New Capitalism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Varieties of New Capitalism	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	The New Public Sphere and Critical Social Theory	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	The New Public Sphere and Critical Social Theory	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Utopia, Hope, and Resonance: Beyond Alienation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Utopia, Hope, and Resonance: Beyond Alienation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Social and Political Imaginaries	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Social and Political Imaginaries	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Group Project	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Group Project	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Feminist Critique and Patriarchal Domination - Women and Violence	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Feminist Critique and Patriarchal Domination - Women and Violence	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Fundamentalism, Authoritarianism, and Cosmopolitanism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Fundamentalism, Authoritarianism, and Cosmopolitanism	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Global, Multiple and Entangled Modernities	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Global, Multiple and Entangled Modernities	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Critique, Contestation and Creativity	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Critique, Contestation and Creativity	Tutorial (1 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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library’s reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas.

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.

Consolidated Themes and Content. Taken-into-account 'decolonizing' and 'Indigenizing' curriculum initiatives. Consolidated Assessments - Refined Assessment, Consolidated group work; additional challenging content, reinforced connections to overall majors and degrees, consolidated research training and competences. Linking theory and practice.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

SCLG3601: Contemporary Sociological Theory

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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