| Unit name | Social Identities and Divisions |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SOCI10007 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. B Camminga |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
We all think of other people using various categories, like ‘young’, ‘female’, ‘white’, ‘British’ etc. These labels are often thought of as natural and fixed. However, our understanding of them is grounded in cultural meanings in society that change over time. They are socially constructed rather than fixated by biology or nature. Processes of categorisation are never neutral and create hierarchies within those labels that lead to significant social divisions.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This is a compulsory unit for 1st year Sociology students. It focuses on some key sociological debates, presents empirical evidence of inequalities that relate to social divisions, and considers their relevance in the analysis of contemporary societies. Upon successful completion of the unit students will have a strong foundation in theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding core social identities and divisions that will be explored in other units in future years of study.
The unit aims to:
An overview of content
This unit discusses general sociological frameworks, covering both modernist and postmodernist approaches to conceptualising various aspects of social identities and divisions, such as class, 'race' and ethnicity, nationality, gender, disability and age.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
The unit will equip students with critical thinking skills that will help them challenge assumptions about major social identities and divisions. As the unit introduces students to a range of categories such a class, 'race' and ethnicity, nationality, gender, disability and age, it will help them decide which of these areas of academic interests to pursue in the later stages of their programme.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, students will:
The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
1-page poster (mid term) - a creative way to help students develop their analytical and writing skills for their summative essays - ILO 1, 2, 3.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
2000 word essay (100%) (end of term) - ILO 1, 2, 3.
When assessment does not go to plan
You will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. You will be required to complete a different assessment question.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SOCI10007).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
