Course description
Course Description
The MA in Sociology of Globalisation focuses on the main mechanisms and effects of globalisation, its interaction with regional and local traditions, and major social science debates around these demanding issues. It also provides a broad overview of the major phenomena that both generate and contribute to processes of globalisation.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
COLONIALISM, CULTURE AND GLOBALIZATION
CONSUMER CULTURE
CONTEMPORARY DEBATES IN SOCIOLOGY
CONVERSATION ANALYSIS AND THE DYNAMICS OF REAL-TIME SOCIAL INTERACTION
Core: GLOBALIZATION, INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND ETHNICITY
Core: MA DISSERTATION
Core: SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH DESIGN
Core: THE DYNAMICS OF GLOBALISATION
CULTURAL STUDIES: THEORY AND HISTORY
CURRENT CONTROVERSIES IN CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH
DYNAMICS OF HOME AND WORK IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
FORMATIVE DEBATES IN CRIMINOLOGY
GAY, LESBIAN AND QUEER LIFE: GENDER, SEXUALITIES AND CHANGE
GAY, LESBIAN AND QUEER LIFE: HISTORY AND VISUAL CULTURE
GENDER DIVISIONS AND FEMINIST THEORY
GENDER, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
INTERVIEWING AND QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
MEDIA THEORY
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS FROM UNIVARIATE TO MULTIVARIATE METHODS
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
SOCIETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT: THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE
SOCIOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE AGE OF GLOBALISATION
SOCIOLOGY OF HUMAN RIGHTS 1
SOCIOLOGY OF HUMAN RIGHTS 2: SELECTED SPECIAL TOPICS
TEXTS, DOCUMENTS AND ETHNOGRAPHY
THE CONTEMPORARY NATION STATE
THE USE OF CULTURE: KNOWLEDGE, POWER AND DIFFERENCE
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Advanced knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary mechanisms and effects of globalization; economic, political, social and cultural
A2 : Advanced knowledge and understanding of mechanisms and outcomes of glocalization; economic, political, social, cultural
A3 : Advanced knowledge and understanding of mechanisms and outcomes of resistance to globalization; economic, social, political cultural
A4 : Advanced knowledge and understanding of the main sociological theories of globalization
A5 : Advanced knowledge and understanding of empirical research on globalization, glocalization and localisation
A6 : Advanced knowledge and understanding of empirical research on glocalization
A7 : Advanced knowledge and understanding of empirical research on resistance to globalization
A8 : Advanced knowledge of sociological research design and methods
A9 : Advanced knowledge of Professional Ethics involved in carrying out research
Teaching Methods
Familiarity with the historical and contemporary mechanisms and effects of globalisation (A1) will be covered in both SC656 and SC556 as will mechanisms of resistance to globalisation (A3). Parallel mechanisms of glocalisation (A2) will be covered in SC656. SC556 and SC656 will both provide knowledge of the main sociological theories of glocalization (A4) and resistance to globalization (A6). Knowledge of the main sociological theories of globalization and localisation (A5) will be gained in SC556. Both SC656 and SC556 address outcomes A7 and A8, an advanced understanding of the linkages between concepts and theories about globalisation and related processes, and a thorough knowledge and understanding of existing empirical research on globalisation and related processes in the economic, political, social and cultural realms. SC905, the third mandatory module in the scheme provides the knowledge specified in A9 and A10. Complementary knowledge of the relevant issues will be provided by a set of optional modules from which students select three. A list of recommended, but not obligatory, optional modules are provided after the Programme Structure.
Modules are usually taught through twenty two-hour weekly seminars that generally combine lectures, student presentations, discussion and structured reading. Lectures are used to map the field, situate theories, debates, and texts, and to locate the major concepts and issues. Student presentations and class discussions or required readings enable students to consolidate and expand knowledge. Some modules also include research exercises. Module tutors are available to clarify issues arising from seminars and required readings as well as to provide guidance on further readings related to the module. Additionally, students are encouraged to attend relevant seminars held in the Sociology Department and elsewhere in the university. The 15,000-word MA dissertation prepared under the guidance of a supervisor, provides the opportunity for students to expand and deepen the knowledge of the subject matter of their speciality obtained through modules and essays
Assessment Methods
For SC656 essays and participation in class discussions assess students knowledge of A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, whilst for SC556, essays and participation in class discussions assess students knowledge of A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8 and A9 are assessed in the assignments for SC905. Students knowledge of the subject matter and their research skills are evaluated before they can progress to the dissertation.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Ability to identify and critically assess the mechanisms and outcomes of globalization processes
B2 : Ability to identify and critically assess the mechanisms and outcomes of glocalization processes
B3 : Ability to identify and critically assess the mechanisms of resistance to globalization
B4 : Ability to identify and critically assess different sociological theories of processes
B5 : Ability to interpret, compare, and synthesise evidence from different sources
B6 : Ability to develop a well-founded, consistent argument
B7 : Ability to design a small-scale sociological research project
Teaching Methods
Students practice and enhance these cognitive skills through the work they do for each of their substantive and optional modules, their essays and the dissertation. Among the mandatory modules for this Course, SC656 and SC556 are specifically designed to develop students skills in B1 -B5. SC905 is designed to enhance skills in B6 and B7. In addition to readings and class discussions, students enhance their cognitive skills through oral class presentations, and through intellectual exchanges with their classmates. Students participation in departmental workshops and conferences performs a similar function. The designing and executing research for MA dissertations and the experience of writing them up provide a special occasion for students to expand their conceptual, investigative, and argumentative skills.
Assessment Methods
SC656 (Dynamics of Globalization) and SC933 (Globalisation, International Migration and Ethnicity) essays and students participation in class discussions assess the cognitive skills listed in B1 to B5, while SC905 assignments assess their skills in B6 to B7. All of these cognitive skills are taken into account into the marking of the dissertation.
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Ability to apply adequate sociological concepts and theories to problems of globalization
C2 : Ability to formulate and to apply in theoretical arguments and empirical research questions relevant in the study of globalization
C3 : Ability to execute a small-to-medium scale sociological project
C4 : Ability to locate and critically asses sources of sociological data on the subject investigated (statistical, survey, ethnographic, archival
C5 : Ability to locate, retrieve, and critically assess the validity of relevant sociological literature using library and online resources
C6 : Capacity for self-direction in planning, management, and presentation of small-to-medium scale sociological research
Teaching Methods
The mandatory modules in the Course SC656, SC556 and SC905 are each designed to help students to develop and apply practical sociological skills C1 thru C6 through lecture, class discussions and assignments, and through students own research. The substantive modules SC656 and SC556 specifically train student skills in C1, C2, C4, and C5. SC905 and students dissertation work enhances their skills in C3 and C6. The Course director also provides guidance in C1 to C4 specifically tailored to students projects. Optional modules, students in this Course must select three of those, additionally strengthen their practical skills.
Assessment Methods
C1 to C5 skills are assessed in students class participation and in two substantive core module essays. C3, C4, and C6 skills are assessed in the mandatory module SC905 (Sociological Research Methods) all of them prerequisites for proceeding to the dissertation. All practical skills C1 thru C6 are assessed in the marking of the dissertation.
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : Ablity to present concepts, theoretical arguments, and empirical evidence in writing and oral presentations in a clear and concise manner
D2 : Ability to collect, critically assess, apply in research, and present evidence using information technology
D4 : Ability to identify and tackle problems in the informed and innovative fashion using sociological imagination or the understanding of complex interconnections between different layers of social life
D5 : Readiness and ability to incorporate others comments/suggestions into ones work and to provide such to others
D6 : Awareness of learning as an ongoing process and of the necessity to continuously expand on it and the ability to rationally plan and assess the feasibility of research projects
Teaching Methods
Key D1. D4 to D5 skills are learned in mandatory Course modules SC656(Dynamics of Globalization) and SC556 (The Global, the Glocal and the Local Memberships and Identities), and D2 to D5 skills are trained in the seminar SC905 through lectures and class discussions, bibliographic and web searches , specific writing and oral presentation assignments, module essays. Skills D1 toD4 are also enhanced through the preparation and execution of the dissertation under the supervision of students supervisors.
Assessment Methods
D2, and D4 skills are assessed in the assignments for SC905. D1, D4 and D5 skills are assessed by most coursework and the dissertation. The MA dissertation serves as the basis for an overall assessment of communication, research management, and problem solving skills.
