Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Social and Economic Studies
Module Code	CM107
School	School of Communications
Online Module Resources
Module Teacher	Des McGuinness
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This module introduces students to concepts and theories from social studies and examines how they inform critical analysis of modern societies. Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism and Structuralism are the key theoretical perspectives addressed within the module.The module is organised around two strands;(I) the origins and and socio-economic structures within which social studies has evolved;(ii) the construction of social identities in terms of citizenship, class, ethnicity, family, gender, race and sexuality.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the core concepts of the theoretical perspectives examined within the module.
2. Debate and defend a theoretically informed social analysis of a chosen topic within a seminar context.
3. Recognise the key determinants of social change.
4. Write a concise and logical seminar report.
5. Apply contrasting theoretical perspectives to social questions within a written assignment.
6. Reference assignments and seminar reports according to the Harvard System.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecturer supervised learning	25	Weekly Lecture
Seminars	12	Seminars: Attentance and Participation
Independent learning time	90	Reading, Research and Writing
Assignment	35	Essay
On-line learning	40	Use of course-related material on Moodle
Library	30	Accessing academic texts and journals
Assignment	18	Seminar presentation
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Understanding Families.
Gender, and Sexualities.

Origins and Meanings of Social Studies.
Sociological Perspectives.

Sociology of Class and Stratification.
Key Features of Capitalist Societies.

Consumption and Consumerism.
Globalisation and New Imperialism.

Race and Ethnicity.
Sociology of Religions.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Group presentation	Seminar Presentation	30%	Every Week
Essay	Acaemic Essay	70%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

CCS

BA in Contemporary Culture and Society

BA in Communication Studies