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This module is discontinued in the selected year. The information shown below is for the academic year that the module was last running in, prior to the year selected.

2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP3940 Class in Everyday Life

20 creditsClass Size: 90

Module manager: Prof Tracy Shildrick
Email: t.shildrick

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

At least 20 credits at Level 1and 2 (40 in total) from a social science related discipline or the appropriate discovery theme.

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This 20 credit module explores the continued relevance of class in the late modern, post-industrial period. It examines the role of class in the context of deindustrialisation, individualisation and the neoliberal moment which have pronounced its death. This module reasserts the continued relevance of class today and looks at how it manifests in our everyday lives through such things as our relationships, job, health and clothes and endures as a key mode of inequality and identity in the UK. It examines the ongoing fissures between cultural and economic/ phenomenological and material relations of class which have beset analysis and explores how these might be understood using various theoretical frameworks to explore the remaking of class subjects and show how class still matters.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to ...

-Assess the continued relevance of the role of class analysis within social theory and social life
- Analyse the phenomenological and material experiences of class and problems of structure and agency in theory and analysis
- Use class as a critical lens to explore various aspects of social life and investigate its empirical manifestations

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should

- gain an understanding of foundations of class analysis from Marxist, and Weberian traditions and contemporary Bourdieusian perspectives;
- develop an understanding of contemporary sociological debates on how class is changing, disappearing or being reproduced within societies.
- develop a class based critique of key areas of research and social life from the perspective of class.
- Appreciate how class intersects with various social issues and factors
- Develop an understanding of empirical research and evidence of inequalities related to class;

Skills outcomes
• gain an understanding of classic and contemporary social theory;
• develop an understanding of contemporary sociological debates on inequalities;
• develop an ability for critical analysis of key areas of research and social life;
• Develop an ability to evaluate empirical research and evidence of inequalities.


Syllabus

This 11 week course begins by developing theoretical foundations of class analysis and knowledge of key historical, political and intellectual moments that have seemingly undermined its relevance before going on to explore and assess the continued relevance of class in current everyday life.

Lectures 1-4
Introduction to the key theoretical debates in class analysis beginning with foundational theorists Marx, Weber, through to Bourdieu and contemporary Cultural Class theorists such as Savage, Skeggs and Reay and individualisation theories via Beck, Giddens and Bauman. It will present and consider the role of hegemony as a tool for reasserting and examining class today in late modern neoliberal times.

Lecture 5-11
Then each week will explore the contemporary relevance and manifestations of class in relation to substantive topics. These include: gender; intimacy; work; crime; health and disability, culture and media. Students will explore the current ways in which class is experienced via old and new inequalities and identity formation in everyday life.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Seminar101.0010.00
Private study hours179.00
Total Contact hours21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

In addition to the 21 contacts hours, 179 hours will be through directed private study. This includes:

Weekly tutorial preparation (weekly 500 word contribution) = 40 hours
Weekly preparation (reading) = 40 hours
Weekly preparation (research) 29 hours
Preparation for essay = 70 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through continual assessment via seminars contributions
3 x 500 word literature reviews 7 x 500 empirical diary contributions and a 3000 word essay.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay3,000 words90.00
Reflective log1,000 words10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2017

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