2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP3740 Reading the Classics

20 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr Ian Varcoe
Email: i.m.varcoe@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Pre-requisite qualifications

Normally 40 credits at level 2 from programmes of study within the Faculty of ESSL or related disciplines.

Pre-requisites

SLSP2730

Central Problems in Sociology

Module replaces

SLSP2740 Reading the Classics

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

Do you want to carry out an in-depth, textual and contextual study of sociology's classical, 'founding' figures: Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber? Would you like to feel confident in your grasp of sociology's founding idea-systems, which will give strength to any other work you are undertaking in the discipline of sociology and afford you unrivalled confidence that you know what this discipline is `all about', since it is defined principally by its changing relationship to certain works regarded widely as canonical?. The module treats the founding figures `monographically': each classical figure's works are discussed by a specialist lecturer. Key interpretative debates are also introduced and there is an opportunity for comparative study as well as tackling the current topic of `the role of the classics and do we need them?', in sociology. Knowledge gained can be deployed in many specialist areas in sociology which take their grounding from classical themes and debates around these. The classics and secondary interpretations of them will form the basis for seminar discussion while lectures will discuss each author separately for a total of six lectures each. Contact: Dr Ian Varcoe i.m.varcoe@leeds.ac.uk or undergradsociologysocialpolicy@leeds.ac.uk

Objectives

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

1) Demonstrate an in depth knowledge of the theoretical contributions to sociology of Marx, Durkheim and Weber, and the intellectual contexts in which these contributions developed.

2) Interpret and analyse the original texts of Marx, Durkheim and Weber, and their intellectual development as it pertains to the development of sociology as a discipline.

3) Analyse and critically evaluate competing sociological interpretations of the original texts of Marx, Durkheim and Weber, their intellectual development, and the debates around their status as 'classical' sociological theorists.

4) Further develope their skills of written and verbal communication of theoretical arguments in sociology.

Skills outcomes
Oral and written presentation skills, research skill, IT skills.Oral and written presentation skills, research skill, IT skills.

Syllabus

Marx's early writings on alienation; historical materialism; capitalist development and class society; the political economy of capitalism; politics, ideology and the state; problems in reading Marx. Durkheim's theory of social solidarity and division of labour; Durkheim's Sociology and its method; suicide and social integration; sociology of religion and knowledge; reading and re-reading Durkheim. Politics and sociology in the work of Max Weber; the problem of capitalist development; religion and capitalism; Weber's sociological ideas; modern politics; social development; the scope and limits of sociology; the intellectual context of Weber's sociology.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Tutorial	10	10.00	10.00
Private study hours			170.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

40 hours preparing for lectures, 60 hours preparing for tutorials, 60 hours preparing for essays and exams, 10 hours on independent research for presentations.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Tutorial presentations.
2 x 1,500 word formative essays

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

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: 18/01/2010

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