Social Analysis

Unit Synopsis

 

This unit is core and introduces the student to the study of social analysis. This unit provides foundational sociological perspectives to analyse, critique, and understand the individual, groups, and organisations within society. Contemporary social issues are examined through the application of theoretical frameworks such as Functionalism, Interactionism, Marxism, Feminism and Postmodernism. The unit expands these frameworks and applies them to key social categories and roles such as: the state, social inequality, the family, education, health, mass media, gender and ethnicity. Students are guided in the development of critical thinking and analysis to better understand themselves, others, groups and organisations within society.

 

Learning outcomes

 

• Define and describe key concepts that underpin social analysis
• Critically reflect on contemporary social issues
• Explain the impact of inequality in terms of class, gender and ethnicity
• Describe the impact of the family on the individual, groups, and society
• Critique the various theories of power, the state, and globalisation
• Explore and analyse the impact of mass media on society
• Analyse, evaluate and assess complex social issues
• Relate social theory to contemporary society

 

Content areas

 

• Analysing Society
• Classical Social Theory
• Durkheim and Functionalism
• Marx and Western Marxism
• Weber and Conflict Theory
• Simmel and Symbolic Interactionism
• Feminist Social Theory
• Postmodern Social Theory
• Queer Social Theory
• Critical Race and Postcolonial Social Theory
• Globalisation and Postsocial Theory
• Key Themes in Contemporary Social Theory

 

Unit Duration and Workload

This unit involves a total of 36 hours of face to face delivery of self directed study including educator contact in flexible delivery modes, generating a further 54 hours of self-study per unit including research and related study activities, including assessment. This translates to 7.5 hours per week for the unit.

 

Study method

On Campus, Distance Education and Online Education