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SOCL907: Social and Cultural Theory

Module convenor: Bulent Diken

Module Aims

Examine the ways in which different social theoretical perspectives approach their objects, and to consider the consequences of these differences.

The focus will be on the newer social theories.

Course Approach

We 'think with' a single theory/theorist, dealing with its most central concepts, assumptions and ideological implications. 

Topics Covered

This course is about social and cultural theory with emphasis on three main topics: an investigation of the nature of the object of social theory, that is, the social; key issues in contemporary social and cultural theory and the relationship between social theory; modernity and postmodernity.

Assessment:

One 5000-word essay.

Indicative Reading

  • Agamben, G (1998) Homo Sacer. Sovereign Power and Bare Life, Standford: Standford University Press
  • Bauman, Z (2000) Liquid Modernity, London: Polity
  • Boltanski, L (1999) Distant Suffering. Morality, Media and Politics, London: Cambridge University Press
  • Bourdieu, P. & Wacquant, L (1992) An Invitation to Reflexive Sociology, Cambridge: Polity
  • Callinicos, A (1999) Social Theory. A Historical Introduction, London: Polity Press
  • Deleuze, G (1995) Negotiations. New York: Columbia University Press
  • Latour. B (1993) We Have Never Been Modern, Harvard University Press
  • Speed and Politics, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press
  • Urry, J (2000) Sociology Beyond Societies (Routledge)
  • Zizek, S (1999) The Ticklish Subject; The Absent Centre of Political Ontology. London: Verso.

Student comments

The themes of the course are well designed and taught. At both very beginning and the end of the course, the tutor has illustrated an overarching structure of the social theories, so it was helpful for the students to grasp the whole ideas and to build connections between different theorists. -Yan Jin

 

 

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Degrees at a Glance

MA Sociology

MA Sociological Research

MA Media and Cultural Studies

MA Gender and Women's Studies

MA/MSC Environment, Culture and Society

Combined Masters Degree

 

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