This module introduces students to some of the most influential ways of thinking about self and identity, drawing on both sociology and psychology. It deals with key dimensions of identity in contemporary life such as gender; work; sexuality; race; ethnicity; understandings of mental health; connections with places such as nations, cities and the globalised world; spirituality and religion. It explores the inseparable interweaving of society and the psyche; the psychological and the socio-political; collective forces and universal human drives. It places the ongoing process of constructing the self in the foreground in attempts to understand people's behaviour and development more generally. The very notion of the ‘self' is treated as an interactive, social phenomenon. The first part of the module considers the questions such as ‘what is the self?' and ‘how does the self arise?' The second part goes on to focus on a number of social dimensions which pattern selfhood. Students' employability is enhanced through the development of presentation skills as well as the ongoing development of analytical and critical skills through discussion and written work.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The Module is taught by means of a weekly Lecture, Seminar and Reading Workshop, each one hour long. The Lectures present key concepts and thematic approaches; and contextulise them in relation to the aims of the Module. The Seminars are focused on application and discussion of these concepts in relation to additional topical stimuli such as newspaper articles, videos or research findings: these Seminars develop students' analytical abilities while also consolidating their understanding of the concepts. The Reading Workshops provide an opportunity for students to discuss Required Readings each Week, developing their ability to engage critically with relevant literature. These Workshops further develop students' understanding of the topics.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | Lecture (1 hr) Seminar (1 hr) Reading Workshop (1 hour) | 22 22 22 |
Guided independent study | Reading, group work and preparing for assessment. | 234 |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
The main elements of assessment are a summative two-hour unseen Exam at the end of the Module; a summative 20-minute unseen Class Test during Teaching Block 1; and a summative mark for Student Engagement in Reading Workshops over Teaching Block 2 focused on preparation for the formative Presentation. As well as receiving formative feedback on their Presentations, students receive formative feedback on a Mock Exam over Teaching Block 2. The first assessment, the summative Class Test, takes place before the end of Teaching Block 1: this tests students' knowledge and understanding of the topics; and provides an early means of monitoring their progress. The students begin to contribute to their summative Student Engagement mark in Teaching Block 2, working in groups towards formative Presentations which assess analytical ability as well as knowledge and understanding; these accordingly develop transferable skills which contribute to students' employability. The formative Mock Exam also takes place in Teaching Block 2, assessing students' critical and discursive capabilities in preparation for the final summative Exam.
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
Compare and contrast sociological and psychological perspectives on human behaviour | Student Engagement (summative) Presentation (formative) Mock Exam (formative) Exam (summative) |
Demonstrate a critical awareness of how sociological and psychological perspectives can complement each other | Student Engagement (summative) Presentation (formative) Mock Exam (formative) Exam (summative) |
Make use of the resulting approach in analysing a range of dimensions of contemporary identity | Student Engagement (summative) Presentation (formative) Mock Exam (formative) Exam (summative) |
Present the outcomes of these analyses effectively both orally, in front of an audience; and in writing | Student Engagement (summative) Presentation (formative) Mock Exam (formative) Exam (summative) |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
CWK | Student Engagement | 10 |
EXWR | Examination | 60 |
EXT | In Class Test | 30 |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS a requirement that the major category of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module