Students
SOCI2010 – Theories of Modernity
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Harry Blatterer
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Modernity ushered in major social and political changes. In this unit, we will be examining how major social thinkers attempted to understand and explain the changes, ruptures and crises they saw unfold. Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Simmel – key figures in the development of Sociology – but also later theorists developed distinctive perspectives and conceptual apparatuses in their diagnoses of modernity and the experience of uncertainty that characterises modern life. Their work remains a vital source of illumination into tendencies and potentials of the contemporary world. But there are also tensions with the present, which we will explore in order to better understand the contexts of our own ‘modern’ lives. All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: identify the distinguishing figures, topics and texts of Social Theory and Sociology as a field of study and investigate its points of connection and disconnection in contemporary society
- ULO2: explain the origin, characteristics and complexity of modern societies.
- ULO3: articulate a coherent, developed account of what it means to live in modern societies.
- ULO4: analyse and critically assess a variety of primary texts within their historical, social and discursive contexts.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar Participation | 20% | No | Ongoing |
| Essay 1 | 40% | No | Week 7 |
| Essay 2 | 40% | No | Week 13 |
Seminar Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
Active engagement with original theoretical texts by way of close reading and peer discussion.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- identify the distinguishing figures, topics and texts of Social Theory and Sociology as a field of study and investigate its points of connection and disconnection in contemporary society
- explain the origin, characteristics and complexity of modern societies.
- articulate a coherent, developed account of what it means to live in modern societies.
- analyse and critically assess a variety of primary texts within their historical, social and discursive contexts.
Essay 1
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 40%
This research essay aims to give students the opportunity to show their comprehension of the material covered in the unit by way of a standard essay (Introduction, body, conclusion).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- identify the distinguishing figures, topics and texts of Social Theory and Sociology as a field of study and investigate its points of connection and disconnection in contemporary society
- explain the origin, characteristics and complexity of modern societies.
- articulate a coherent, developed account of what it means to live in modern societies.
- analyse and critically assess a variety of primary texts within their historical, social and discursive contexts.
Essay 2
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
This research essay aims to give students the opportunity to show their comprehension of the material covered in the unit by way of a standard essay (Introduction, body, conclusion).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- identify the distinguishing figures, topics and texts of Social Theory and Sociology as a field of study and investigate its points of connection and disconnection in contemporary society
- explain the origin, characteristics and complexity of modern societies.
- articulate a coherent, developed account of what it means to live in modern societies.
- analyse and critically assess a variety of primary texts within their historical, social and discursive contexts.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
This unit has a presence on ilearn (ilearn.mq.edu.au) and you will be required to have regular access to a reliable broadband internet connection and a computer.
Please refer to the iLearn page regularly.
There are weekly readings and discussion questions listed on iLearn.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
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