University of Roehampton (RU)

Seminar notes on week 9 of the module Understanding Social Change. This is a Sociology degree module. This document contains notes on: Anthony Giddens, What is modernity for Giddens? What is the problem with modernity for Giddens? Ontological security, How do we get round this problem of ontological insecurity? Does society exist for Giddens? Quiz questions on Giddens, Anomic consciousness, Gidden’s notion of society, Basic theoretical orientation of Gidden’s theory of structuration.

Seminar notes on week 8 of the module Understanding Social Change. This is a Sociology degree module. Topics covered: the notes focuses on early Feminism, What is Gender? The Goals of Feminist Sociology, Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

Seminar notes on week 7 of the module Understanding Social Change. This is a Sociology degree module. Topics covered: Michel Foucault’s Basic Concepts, Intellectual Influences, and Theoretical Orientation, quiz questions on Foucault, What is power? Criticisms, issues & questions raised by reading Foucault.

Seminar notes on week 6 of the module Understanding Social Change. This is a Sociology degree module. Topics covered: Max Weber, verstehen, Weber identifies four different forms of social actions (tradition, affective, value-oriented & instrumental).

Seminar notes to week 5 of the module Understanding Social Change. This is a Sociology degree module. Topics covered: Georg Simmel, Quiz questions on Georg Simmel, Web of Association, What are social forms for Simmel? Simmel’s Web of Group Affiliation.

Seminar notes to week 4 of the module Understanding Social Change. This is a sociology degree module. Topics covered: Durkheim, Division of Labour, Why do you think that the division of labour was crucial to society for Durkheim? Quiz questions on Durkheim, Interdependence, the main differences between Durkheim’s types of solidarity in society.

Seminar notes to week 3 of the module Understanding Social Change. This is a sociology degree module. Topics covered: Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, The Souls of Black Folk, legacy of slavery according to Du Bois, Did Du Bois & Booker T. Washington have similar ideas about the future of black people?

Seminar notes to week 2 of the module Understanding Social Change. This is a Sociology degree module. Topics covered: What happened to bring about capitalism? What was Marx’s understanding about societal change? Why would a false consciousness not necessarily be a bad thing for Marx? If Capitalism is a stage onto Communism, why aren’t we there yet? What is private property? What did Marx admire about capitalism and the drive for profit? What is the relationship between Capitalists’ desire ...

Seminar notes to week 1 of the module Understanding Social Change. This is a Sociology degree module. Topics covered: Introduction to theory, The Enlightenment, Structure/Agency, Jogging in the park - is that structure or agency? Person in a suit queuing for the bus to work - is that structure or agency? ‘Conflict’ & ‘Consensus’ Models of Order, What is the Source of Social Order (who’s in charge)? How is Social Order (Modernity) characterised? How do we explain culture & shared values...

Lecture notes on week 1, 2 and 3 of the module Understanding Social Change. This is a Sociology degree module. Lecture 1 gives an introduction to sociological theory: What is theory? What is sociological theory? Key Terms, What is theory for? How is theory created? Modernity, The racialisation of capitalism. Lecture 2 notes contains a summary of Karl Marx, Capitalism, False Consciousness, Marxist class analysis. Lecture 3 notes contains a summary of Du Bois, Double Consciousness and Racism.