Not available in 2015/16
SO430      Half Unit
Economic Sociology

This information is for the 2015/16 session.

Teacher responsible

Teacher TBC

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Economy, Risk and Society , MSc in Political Sociology and MSc in Sociology. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Course content

The course offers a general introduction to the theoretical foundations of economic sociology, providing an opportunity to understand how sociologists engage with the study of complex socioeconomic issues.

Topics covered in the course include: critical approaches to economy and society; economic rationality; the sociology of economics; social capital; new economic sociology; economic conventions; changing forms of production and work; new economies; economic identities and divisions; markets and values.

Teaching

10 hours of lectures and 20 hours of seminars in the LT.

Formative coursework

A project overview due in week 7 of LT. Individual feedback sessions in office hours provided to check student project development.

Indicative reading

Recommended general texts: M Granovetter & R Swedberg (Eds), The Sociology of Economic Life; D Slater & F Tonkiss, Market Society: Markets and Modern Social Theory; N Smelser & R Swedberg (Eds), The Handbook of Economic Sociology; P Edwards & J Wajcman, The Politics of Working Life; V Nee & R Swedberg (Eds), The Economic Sociology of Capitalism. A detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Assessment

Project (100%, 4000 words) in the ST.

Two hard copies of the assessed project, with submission sheets attached to each, to be handed in to the Administration Office, S200, no later than 16:30 on the second Wednesday of Summer Term. An additional copy to be uploaded to Moodle no later than 18:00 on the same day.

Attendance at all workshop sessions and submission of all set coursework is required.

Student performance results

(2011/12 - 2013/14 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 27.4
Merit 52.6
Pass 17.9
Fail 2.1

Key facts

Department: Sociology

Total students 2014/15: 22

Average class size 2014/15: 21

Controlled access 2014/15: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills