SO497     
MSc in Inequalities and Social Science Dissertation

This information is for the 2015/16 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Michael Savage STC.S210

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Inequalities and Social Science. This course is not available as an outside option.

These seminars are for students on the MSc in Inequalities and Social Science only.

Course content

These seminars aim to help you to begin the process of writing your dissertation. At the end of MT we will have four seminars that aim to get students thinking at a meta-level about research on inequalities and what might make for a good topic, including issues of theory, measurement and methods.  Please note that the MSc in Inequalities and Social Science takes a pluralist approach and does not seek to prescribe these or any other particular theories or methods. In LT we will hold dissertation workshop seminars that aim to give individually tailored guidance on proposed research questions in small groups with fellow students who are working on similar topics or using similar methods. Every student is required to make a formal presentation once during the term.

Teaching

6 hours of seminars in the MT. 15 hours of seminars in the LT.

Indicative reading

David Grusky, S Szelenyi ed. 2011. The Inequality Reader: Contemporary and Foundational Readings in Race, Class, and Gender . Westview Press

Tony Atkinson,  (2015), Inequality: what can be done?, Harvard UP.

Thomas Piketty, (2014), Capital in the 21st century, Harvard UP

Erik O. Wright. (2005) Approaches to Class Analysis, Cambridge UP

Collins, Patricia Hill. 2000. Black Feminist Thought. 2nd Edition. Boston: Unwin Hyman

Butler, Judith. [1990]2006. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. New York: Routledge.

Les Back and John Solomos (2000), Theories of Race and Racism: A Reader, Routledge

Assessment

Dissertation (100%, 10000 words) post-summer term.

Two hard copies of the dissertation, with submission sheets attached to each, to be handed in to the Administration Office, S116, no later than 16:00 on the 18th of August if you are a full-time student and in the subsequent year if you are a part-time student. An additional copy to be uploaded to Moodle no later than 18:00 on the same day.

Dissertations may be up to and no more than 10,000 words, must be word-processed and be fully referenced using a recognised citation system.

Key facts

Department: Sociology

Total students 2014/15: Unavailable

Average class size 2014/15: Unavailable

Controlled access 2014/15: No

Value: One 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
  • Commercial awareness
  • Specialist skills