SO224GC      Half Unit
The Sociology of Race and Empire (Spring Semester)

This information is for the 2020/21 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Sara Salem Room STC S218

Availability

This course is available with permission to General Course ‘Spring Semester’ students.

Course content

The course provides an introduction to theoretical and contemporary debates around race, racism and empire. It explores the main theoretical perspectives which have been used to analyse the production of race, racism and colonialism in a contemporary framework, touching on the role of historical events in creating difference, including the “discovery” of the Americas, the transatlantic slave trade, the expansion of European empires, and the Renaissance and Enlightenment among others, before examining in detail the lived areas within our contemporary social and political climate where analyses of ‘race’, racism, belonging and identity are urgently needed; as well as the ways in which various categories such as class, gender, sexuality, among others, intersect with race. The course adopts a global lens, focusing on theory and cases from across the world. Topics include: race and empire in social theory; colonialism, settler colonialism and post-colonialism; capitalism and race; intersectionality; food; tourism; technology; migration; and the role of resistance and future liberation in anti-racist movements.

Teaching

This course is delivered through a combination of lectures/seminars, online materials and classes totalling a minimum of 20 hours in LT.

Reading Weeks: Students on this course will have a reading week in LT Week 6, in line with departmental policy.

Formative coursework

One formative essay in LT.

Indicative reading

Assessment

Essay (100%, 3000 words) in the ST.

An electronic copy of the assessed essay, to be uploaded to Moodle, no later than 4.00pm on the third Thursday of Summer Term.  

Attendance at all classes and submission of all set coursework is required.

Key facts

Department: Sociology

Total students 2019/20: Unavailable

Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable

Capped 2019/20: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.