Understanding the Social World: Key Concepts and Theories

Assignment Task

Define each of the following key terms and discuss the ways in which these terms help us to  understand the social world. Refer to relevant academic literature in your answers (i.e. cite  evidence from your weekly readings and textbook to support your points) and provide a reference list at the end of your work. Write 250 words for each of the following:  

• Qualitative and quantitative research
• Alienation
• Social movements
• Sustainability

This assignment has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following module learning outcomes:

LO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of emerging sociological issues

LO2 Demonstrate understanding of the principal debates relating to society, identity and diverse social groups

LO3 Demonstrate knowledge of research methods in sociological enquiry

Assignment task

Your task is to provide written answers to all questions in section 1 (worth 50% of assignment) and  to write an essay in answer to one question from section 2 (worth 50% of assignment).  

Social Science Scrutiny Committee

Answer ONE of the essay questions below. Refer to relevant academic literature in your answer  (i.e. cite evidence from your weekly readings, textbook and further reading to support your points).  Provide a reference list at the end of your essay. Your essay should be 1000 words long.   

1.‘Community and social cohesion are in decline in contemporary society.’ Discuss.  

2.Evaluate the work of TWO of the following thinkers in helping us to understand contemporary  societies:

a.Karl Marx

b.Max Weber

c.Emile Durkheim

d.Patricia Hill Collins

e.Erving Goffman

3.Discuss the role of religion in late modern societies.

4.“Some social groups enjoy much better health than others, and health inequalities are linked to  larger socio-economic patterns” (Giddens and Sutton (2017) p455). Discuss.

Please reference your work according to the Harvard style as defined in Cite Them Right Online  the essential reference guide. 11th edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Copies are available via the University library.

Psychology students may use the APA referencing system.

How your work will be assessed

Your work will be assessed on the extent to which it demonstrates your achievement of the stated learning  outcomes for this assignment (see above) and against other key criteria outlined below:

?Knowledge and understanding of key concepts and theories  

?Identification and use of relevant quality material in research  

?Knowledge and understanding of key debates on your chosen topics  

?Structure and coherence of essay and arguments   

?Academic writing  

This brief assignment checklist is designed to help you avoid some of the most common mistakes students make in their coursework.

HAVE YOU READ THE ASSIGNMENT BRIEF?      

In it you will find details of the assessment task, word count, the assessment criteria your work is marked against, and the learning outcomes – the basis for the assessment strategy in each module.

Students often lose marks by forgetting some of the more straightforward elements of their assignments. We recommend that you “tick off” each of the points below as you prepare your work for submission. If you need any help, ask your tutor and / or visit https://bucks.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/assessment-and-examination.

TICK

Have you read and understood the assessment criteria?

Have you met the learning outcomes? You will lose marks and your work may even   be failed if you have not.

Have you demonstrated you can think and write critically in the completed work?

Have you maintained an academic tone throughout your work? Is your work formal, focused, developed and clear?

Have you checked that the referencing in your assignment is in line with your programme requirements?  

Have you proof-read your work and used spellcheck software to check your spelling and grammar?

Have you checked the presentation of your work is as specified by your tutor, for example, are font size, colour, style, line spacing and margins as the tutor specified?

Have you kept to the word count (or equivalent)? If you are not sure, check with your tutor.

Can you confirm that the work submitted is your own and not plagiarised?