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Overview

An introduction to the social scientific analysis of culture, society and identity, including issues of identity politics, socialisation, the self in everyday life, stigma, the politics of ethnicity and the social dynamics of power.

This paper introduces students to a range of key themes in the discipline of sociology. While it serves as a foundational paper for students who wish to major in sociology, many of the topics will complement the interests of students who are enrolled for degrees in Humanities, Law, Health Sciences, Commerce and Sciences. We will address the social processes of socialisation, social interaction and identity construction; core aspects of institutional life, such as the family, religion, education, politics and the economy; as well as drivers of social change, such as urbanisation, sustainability, globalisation and social movements.

About this paper

Paper title Cultural and Social Identities
Subject Sociology
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,103.10
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Schedule C
Arts and Music
Notes
May not be credited together with SOSC 101 passed before 2006.
Eligibility
Suitable for undergraduate students.
Contact

sgsc@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator and Lecturer: Associate Professor Marcelle Dawson
Teaching Fellow: Dr Natalie Smith

Paper Structure

The paper covers three core areas:

  • Basic social processes
  • Social institutions
  • Social change
Teaching Arrangements
Two 50-minute lectures per week
One 50-minute tutorial per week
Textbooks

Required: McManus, R. et al. 2019. Exploring Society: Sociology for New Zealand Students, 4th ed. Auckland: Auckland University Press.
Available as an eBook through the library. Limited hard copies are available on Course Reserve for SOCI 102.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

The goals of the paper are:

  • To understand the basic social processes that shape how we become members of the societies in which we live
  • To understand the relationship between structure and agency
  • To understand how identities are socially constructed
  • To learn about the major institutions in society and examine how we shape and are shaped by them
  • To examine social movements as drivers of social change
  • To explore the contested terrain of globalisation
  • To plan and write a scholarly essay
Assessment details

Assessment:
Internal assessment comprises 60% of the final grade, and the exam counts for 40%.

Overview

An introduction to the social scientific analysis of culture, society and identity, including issues of identity politics, socialisation, the self in everyday life, stigma, the politics of ethnicity and the social dynamics of power.

This paper introduces students to a range of key themes in the discipline of sociology. While it serves as a foundational paper for students who wish to major in sociology, many of the topics will complement the interests of students who are enrolled for degrees in Humanities, Law, Health Sciences, Commerce and Sciences. We will address the social processes of socialisation, social interaction and identity construction; core aspects of institutional life, such as the family, religion, education, politics and the economy; as well as drivers of social change, such as urbanisation, sustainability, globalisation and social movements.

About this paper

Paper title Cultural and Social Identities
Subject Sociology
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Schedule C
Arts and Music
Notes
May not be credited together with SOSC 101 passed before 2006.
Eligibility
Suitable for undergraduate students.
Contact

sgsc@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator and Lecturer: Professor Marcelle Dawson
Teaching Fellow: Dr Natalie Smith

Paper Structure

The paper covers three core areas:

  • Basic social processes
  • Social institutions
  • Social change
Teaching Arrangements
Two 50-minute lectures per week
One 50-minute tutorial per week
Textbooks

Required:

  • McManus, R. et al. 2019. Exploring Society: Sociology for New Zealand Students, 4th ed. Auckland: Auckland University Press.

Available as an eBook through the library. Limited hard copies are available on Course Reserve for SOCI 102.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

The goals of the paper are:

  • To understand the basic social processes that shape how we become members of the societies in which we live
  • To understand the relationship between structure and agency
  • To understand how identities are socially constructed
  • To learn about the major institutions in society and examine how we shape and are shaped by them
  • To examine social movements as drivers of social change
  • To explore the contested terrain of globalisation
  • To plan and write a scholarly essay
Assessment details

Assessment:
Internal assessment comprises 60% of the final grade and the exam counts for 40%.

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