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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2010/2011
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Sociology

Undergraduate Course: Genetics, Nature and Society (SCIL10057)

Course Outline
School School of Social and Political Science College College of Humanities and Social Science
Course type Standard Availability Available to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken) SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) Credits 20
Home subject area Sociology Other subject area None
Course website None Taught in Gaelic? No
Course description From a sociological perspective, this course explores the social and cultural contexts in which knowledge and technologies relating to human and plant genetics have developed, and how these developments are in turn shaping society and culture. Through topics such as stem cell research, genetically modified organisms and animal-human cross-species entities, key themes pursued throughout the course are the role of genetics in shifting constructions of identity, health, illness and disability, the 'natural' and the social. In focussing on these issues, the course will examine classificatory processes for making sense of new and controversial developments, constructions of 'expertise' and lay-expert relations. The course introduces key sociological concepts such as geneticisation, risk and eugenics and explores their significance for understanding developments in genetics from a sociological perspective.
Entry Requirements
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites Visiting students should have at least 3 Sociology or closely related courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
CentralLecture1-11 16:10 - 18:00
First Class Week 1, Thursday, 16:10 - 18:00, Zone: Central. Seminar Room 5 (B.01), CMB
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate through written work, oral presentations, practical assignments and other contributions in class, that they:
- understand the range of competing interests shaping developments in genetic knowledges and technologies
- have knowledge of key conceptual tools and theoretical approaches to the study of human genetics from a sociological perspective
- have a strong grasp of the political aspects of lay-expert relations vis-a-vis democracy and inclusion/exclusion and how a sociological analysis can contribute to public debates on these issues.
Assessment Information
Assessment will be by short paper (25%) and choice of long essay (75%).
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
Keywords Not entered
Contacts
Course organiser Prof David Castle
Tel: (0131 6)50 2449
Email: David.Castle@ed.ac.uk
Course secretary Ms Sue Renton
Tel: (0131 6)50 6958
Email: Sue.Renton@ed.ac.uk
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copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 31 January 2011 8:19 am