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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Sociology

Undergraduate Course: Sociology of Emotions (SCIL10072)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryFeelings are things we usually think of as 'natural', but sociologists are interested in to what extent emotions are socially constructed and/or socially constituting. In this course we examine why sociologists have largely neglected emotions and what a sociological approach can bring to our understanding of them. This will enable us to explore how the sociology of emotions can challenge some of sociology's key premises and ways of thinking and to critically analyse debates about the changing role of emotions in social life. The topic examines how modernity has made people feel about each other and their world and how those feelings have in turn shaped that world.
Course description Feelings are things we usually think of as 'natural', but sociologists are interested in to what extent emotions are socially constructed and/or socially constituting. In this course we examine why sociologists have largely neglected emotions and what a sociological approach can bring to our understanding of them. This will enable us to explore how the sociology of emotions can challenge some of sociology's key premises and ways of thinking and to critically analyse debates about the changing role of emotions in social life. The topic examines how modernity has made people feel about each other and their world and how those feelings have in turn shaped that world. Key readings may alter each year, but useful texts to begin with include:
Bendelow, G. and Williams, S. J. (eds) (1998) Emotions in Social Life: Critical Themes and Contemporary Issues. London: Routledge.
Burkitt, I. (2014) Emotions and Social Relations. London: Sage.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have at least 2 social science courses (such as Sociology, Politics, Social Policy, Social Anthropology, etc) at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  55
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 20, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 176 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 25% short essay and 75% long essay
Feedback Students will receive feedback prior to writing their final essay in the form of a summative and formative assessment of the 1500-word essay they submit around Week 5. There will also be a revision session in week 11 where they will have the opportunity to get feedback from peers and the teaching team on their plans for the long essay.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Critically evaluate sociological debates about emotions
  2. Understand some of the ways in which emotions are expressed and represented in a variety of social and historical contexts
  3. Analyse the difference between a sociological approach to emotions and the approach of other disciplines, including methodological approaches
  4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas clearly when writing essays
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Julie Brownlie
Tel: (0131 6)51 3917
Email: Julie.Brownlie@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Emma Thomson
Tel: (0131 6)50 3932
Email: Emma.Thomson@ed.ac.uk
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