Module Details |
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module. |
Title | Politics, Society and the State: Classic and Contemporary Ethnographies | ||
Code | SOCI325 | ||
Coordinator |
Dr MD Mair Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology Michael.Mair@liverpool.ac.uk |
||
Year | CATS Level | Semester | CATS Value |
Session 2020-21 | Level 6 FHEQ | First Semester | 15 |
Aims |
|
(A1) Provide an overview of ethnographic reserach traditions within the social and political sciences through an exploration of classic and contemporary studiesand their contributions to understanding of politics, society, government and state. (A2) Offer an introduction to conducting ethnographic studies and analysing teh results through lectures, seminars and first-hand experience of doing observational research. (A3) Show that sustained, in-depth observation, and the 'thick description' it generates, can be used to establish new ways of thinking about many of the central topics of sociology, social policy, anthropology, political science and beyond: including the state, government, democracy, justice, power, culture, organisation, order, rationality, accountability and risk - as well as their dark 'others': injustice, violence, disorganization, disorder, disaster, irrationality, corruption, venality and greed. (A4) Demonstrate that, as studen ts of social and political life, we have as much to learnfrom studies of, for example, African or Native American/First Nation societies of the past as from studies of globalised capitalist societies today. |
Learning Outcomes |
|
(LO1) Demonstrate knowledge of the kinds of ethnographic traditions that can be found in social and political studies of government and the 'relationships of rule' in sociology, social policy, anthropology, political science and beyond. |
|
(LO2) Conduct a small-scale observational study of politics-in-action and report back on it. |
|
(LO3) Work observational data up under different theoretical, methodological and analytical frames. |
|
(LO4) Outline the contributions of ethnographic research to understandings of politics, society and the emergence of new forms of governmental activity. |
|
(S1) Conducting observational research. |
|
(S2) Writing up observational data. |
|
(S3) Analysing observational data and reflecting on its value. |
|
(S4) Comparing and contrasting different analytical approaches to observational data. |
|
(S5) Understanding and communicating to others through written accounts of observational research. |
Syllabus |
|
Classic and contemporary ethnographic traditions Social exchange and political capital, The politics of (mis)understanding Politics as custom, ritual Government, policy as practice The return of the state |
Teaching and Learning Strategies |
|
Teaching Method 1 - Lecture Teaching Method 2 - Seminar Teaching Method 3 - Observational Research Mixed, hybrid delivery, with social distancing on campus, |
Teaching Schedule |
Lectures | Seminars | Tutorials | Lab Practicals | Fieldwork Placement | Other | TOTAL | |
Study Hours |
11 |
11 |
5 |
27 | |||
Timetable (if known) | |||||||
Private Study | 123 | ||||||
TOTAL HOURS | 150 |
Assessment |
||||||
EXAM | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
CONTINUOUS | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
Assessment 1 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :1 | -2500 words | 100 |
Recommended Texts |
|
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module. |