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 2022-23 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
Description: Hybrid - asynchronous pre-recorded lectures
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: These take place weekly and cover a diverse range of subjects.

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: Face to face synchronous seminars, safety permitting running from week 2.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: These also take place weekly and follow on directly from the lectures, providing opportunities for questions and discussion connected to lecture themes, the weekly readings and assessments.

Teaching Method 3 - Observational Research
Description:
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: The observational component of the module focuses on a political 'event', normally a full meeting of Liverpool City Council witnessed first-handor virtually via video as an example of politics in practice.

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    100       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.