Module: Sociology and Everyday Life
Week 1 – Introduction & Module Overview
Some of the stuff you learn in this module will help with what you are learning in the
Understanding Social Change module. With Understanding Social Change, you are
taught a lot of abstract ideas.
About the module
It’s not a compulsory module so you do not have to pass this module in order to get
your sociology degree, but you still need to get enough credits to pass the
programme.
Introduction
It doesn’t look at the big picture; it’s about looking at personal things.
It takes a qualitative methodology – asking people’s take on something.
Micro-theory
High theory – what are the forces going on in society; it’s not interested in going
out and collecting research.
Middle-range theory – empirical work (collecting data), collection of evidence,
field work.
Micro-theory – looking at the interactions between individuals, structural factors
involved, how people are making sense of the world around them. Example:
WhatsApp group
Module focus
This module deals with the everyday, the normal and even the mundane parts of
our lives.
What we do in our lives that we don’t even think about
Example: who goes shopping? Which gender goes shopping? Research
suggests that women do more routine shops.
Discover inequalities in everyday life
, Aspects that are often overlooked
Encouraging you to think about your own experiences
You are encouraged to write ‘I’ and use your own experiences in this module
Example
Through dog walking and thinking about it, we can learn a lot about our society.
Things like interactions with humans and non-humans (other pets and
technology).
Social relationship goes beyond humans
Relationships with other modules
The modules complement one another – they give you a different view of
sociology.
This module has elements of theory and you will be writing a document about a
specific topic.
Example – Structure/Agency
What’s the most important thing in society?
Are we moulded by social forces beyond our control?
The Practice of Everyday Life (1984) by Michel De Certeau is a very influential
book
Strategies – suggests that structures is most important in everyday life.
Tactics – finding a way around the system, to use to our own advantage.
There is a constant struggle between strategies and tactics
We display agency when we resist
Essay & Presentations
Presentation worth 20% - you are to record the presentation and upload it onto
Moodle. No more than 4 people in each group. Need to let tutor know your group
by week 3.
Essay worth 80% – it can be the same topic as the presentation
Week 1 – Introduction & Module Overview
Some of the stuff you learn in this module will help with what you are learning in the
Understanding Social Change module. With Understanding Social Change, you are
taught a lot of abstract ideas.
About the module
It’s not a compulsory module so you do not have to pass this module in order to get
your sociology degree, but you still need to get enough credits to pass the
programme.
Introduction
It doesn’t look at the big picture; it’s about looking at personal things.
It takes a qualitative methodology – asking people’s take on something.
Micro-theory
High theory – what are the forces going on in society; it’s not interested in going
out and collecting research.
Middle-range theory – empirical work (collecting data), collection of evidence,
field work.
Micro-theory – looking at the interactions between individuals, structural factors
involved, how people are making sense of the world around them. Example:
WhatsApp group
Module focus
This module deals with the everyday, the normal and even the mundane parts of
our lives.
What we do in our lives that we don’t even think about
Example: who goes shopping? Which gender goes shopping? Research
suggests that women do more routine shops.
Discover inequalities in everyday life
, Aspects that are often overlooked
Encouraging you to think about your own experiences
You are encouraged to write ‘I’ and use your own experiences in this module
Example
Through dog walking and thinking about it, we can learn a lot about our society.
Things like interactions with humans and non-humans (other pets and
technology).
Social relationship goes beyond humans
Relationships with other modules
The modules complement one another – they give you a different view of
sociology.
This module has elements of theory and you will be writing a document about a
specific topic.
Example – Structure/Agency
What’s the most important thing in society?
Are we moulded by social forces beyond our control?
The Practice of Everyday Life (1984) by Michel De Certeau is a very influential
book
Strategies – suggests that structures is most important in everyday life.
Tactics – finding a way around the system, to use to our own advantage.
There is a constant struggle between strategies and tactics
We display agency when we resist
Essay & Presentations
Presentation worth 20% - you are to record the presentation and upload it onto
Moodle. No more than 4 people in each group. Need to let tutor know your group
by week 3.
Essay worth 80% – it can be the same topic as the presentation
