1. An overview of contemporary developments in social theory, concentrating especially on those that raise issues of general relevance across the arts and social sciences eg 'post-empiricism', structuralism and post-structuralism, feminist theory, postmodernity (Lyotard, Baudrillard) and the critiques and defence of modernity (Giddens, Jameson, Habermas,Foucaut,Nietzsche,Deleuze,Bergson,Serres)
2. A more in-depth consideration of selected topics in or areas of contemporary social theory, including: Interpretive sociology/hermeneutics, feminist theory, reflexive modernization and risk society, postcolonial theory, history and modernism, neo-Marxism, critical theory and postmodernism, globalization, structuralism and poststructuralism, structuration theory, actor-network theory,cybertheory.

Taking as the departure for each essay a substantive issue raised in the module, and pursuing its wider implications within a contemporary social theory framework.

The first coursework essay 45% [Learning Outcomes 1 & 2]
The second essay 45% [Learning Outcomes 1 & 3]
Completing work tasks online and interacting with other students online concerning the tasks 10% [Learning Outcomes 1-3]

The course will follow a series of small individual modulettes, each of which has a specific specialism and is overseen by an academic specialist. Learning will be accommodated through on-line discussion, reading and assimilation of on-line articles and mandatory readings, visuals etc, mini-lectures or seminars and student discussion groups.

Blackboard facilities
On line journals
Web links to video/DVD/aural footage
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Baudrillard J (1981) Simulations (Galilee)
Baudrillard J (1989) America (Verso)
Bauman Z (1999) Culture as Praxis (Sage)
Beck U, Giddens A and Lash S (1994) Reflexive Modernization (Polity)
Berman M(1983) All that is Solid Melts into Air (Verso)
Bourdieu P (1984) Distinction (Routledge)
Bryant C and Jary D (1991) Giddens' Structuration Theory (Routledge)
Butler J (1990) Gender Trouble (Routledge)
Derrida J (1973) Speech and Phenomena (Northwestern UP)
Elias N(1994) The Civilising Process (Blackwell)
Foucault M (1976) The History of Sexuality (Penguin)
Giddens A (1991) The Consequences of Modernity (Polity)
Habermas J (1975) Legitimation Crisis (Beacon)
Harvey D (1989) The Condition of Postmodernity (Blackwell)
Lyotard J-F(1993) Libidinal Economy (Athlone)
O'Neill J (1992) The Poverty of Postmodernism (Routledge)
Kennedy B & Bel D (2007)The Cybercultures Reader (Routledge)