SOCI9033 Knowing the Social World

2016

4.5

1 x 50-minute lecture weekly
1 x 50-minute tutorial weekly

SOCI2010 has been successfully completed

Master of Arts (Sociology)

Sociologists develop knowledge about the social world. But what counts as knowledge? Is there something specific about sociological ways of knowing? Is all knowledge 'objective', or can social knowledge be 'non-objective'? ls knowledge divorced from meaning? How do cultural factors shape knowledge? These are some of the questions students will examine in this topic as they attempt to understand the social world and the philosophy and social factors behind sociological knowledge of it. Such an endeavour helps identify the strengths and limitations of various modes of theoretical and empirical research.

This topic aims to:

• introduce and explain the assumptions underlying various approaches to knowledge in the field of sociology
• analyse the essential role of theoretical understanding for all sociological research
• familiarise students with a selection of classical and contemporary debates in the sociology of knowledge
• familiarize students with the importance of cultural frameworks for knowledge formation

On successful completion of this topic, students should be able to:

• comprehend the assumptions underlying a variety of perspectives, theories and methodologies in sociology
• appreciate the essential role of theoretical understanding for all sociological research
• critically engage with a selection of classical and contemporary sociological and approaches to knowledge