University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This seminar module is designed to promote inquiry based learning, to enhance practical scholarship skills while engaging with real world problems. Students work in small groups under the guidance of a seminar leader. Students are introduced to critical reading, taking effective notes, gathering information and using the library, online sources and Blackboard, working in groups, preparing and writing assignments, using academic language, and revising and taking exams. There is an explicit focus on topics of religion, social inequalities, crime and deviance, and environmental problems and solutions.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Critically read sociological texts
  2. Write well-structured and coherent assignments that meet academic standards
  3. Use diverse learning tools and sources for information gathering (e.g. books, journal articles, online sources, Blackboard)
  4. Actively participate in small-group sessions and in-class discussions
  5. Understand sociological perspectives on religion, social inequality, crime and deviance, and environmental issues.
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Sociology" by John J. Macionis,Kenneth Plummer
    ISBN: 9780273727910.
    Publisher: Financial Times/Prentice Hall
  2. "First Year Sociological and Political Studies – Sociology Textbook" by 2013
    ISBN: 978-1-78365-6.
    Publisher: Compiled by Vesna Malesevic.
  3. "A Sociology of Ireland" by Perry Share,Hilary Tovey,Mary P. Corcoran
    ISBN: 9780717142101.
    Publisher: Gill & MacMillan
The above information outlines module SP1121: "Practicing Sociology" and is valid from 2023 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.