production
Skip to Content

SO4051: EUROPEAN SOCIETIES (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

The course aims to give an overview of European issues and current debates.  It provides a deeper insight into how European issues affect our lives and why this matters.  It addresses current issues of concern such as Brexit, migration, Coronavirus, family and work in comparative perspective.  In doing so it blends together sociological and social policy approaches.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Claire D. Wallace

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of International Relations (IR) (Studied) or Politics (PI) (Studied) or Sociology (SO) (Studied)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Programme Level 4

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • SO4566 European Societies (Passed)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course covers a wide range of topics from a European perspectives. Topics such as Brexit, Coronavirus, the new nationalism, national and European identities, cosmopolitanism, migration, xenophobia and racism, citizenship, family and demography, welfare systems, European employment regimes and policies and European culture and values. These topics build on each other to offer a comprehensive and inter-disciplinary approach to European issues. Spread over the first semester, there are two recorded lectures  with quizzes each week and tutorials of not more than 10 students to ensure individual attention.  The tutorials are spread through the day so that they can be joined online from different parts of the world if required.  Assessment is based upon 5 short essays delivered through the course, one longer essay at the end and presentations in the tutorial groups. The course is quite demanding in terms of time and assessments so students should be prepared to work hard on a weekly basis. 


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

5 short essays - 15% each

Course Essay - 25%

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandDevelop an understanding of the current theories and ideas related to literature and debates around European Societies.
FactualAnalyseDevelop an ability to critically assess trends and issues arising at a European level.
ConceptualEvaluateDevelop an ability to evaluate current issues and debates around Europe in academic and popular literature.
FactualCreateCreate powerpoint presentation and present it to the group. Demonstrate an ability to process, summarise and present information.

Compatibility Mode

We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.