Use of feature films and documentaries as case studies for student assessment in which students use the knowledge and skills developed in the module.
Module leader and all students taking the module.
Assessment 1 of the module requires students to watch at least one (of six or seven offered) feature film or documentary -- previously made available during timetabled film showings, and from this year via iptv. These films illustrate particular aspects of the sociological themes developed and explored in the module. Students are required to write a review of the film that does not simply analyse the film, but rather discusses 'how' and the extent to which the film illustrates these themes.
The module is SOC3074 "The Sociology of Evil". The module includes detailed examination, as case studies, of various events that have been described as evil (e.g. genocide, children who kill), and the use of sociological theory to understand why these events are so described, and how they occur. This knowledge can be very abstract, and many of the events we examine are, for obvious reasons, historical. However, to allow students to apply their knowledge and skills to a real problem of 'evil' would in practice risk exposing them to distressing or even dangerous topics in an uncontrolled way. The analysis of feature film or documentary accounts is a compromise, which enables me as module leader to remain in control of what students are exposed to, at the same time as enabling them to put their skills to practice.
Most students find this challenging to start with. They are uncertain of how to tackle the assessment, and for that reason I devote one seminar session as a workshop to giving them the support they need to approach the assessment with confidence. Feedback (from students and from seminar tutors) has been generally very positive. Students have commented that they have not felt they were asked to 'apply' sociological to a real (even if fictionalised) situation before, and the sophistication of perception and analysis needed was difficult for them but ultimately meant they felt much more confident in their ability to apply their knowledge and skills in real life.
Assessing the sociological analysis of evil
Assessment and Feedback, Skills and Employability
Undergraduate (Stage 3)
Geography, Politics and Sociology
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Individual students
In response to issues