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Semester 1

Sociology of Emotions (SCIL10072)

Subject

Sociology

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting students must have completed at least 2 Social Science courses (i.e. Sociology, Politics, Social Policy, Social Anthropology, African Studies, American Studies, Gender/Queer Studies) at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses. **Please see Additional Restrictions below**

Course Summary

Feelings are things we usually think of as 'natural', but sociologists are interested in to what extent emotions are socially constructed and/or socially constituting. In this course we examine why sociologists have largely neglected emotions and what a sociological approach can bring to our understanding of them. This will enable us to explore how the sociology of emotions can challenge some of sociology's key premises and ways of thinking and to critically analyse debates about the changing role of emotions in social life. The topic examines how modernity has made people feel about each other and their world and how those feelings have in turn shaped that world.

Course Description

Feelings are things we usually think of as 'natural', but sociologists are interested in to what extent emotions are socially constructed and/or socially constituting. In this course we examine why sociologists have largely neglected emotions and what a sociological approach can bring to our understanding of them. This will enable us to explore how the sociology of emotions can challenge some of sociology's key premises and ways of thinking and to critically analyse debates about the changing role of emotions in social life. The topic examines how modernity has made people feel about each other and their world and how those feelings have in turn shaped that world. Key readings may alter each year, but useful texts to begin with include: Bendelow, G. and Williams, S. J. (eds) (1998) Emotions in Social Life: Critical Themes and Contemporary Issues. London: Routledge. Burkitt, I. (2014) Emotions and Social Relations. London: Sage.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 0%, Coursework 100%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Restrictions

This course is high-demand, meaning that there is a very high number of students wishing to enrol in a very limited number of spaces. Enrolment is managed by the Visiting Student Office, in line with the quotas allocated by the departments, and all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. It is NOT appropriate for students to contact the department directly to request additional spaces.

view the timetable and further details for this course