Peer Review

Understanding contemporary society

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Jan 20, 2017 by Sociology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This is a module framework. It can be viewed online or downloaded as a zip file. This module introduces students to a range of approaches in social analysis. Through introductions to key concepts, theorists and research studies in the disciplines of sociology, cultural studies and social policy, students will be equipped with the skills necessary for more advanced study of contemporary society. Two routes to reading this module's contents are offered. Those who prefer to read on screen can navigate to each section of interest using the links and menus provided while a full print version is also available for those who prefer to read offline and from paper.
Type of Material:: Online Course.
Recommended Uses:: With the exception of the text, the materials on this site include everything needed to teach a course in understanding contemporary society. It includes an overview statement that outlines aims and objectives. It includes readings lists, lecture handouts and assignment descriptions.
Technical Requirements:: This is a module framework. It can be viewed online or downloaded as a zip file. You will need Microsoft word to view the files.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Students should develop a knowledge and understanding of key concepts and theoretical approaches that have been developed and are developing within social analysis, the distinctiveness of, and relationship between, the disciplines of sociology, cultural studies and social policy,the role of cultural processes and media forms in social life, and social diversity and inequality, and their impact on the lives of individuals and groups.
Target Student Population:: Undergraduate sociology courses.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: None.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: Excellent outline of materials and good reference materials. The learning materials are well organized. They include current and relevant information and readings lists, provide accurate information and cover concepts.
Concerns:: An outline and references only - difficult to build on as resources are rather specific, especially for later lectures.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: Good list of references and resources. The module framework identifies learning objectives, builds on prior concepts, is efficient and includes mechanisms for measuring student learning outcomes.
Concerns:: Minimal content in itself - only a paragraph explains the lecture.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: It has clear instructions, is easy to use, meets accessibility requirements and is a very usable resource.
Concerns:: It is not highly engaging, interactive or visually appealing. Students would likely find it to be a bit boring or lacking in varied approaches to learning.

Other Issues and Comments:: The material is good as it stands, but it is what it says - an outline of a course. It is a skeleton with little flesh, so to speak. It has almost all of the necessary objects of a full course, but it is not really an online course in the sense of it being a place to submit assignments, have discussions etc. It is really a collection of word documents containing all of the material and resources to teach the class. You can download all of the documents in a zip file to use.
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