PO1CSP: Contemporary Social Problems

Module code: PO1CSP

Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: 4

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Amanda Hall , email: amanda.hall@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module examines some of the key social problems with which contemporary Western societies are grappling, considering the social forces out of which they emerge and how they might be addressed.  It explores competing understandings of what constitutes a social problem, the different ways in which social problems are approached by policy-makers, the media, and the public, and considers how the strengths and weaknesses of policy responses might be evaluated.  Prominent examples of social problems are unemployment, poverty, knife crime, abortion, affordable housing, mental illness, and eating disorders, but students will also be supported to identify and explore specific social problems that they are interested in.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify a range of social problems facing contemporary Western societies
2. Provide a sociologically-informed analysis of the social forces driving these problems, drawing on relevant theoretical and conceptual ideas
3. Reflect on which problems resonate most with their own experiences how these experiences may shape their attitudes and assumptions
4. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of potential solutions to specific social problems

Module content

This module will take an applied approach, exploring how sociological thinking can inform the analysis of specific social problems.  It will consider of the conceptual challenges which arise when we seek to define and identify ‘social problems’, introduce the key theoretical approaches (such as functionalism and social constructionism) which can be drawn might be drawn upon to analyse social problems, and examine different ways in which the public, media, and policy-makers approach social problems.  Drawing on case studies of selected social problems and actual or proposed policy responses, it will support students to reflect on their own experiences and values and how these may shape their responses to particular social problems.  Indicative topics include unemployment, poverty, knife crime, abortion, affordable housing, mental illness, and eating disorders.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be delivered principally through lectures which provide core information and seminars in which the issues are explored and discussed in more detail.  Both lectures and seminars will require preparatory reading.

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs