module
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
SOC3096: Cyborg Studies
This module descriptor refers to the 2016/7 academic year.
Module Aims
The social sciences have traditionally been 'humanist' disciplines, in as much as their empirical and theoretical focus is on human individuals, their interactions with one another, social groups and social structure. This module aims to develop a less anthropocentric or 'posthumanist' sensibility. With the figure of the cyborg, the cybernetic organism, a hybrid of human, animal and machine, as its icon, it explores the co-evolution of humans, machines, sciences and natures. It couples a discussion of posthumanist theory and its moral and political implications with a wide range of empirical studies
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Analyse critically relations between people (individuals and social groups), animals and machines 2. demonstrate a clear understanding of theoretical perspectives appropriate to the analysis of these relations and exemplify with a range of contemporary and historical examples |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. demonstrate in-depth awareness and understanding of a range of social scientific, historical, and philosophical perspectives 4. critically understand the core theoretical assumptions and premises of these disciplines 5. apply theoretical and interpretive perspectives to the task of sociological analysis 6. demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of different and competing social scientific, historical, and philosophical perspectives |
| Personal and Key Skills | 7. reflect on, and examine critically, taken-for-granted social, cultural and ethical assumptions, beliefs and values 8. analyse, evaluate, and communicate, clearly and directly, a wide range of explanatory and interpretive theoretical perspectives; assess evidence, marshal facts and construct arguments |