Core Module Information
Module title: Sociology of Work and Organisation

SCQF level: 09:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: SSC09118
Module leader: Gavin Maclean
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Social Science
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

Description of module content:

The study of work and organisation has been key to the development of sociological study and continues to occupy an important place in the discipline today. This module will examine the relationship between work, organisation and wider society both historically and in more contemporary settings. This module will explore the development of capitalist organisation; the rise of management; how work came to occupy a central place in people's lives; the experience of work for those employed; and the social stigma of those who are without work. Topics you study will include: industrialisation and the emergence of modern organisation; classic and contemporary approaches to managerial control; resistance and misbehaviour; the work ethic and managing unemployment; gendered inequality at work; racial inequality and diversity in organisations; and the rise of digital platforms and digital labour.

Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Understand the social significance of work and employment in society.

LO2: Understand and identify forms of management and organisation in contemporary work.

LO3: Critically reflect upon the broader social processes shaping organisation and employment.

LO4: Explore how the dynamics of organisational conflict and consent are managed

LO5: Understand how social inequalities are perpetuated through work and employment, and organisational process that seek to address these inequalities.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 1, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Gavin Maclean
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Online Guided independent study 167 Each week you will be provided with recommended and optional readings and an array of recorded audio and video content to support your learning.
Face To Face Tutorial 11 The tutorials apply ideas from the lecture into practice, with each week offering a mixture of class discussions, case study analysis, presentations and field trips to apply sociological thinking to work and organisation.
Face To Face Lecture 22 Each week you will receive a 2-hour in person lecture. These lectures offer a blend of lecture, class discussion and activities.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Oral Presentation 30 1~2~3~4 Week 7 HOURS= 15 minutes In a group of 3, you will undertake a case study critique which will ask you to identify the managerial practices in a particular organisation and critique them using sociological theory. This presentation will be recorded in your own time and uploaded to the virtual learning environment.
Portfolio 70 1~3~4~5 Exam Period , WORDS= 2750 words Your end of term writing will ask you to write a 2,000 word essay from a selection of options based around materials in the second half of the module. This essay will be worth 50% of the module total. As part of this submission, you will be asked to submit three 250 word evaluations of three of the readings on the module which will account for 20% of your module total.
Component 1 subtotal: 30
Component 2 subtotal: 70
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
SSC 09118 Sociology of Work & Organisation