Continuity and Change (Byte Size)

In this Course, we consider change and transition and the reasons for this process of change, particularly as it affects the organisations and institutions of our society. If we were somehow transported in time back to the mid-nineteenth century, we know that many things would be unfamiliar, strange or unusual. While nineteenth-century Britain would be unmistakably "British", many things such as transport, patterns of behaviour and other structures and processes would be virtually unrecognisable. Similarly, if we were projected into the twenty-third century, many of the current institutions, structures and processes with which we are familiar would have changed beyond all recognition or have ceased to exist altogether. When you have completed this course, you should be able to understand why change occurs in a society and to illustrate the process of change by examples from trade unions and work organisations. You should also be able to appreciate the major change processes affecting organisations and society as well as being able to identify and explain "post-industrialism" and "post-modernism" as central concepts of change. By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• define change.
• identify significant features of two theories of social change - social evolutionism and historical materialism.
• discuss and give examples of the influence upon social change of the physical environment, political organisation and cultural factors.
• describe the origins and implications of the "agency" and "structure" approaches of social change.
• indicate the limitations of both "agency" and "structure" approaches to social change and illustrate how the two can be seen as complementary.
• explain what we mean by a social movement and give examples of different types.
• discuss the features, development and dynamics of social movements and their relation to change with reference to the work of Smelser and Touraine.
• identify the features and dynamics of post-industrialism and discuss what evidence there is of change towards post-industrialism in current British society.
• identify some common features shown by post-Fordist manufacturing and marketing developments, and the cultural ideas and philosophy of post-modernism.

Syllabus

Section 1: Change

Defining change

Theories of social change

Influences on change

Change in the recent past

Section 2: Action versus Structure

Agency or structure: the essential question

The first image of society

The second image of society

Summary propositions

Section 3: Social Movements: an Introduction

Definition

Classifying social movements

Theories of social movements

Structural and social action approaches

Some conclusions

Section 4: From Industrialism to Post-Industrialism

Directions of change

From industrialism to post-industrialism and beyond

Contributions of Castells and Gorz

Post-industrialism: conclusions

Section 5: From Modernity to Post-Modernity

Modernism

Post-modernism

Post-Fordism and post-modernism

Qualifications

On completion of your course, you will receive the dual award:

Award 1 is issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges: Continuity and Change (Byte Size) Certificate

Continuity and Change (Byte Size) Certificate issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, to view a sample of the college’s award, please click here.

Requirements for Entry

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

Study Options

In order to offer our students the most convenient and flexible distance learning courses, Stonebridge Associated College offers you the option to study for your course via two methods:

• 1. Via the traditional paper-based method.
• 2. Through the online method via ElearnUK.

If you do not have Internet access, or would prefer to study this course via the traditional paper/postal based study method, you can find more information on the course by clicking on the link below.

Stonebridge Prices

Studying by Post. If you would like to pay by instalments, we do offer an affordable interest free payment plan scheme which allows you to spread the cost of your course over a number of months. However, to use this option you will need to study for your course using the traditional paper-based method. For more information on our payment plans please visit our website at www.stonebridge.uk.com

The reason why the course fee is less if you choose to study online, is because with online study there are no costs associated with postage and printing etc. and thus we are able to offer the course at a reduced rate.

The total amount payable over the term's period, is no more than the total cash price of the course.
(APR = 0%). Written quotations are available on request.

Study Hours

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 20 hrs.