SOC-20067 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Magic today is uttered in reference to the supernatural, superstition, illusion, trickery, miracles, fantasies, and as a simple superlative.¿Indeed, the seemingly emptiness of modernity and a fraught socio-political terrain of social disinformation, deep fakes, fake news and conspiracy makes magic a profoundly unstable category. This module centrally positions magic in the sociological study of modernity, thus contributing to contemporary debates about transparency, rationality, truth and reason. In a culture where fake news, deception and conspiracies thrive, magic and illusionary practices crystallise politics, economics and contemporary culture. Modern entertainment, for example, is obsessed with the supernatural and horror, and movies and television shows with a magical twist saturate popular culture. What though do these imaginary discourses reveal about real life and social and racial injustice?
The key theme of this module is that magical discourses - conjuring, witchcraft, vampires, zombies, represent a distinctive way of looking at the world today and that by exploring the notion of what is both real and made up, we can throw light on the key social processes and institutions of modernity

This module gives a criticial investigation of illusion, fakery and make-believe during modern times. It asks what do we mean by magic in a global setting at discourses, for example, about witchcraft, spiritualism, zombies and conspiracies. It extends students understanding of key sociological concepts - modernity, scapegoating, materiality, gender, ethnicity and alienated capitalism, through an analysis of for example, vampires, zombies and witchcraft in different socio economic, political and cultural contexts. In this process of critical investigation, it allows students to explore changing epistemological ideas about reality, science, progress and reason in modern times.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Articulate knowledge of different ideas about magic and how different discourses about the unknown have developed in a historical and cross-cultural context: 1,2
Demonstrate the ability to relate key concerns of sociology to an understanding of make-believe in different parts of the world: 1,2
Critically explore the relationship of magic to enlightenment ideas about rationality, science, reason and progress: 1,2
Critically recognise the different social, economic and cultural factors shaping illusion and the unknown: 1,2

Study hours

22 contact hours - 11 lectures x 11 seminars
28 structured hours including engagement with asynchronous online materials including videos, podcasts using Wakelet capsule for seminar preparation
100 hours independent study, reading, note taking and assessment preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment