Sociology Module Reflection Essay: Weekly Experiences and Learning

This reflective essay provides an in-depth analysis of the author's experiences within a sociology module, structured around weekly study sessions. The essay utilizes Driscoll's model of reflection to examine the author's understanding of key concepts such as sociological imagination, Marxism vs. Functionalism, social divisions, children and childhood, and crime, power, and punishment. Each week is assessed in terms of what was learned, the author's reactions and insights, and plans for future development. The essay highlights the author's evolving understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, particularly in areas such as time management, data collection, and communication. The conclusion emphasizes the value of reflective writing in fostering personal and academic growth, making it a useful resource for students seeking to improve their learning strategies and understanding of sociological concepts.

Reflection Essay

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Week 1....................................................................................................................................3
Week 2....................................................................................................................................4
Week 3....................................................................................................................................4
Week 4....................................................................................................................................5
Week 5....................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
A reflective essay can be defined as a kind of writing wherein the author is required to
examine their experience about a particular situation or event (McKenna, 2018). It allows the
writer to express their insights about the event. This report includes a reflective essay on the
experience on the module for a specific number of weeks. The respective reflective essay is
influenced by Discroll's model of reflection.
MAIN BODY
In this reflective essay, I will discuss my overall experience on the current module.
Besides this, I will also explain how I have developed as an effective learner during the module
with relevant examples. The reflection will also include how I will develop myself in order to
meet challenges as well as expectations. Lastly, the reflection will also help me in understanding
my strengths as well as weaknesses.
Week 1
What?
In Week 1, the purpose of the study session was sociological imagination, which was a
tutorial. During the study session, our tutor taught about the concept of sociological imagination.
For the session, I made use of various resources such as books, websites and the study material
provided by the tutor. During the initial sessions, I found it difficult to understand the concept,
but gradually developed an understanding of the same.
So what?
In Week 1, I gathered new set of knowledge about the concept and after the session, I
discovered that I had effective presentation skills as we were required to complete an assignment
and present the same in front of the class. But I also discovered that I was not able to manage my
time effectively and thus, needed improvement.

Now what?
Universities require their students to be effective communicators and be able to organize
and manage their time in an efficient way (Neumann, Neumann and Lewis, 2017). I analysed
that I need to focus on enhancing my time management as well as organization skills. I will first
address the time management aspect so that I can complete my future assignments on time.
Feedbacks from peers and the tutor will help me in knowing if I'm improving.
Week 2
What?
The purpose of study session in Week 2 was Marxism vs Functionalism, an important
topic within the module. During the session, I paid most of my attention towards understanding
the concept and making notes. My reaction during the sessions was that I found the concept to be
interesting, whereas some students found it difficult to understand the same.
So What?
Since the topic was of my interest, I gathered a lot of information about the same that
week. Gathering new information is helpful because it can be implemented to different areas and
also contributes to the existing knowledge (Otis, 2017). One weakness that I discovered after the
session was that I found it difficult to collect data for an assignments that was provided to us.
Now What?
I will work on my data collection skills so that if in the future I am assigned to work on a
similar project, I am able complete the same effectively. In order to face the future challenges, I
will try to brush up on my existing skills so that I am able to face the same effectively.
Week 3
What?
The session during the third week was based on Social Divisions: Class & Ethnicity. The
study session was conducted online by the tutor. Therefore, the resources I used for this session
were a laptop and the study material provided by the tutor. Besides this, I also referred to
different online research papers.
So What?
The new information that I gathered during this week was about the various social
divisions, class as well as ethnicity. I also learned about how ethnicity affects social class and the

different ethnic groups. The session during Week 3 was the one that I did not find to be very
interesting.
Now What?
The university expected the students to develop an in depth understanding about the
concept (Setyowati and El-Sulukiyyah, 2017). I will try to work on my weak areas as much
possible so that I can convert them into strengths. After reflecting on my practice, the main
learning that I can take is that of improving my communication as well as try to focus on what is
being taught.
Week 4
What?
During Week 4, the purpose of the study session was Children and Childhood, wherein I
got an opportunity to develop an understanding about the topic (Locher, 2017). The session was
interesting and I learnt that childhood is the time when children grow strong and gain confidence
while being at school. My reaction during the session was that I was interested in learning more
about the concept.
So What?
It was during Week 4 that I realised that I had good understanding skills as the concept
that was being taught by the tutor was interesting. The positive aspects that I discovered after the
session included I gained a lot of new insights about children and childhood.
Now What?
In order to prepare for future challenges, I will try to allocate time for different areas
wherein I need improvement. I will get to know if I'm improving through the feedback that I
receive from the tutor.
Week 5
What?
The purpose of the study during Week 5 was Crime, Power and Punishment in order to
facilitate a better understanding about the same among students. All the sessions were conducted
on a weekly basis (Hodgson and Watts, 2017). For this session, I referred to various resources
like books as well as online articles.
So What?

During this week, I gained knowledge about different kings of crimes that can take place
along with the information about the punishments that have been set for each of them.
Now What?
Different measures to improve my overall knowledge is what that will help me in my
future endeavours. Therefore, this was my reflection on the weekly study sessions for the
module.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that in order to gather experience and develop
as a learner, a reflective essay is a good choice. This is because it helps the learner to reflect on
their thoughts and experiences in an effective manner.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Hodgson, D. and Watts, L., 2017. What can moral and social intuitionism offer ethics education
in social work? A reflective inquiry. The British Journal of Social Work. 47(1). pp.181-
197.
Locher, M.A., 2017. Reflective Writing in Medical Practice: A Linguistic Perspective.
Multilingual Matters.
McKenna, M., 2018. Quarterly Essay 69 Moment of Truth: History and Australia's Future (Vol.
69). Black Inc..
Neumann, Y., Neumann, E. and Lewis, S., 2017. The Robust Learning Model with a Spiral
Curriculum: Implications for the Educational Effectiveness of Online Master Degree
Programs. Contemporary Issues in Education Research. 10(2). pp.95-108.
Otis, B., 2017. Cosmos and tragedy: an essay on the meaning of Aeschylus. UNC Press Books.
Setyowati, L. and El-Sulukiyyah, A. A., 2017. Explicit Planning For Paragraph Writing Class.
Jurnal Bahasa Lingua Scientia. 9(2). pp.241-260.