Learn English – when does the noun “time” become a countable noun

The dictionary erred when giving that example for the use as a countable noun. The example clearly is using it in a general sense rather than as a concrete, countable noun. We can change the example to fit as a countable noun by either adding an article or by making 'society' plural. "Good writing still has a place in contemporary societies." "Good writing still has a place in a contemporary society." As we can see, this changes the meaning. The word 'contemporary' has nothing to do with the countability of 'society'.

It may help to think of "faculty" as both a collective noun and countable noun. In its guise as a collective noun, it may govern either a singular or plural verb, depending, respectively, on whether you're thinking of the faculty as a single group or as multiple individuals. The former is the default in AmE; the latter, in BrE. So in AmE, if I say

The faculty are revolting.

I mean that the members of the faculty disgust me. On the other hand, if I say

The faculty is revolting.

I mean that the faculty is about to storm the Dean's office.

In its guise as a countable noun, "faculty" may take its plural form "faculties" to indicate separate, multiple groups (and of course will then take a plural verb):

The three faculties of the School of Law, the School of Medicine, and the College of Arts and Sciences are meeting in plenary session.