BA (Hons) Sociology

This module will explore a selection of twentieth and twenty first century theoretical perspectives.& nbsp; In this way, it builds on the work of the classical theorists considered in the compulsory level 4 module, 4SL007.& nbsp; In order to impart some continuity and coherence into the subject matter, attention will be paid to the emphasis of the theorists on structure and agency in society.& nbsp; Rather than treating the subject matter as an abstract body of knowledge, the module will seek to emphasize and the students will be assessed in how social theory can explain contemporary societies.

To provide students with sociological theories and perspectives that help to explain racialised differences, identities and ethnicities. To provide knowledge of the processes and patterning of racialised differences, identities and ethnicities. To examine contexts in which racialised divisions and inequalities continue and are reproduced, as shown in contexts such as education, work and media.

This module will introduce students to both qualitative and quantitative research methods in the social sciences. The distinction can be over-stated given as many research projects now use mixed methods, but a difference does exist and it is necessary to unpack it for heuristic purposes. The module will proceed through first outlining the background and key aspects of the qualitative and quantitative traditions, before providing case examples of field work using particular research techniques (surveys, semi structured interviews) within the two broad approaches.

In this module we will consider the future opportunities and challenges in the work and labour market in the UK. During this module we will address the key variables at play in evaluating the future of work. The topics covered in this module will range from the role of automation, the impact of Brexit and the desire to reach a net-zero economy in the coming decades. We will critically engage with each variable to decide on the extent to which it will be a changing labour market and how our communities can adjust and flourish in response.

Environmental Crime offers a critical exploration of environmental dangers through a criminological lens. It assesses the cultural and legal parameters of causing harm to the planet (Green Criminology) by considering what constitutes an environmental crime in contrasting contexts. The module focuses on a variety of forms of environmental crime, from fast fashions to the illegal trade and poaching of wildlife. The spatial and progressive dynamics of environmental factors are examined with reference to debates on black markets and cultural rituals. Collectively the lectures enable students to develop comprehensive knowledge and theoretical understanding of Green Criminology. The module explores environmental crime as a distinct criminological topic, whilst examining its relationship with criminology and criminal justice more broadly.

This course explores the upheavals of modern history through the eyes of some of those who were most profoundly affected: Itinerants, migrants and refugees. With a focus on the available primary sources, we will examine the different ways that historians have attempted to reconstruct the perspective and agency of the men, women and children in question, and also consider the manner in which governments have sought to control this movement of people. The course takes as its two main themes the geographical mobility that came in the wake of nineteenth century industrialisation and the displacement of populations that resulted from war and persecution in the twentieth century.

This module provides opportunities for community-based learning through voluntary community engagement. This activity will enable you to understand the relevance of your studies within a community context, combining practical experience with academic studies. In addition, it is an opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the Third Sector, and the notion of citizenship. Both subject specific and transferable skills will be developed and utilised throughout this module, thus developing graduate employment attributes.

The growth in importance of the body in western society is indicated by the rise of interest in a range of ‘body matters’.  This includes body shape, health, and beauty, and how these are subject to various forms of commercial management and social control.  As an index of this, we only have to consider the large number of tools and techniques available to us to ‘improve’ our bodies.  In addition, the race, ethnicity, sex, gender, age, and infirmity of our bodies, shape our position and acceptability in society, and places constraints on our ability to act.  This module will provide an introduction to academic debates around the regulation of bodies and examine the changing status of the body in social theory.  It will first introduce a number of theoretical positions that have explored the body’s status in contemporary society in order to provide the framework for the rest of the module.  Moving on from this the module will focus attention upon a number of key areas involving the social, cultural and historical management and control of bodies.

Provides students with theoretical understanding of the various sociological perspectives surrounding colonisation, de-colonisation, post-colonialism, Modernisations and current global inequalities. Explores global poverty and inequalities that encompasses an understanding of gendered, class and communal inequalities found in Contemporary Global contexts. Examines empirical evidence that will enable students to explore the patterns of ‘gendered’ racialised and class divisions found within the developing world.

The module will explore how social science perspectives are imperative if society is going to respond to the urgent environmental challenges we face today and bring about the social change needed to address them. It will explore the concept of consumerism and how reframing citizens as consumers has helped drive unsustainable economic growth within the developed world. It will review how sustainability relates to sociological concepts such as social justice and equality, and how this relationship is fundamental to The United Nation’s Goals for Sustainable Development. You will analyse the relationship between the social and the natural world, through the theory of ‘entanglement’ which will be used to map your own pattern of more sustainable living. At the end of the module you will have a critical understanding of how knowledge drawn from sociology can contribute to the debate about – and the building of strategies to enhance – sustainability, and bring about change to the environment-society dynamic.

Since modern nations and nationalism have existed there have been accounts that their power is set to diminish. There is no evidence that this is likely in the contemporary world. In fact, the direct opposite is the case: the centrality of the nation state and the power of nationalism as a mobilising ideology have recently come to the fore. Nationalism is a massive subject and a single module cannot hope to cover all of its aspects. Rather, it will take key aspects from its study to give students insight into key issues and debates. The module will begin with definitions of the key terms, move to consideration of the classic theoretical formulations of the rise of nations and nationalism, then assess selected conceptual relationships and, finally, look at particular case studies.

    Migration is a fundamental feature of the contemporary world.  Its social and economic effects are self evident; its political ramifications frequent.  This course will provide an overview of key concepts and issues in the study of migration.  The organisation will be split into two interelated sections.  The first will consider the key motivations why people move from one country to another.  Here the course will look at definitions, push and pull factors in migrant flows and migration in history.  Second, it will look at immigration and British society.  This will section will pay particular attention to immigration to the UK since 1945: Irish and New Commonwealth immigration, Immigration Control and contemporary asylum and Eastern European immigration.