Sociology - BA (Hons)

Understanding Society introduces students to the idea of modernity, the Enlightenment and key classical thinkers in sociology. The module presents critiques of the Enlightenment view of modernity as progress, outlining the ‘dark side’ of modernity’s emergence. As well as discussing classical thinkers such as Marx, Durkheim and Weber, the module introduces WEB DuBois and considers how slavery, imperialism and the rise of capitalism impacted the making of the modern world. We also consider how the emergence of modern knowledge and power were gendered and racialized from the outset.

This is a core module which aligns with the aims of the Sociology programme by introducing students to the principles of the practice of social research and debates regarding social research methods. Students will understand the practice of undertaking social research which is theoretically informed, knowledge-applied, evidence based, and interdisciplinary. By the end of the module students should have a sound knowledge of how theoretical perspectives inform research practice and gained an understanding of the process of ‘doing sociology’.

State and Society introduces students to understanding the role of the state, politics and policy in social life. We consider different political perspectives and how these are articulated through the political process. The module also examines key policy agendas and the impacts on groups in society. Students will learn about political ideologies, influences on the political process and we will discuss contemporary issues in social policy. The module will also examine the history of and contemporary debates around migration into the UK, in order to discuss political ideologies and state policy.

This is a core module which introduces students to the scholarship of key contemporary social thinkers. The module aligns with the aims of the Sociology programme by providing students with the tools to develop a critical awareness of a variety of sociological perspectives and their relevance to the contemporary social world. This module encourages students to link key theoretical perspectives to the wider programme-level expectations and learning outcomes. Deep learning is encouraged with interactive lectures and workshops which stimulate discussions.

This module will examine the ways in which criminological and sociological theorising help us to challenge common sense in order to widen our understanding of a) ‘deviant’ identities and b) the operation of social control. This module will explore the ways in which crime and deviance are socially constructed through varying contexts and how differing ‘deviant’ identities and subcultures are socially controlled and represented. Furthermore, the module explores the relations of power through which ‘deviant’ labels are ascribed (focusing on social stratifications such as gender, class, race/ethnicity, sexuality and age in order to reveal the fluidity of so-called ‘deviant’ identities).

City, Community, Culture introduces students to the sociology of the city and teaches the ethnographic method for explore urban settings. We will focus on the key theories of the city, including theories from Black sociologists, who were some of the first to explore urban life. This module will engage students in applying the theories we learn into exploring the city of Birmingham. The module will equip students with the skills to understand the city and to study the city using ethnographic methods.

This is a core module and it introduces students to a range of classical social and sociological theories and links these theories to their historical and social contexts. It develops students’ in-depth knowledge and understanding of the origins of and rationale for these theories, and enables students to appreciate the relevance of these theories to an analysis of contemporary social life. By the end of the module, students should not only have a good understanding of these theories but also demonstrate an ability to apply them to the world around them and also to the topics and issues raised in other modules.

This module aims to develop your ability to critically analyse contemporary popular culture. We will examine social and cultural studies theories relevant to the study of cultural sociology, with a specific focus on topics including class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, music, ‘the body’, media, consumption and Black popular culture. In particular, the module will consider how popular culture can act to confirm or resist dominant ideologies produced in society.

This module begins with questioning what applied sociological research is, what is its meaning and rationale and value in a social context. In this regard, this module explores the principles of sociological research strategies and designs, and how these principles may be applied in practice. Within the module there is a focus on qualitative methodologies, which will encourage students to clarify how research questions, strategies, methods and forms of analysis influence each other. Students are expected to complete and follow ethical procedures as part of this module.

This is a core module and it introduces students to a range of contemporary social and sociological theories and links these theories to their historical and social contexts. It develops students’ in-depth knowledge and understanding of the origins of and rationale for these theories, and enables students to appreciate the relevance of these theories to an analysis of contemporary social life. By the end of the module, students should not only have a good understanding of these theories but also demonstrate an ability to apply them to the world around them and also to the topics and issues raised in other modules.

Public sociology takes sociology out of the university classroom to directly impact social change, social justice, and decision making in the public sphere. This module is an introduction to the field of public sociology:

• What it is
• What it can and should mean
• The question of whether and how sociologists can simultaneously negotiate identities as both scholars and activists – and, indeed, as scholar/academic activists

This module provides students with an opportunity to experience real world work. It is expected that the placement (and placement related activities) will occupy students for a minimum of 128 hours in total: typically, 16 hours per week over 8 weeks. All placements are to be agreed by the University. Employers will be asked to help define the task(s) to be completed by the student on placement. Students will be encouraged to secure their own placement opportunities with the assistance of the module staff.

This module aims to consider sociological theories and concepts to understand the media. You will consider the role of media in society, looking at key theories of the media and understanding media texts (e.g. movies, TV programmes, YouTube videos, blogs, books, magazines, social media, etc…).

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to critical knowledge of the historical and social impact of ‘race’ ethnicity and racism in western societies. Students will gain a critical understanding of key theoretical definitions of, and the debates concerning the concepts of race, racism and ethnicity. Students will learn about the historical development and social constructions of race, ethnicity and racism within western history, culture and politics.

Through examining the broad sociological understanding of the youth, socialisation processes and identities, this module will explore how historical and contemporary perspectives which have led to competing constructions of youth culture. The module will draw on research and theoretical insights into the social worlds of young people, building upon key concepts such as sub-cultural theory, identity and the construction of difference in an attempt to place young people in the in the UK and global contexts.

The module provides students with an opportunity to explore concepts, research and debates in relation to globalisation, people and society. The module encourages students to develop a critical approach to thinking about globalisation as a set of social and historical processes which shape (and may be shaped by) the economic, political, cultural and ecological dimensions of social life.

From the conceptual to the grounded, the module then explores the social consequences of globalisation with reference to selected themes and topics in and with relevance to sociology to include: the exercise of economic and political power; forms of political organisation and governance; the dynamics and effects of economic development; the creation of social divisions and inequality; cultural transformations; identity and belonging; population movements; urban and rural life; ecological change. The module closes with a consideration of conjectures on social futures in a globalising world.

The aim of this module is to provide students with a critical understanding of how the concepts of ‘self’ and ‘identity’ are continually shaped, regulated and maintained through varying aspects of identity formation, social divisions and inequalities. The module focuses on sociological approaches to exploring the ‘self’ and ‘identity’ in a social context.

Students are encouraged to develop an appreciation of the ways that identities are fluid, complex and, multifaceted. Within the teaching and learning aspects of the module, students are encouraged to consider the ways in which cultural, political, social and economic contexts impact on their own and others’ identities through mediated practices, processes and discourse.

The aim of this module is to provide a framework for you to undertake a substantial disciplinary-relevant project. It is founded upon Birmingham City University’s teaching and learning philosophy which integrates theory and practice.

This is an optional module concentrating on cultural sociology with specific reference to music. The module will provide students with an in-depth introduction to some of the key sociological ideas and perspectives on music, and it will focus on three main themes: the social and historical settings in which musical forms are produced and consumed; music in relation to identity and politics; and the political economy of music.

By the end of the module, students should have a good understanding of the social functions, and significance, of music. Key issues we will explore include: the influence of class, race and gender on musical styles; music in its relationship with sub-cultural groups and as a force for political expression; and the commodification of popular music. Alongside considering these issues, we will be listening to a variety of music.

This module will critically examine how we can make epistemic links between past histories of colonialism and the complex ways these histories continue to impact contemporary forms of inequalities in the present. We will examine how we can understand and address the role of race, gender, sexuality and coloniality in shaping the modern world.

Critical discussions and debates to decolonise the curriculum directly draw attention to the relationship between the production of power (coloniality), the politics of knowledge and the reproduction of social inequalities. Students will be expected to engage issues of power and inequality from a variety of critical perspectives in order to develop and extend their understanding of these social, cultural and political issues through a decolonial lens.

This is an option module which aligns with the aims of the Sociology programme by assisting students to gain a deep understanding of the complex visual world around them. This is an interdisciplinary module which examines sociological inquiry that is theoretically informed, knowledge-applied, with the specific focus on visual research methods. The module will encourage students to utilize their knowledge and understanding of different sociological perspectives and social research methods acquired at Levels 4 and 5. The module will be delivered with interactive workshops to facilitate group discussions.

Activism and social movements have attempted to address a wide range of social problems and influence social change. Historically, movements have had significant influence on social relations and social policy.

This module will critically investigate a range of social movements and activism from the past and present in order to better understand these movements and their internal processes and external contexts. Various theories will be explored in order to get a good grasp of what brings about social movements, how they operate, and when they succeed.

The module explores and examines the historical context which produced the Black Arts Movement in the UK. It aligns with the aims of the Black Studies degree programme as it focusses on a social movement, and discusses the contribution that artists from the African diaspora have contributed to visual culture. By engaging with a range of intellectual perspectives that contributed to the development of the Black Arts Movement, students will have the opportunity to understand how, in the case of the Black Arts Movement, intellectual thought and artistic production are symbiotic.