Sustainable Societies and Global Sociology

The environmental crisis we currently face - which results from human activities - is profoundly entangled with biological, ecological, geographical and geological processes. To make a difference, you need to engage with the issues and debates surrounding the Anthropocene such as the speed, scope and scale of human activities on the earth as a system. Further, you’ll look at the multi-dimensionality of the Anthropocene including environmental, social, political, and cultural issues.

A multidisciplinary approach is needed to understand and develop solutions for the current environmental crisis. We’ll therefore investigate fundamental skill sets that academics need to engage with other academics and society as a whole. These include skills such as data collection and analysis, accessing and critically reviewing literature, and presenting evidence in multiple formats (such as written, oral and visual). These skills are not only needed for academic careers, but for any career where you'll be hoping to raise awareness and have an impact in fighting the climate crisis.

We are living in the Anthropocene: an era where human activity has become the key driver of planetary changes. This module provides a comprehensive introduction to environmental sustainability, building on the planetary boundary concept to discuss the environmental limits that human beings can safely live within.

Using a strongly interdisciplinary approach based on human and environmental geography, we’ll discuss key environmental challenges including climate change, food systems, biodiversity loss, and pollution, among others. We’ll explore contemporary debates around sustainable development and critically analyse these in the context of real-world issues and relevant policy and governance considerations.

You’ll examine case studies that illustrate the way human-environment relations are shaped by complex social, economic and political processes at different scales. And through this, you will learn how you can make an impact on the drive towards sustainability.

Society is complex, and there are many different approaches researchers have taken to studying it. In fact there has been so much written – so many thousands of books and articles of research and theory on every aspect of how society works – that it can seem overwhelming. Where do we even start?

On this module, you'll learn how we, as social scientists, study society. What is the difference between evidence and theory? How do we know when we know something, and how confident can we be in that knowledge? What are the different kinds of evidence social scientists use to investigate how people organise themselves?

After completing this module, you'll have a much deeper understanding of how social scientists study society – how we gather, describe, and, importantly, evaluate social scientific knowledge. You'll be able to make sense of the mass of social scientific information, and organise it to make clear, evidence-based arguments about vital social topics such as crime, gender, the environment, education, and culture.

Why do states behave the way they do? How does state behaviour influence the dynamics of world politics? You're introduced to the answers given to these questions found in the discipline of International Relations (IR). You're given an overview of key theories, concepts and debates in IR through a discussion of topical issues and developments in global politics, with particular focus on the role and status of states as key actors. The IR theories introduced include (but are not necessarily limited to) liberalism and realism. Theories and concepts will be evaluated in consideration with empirical material drawn from contemporary international politics. The precise list of issues to be covered will vary from year to year depending on the global political landscape. An indicative list of potential topics includes: the legacies of the Cold War; the Covid-19 pandemic; conspiracy theories; counterterrorism; globalisation; empire; and the Russia-Ukraine war. The issues chosen will be studied from multiple perspectives, creating the space for students to progress in their knowledge of key concepts and explore the merits of leading IR theories.

This introductory module offers students an in-depth exploration of the concept and evolving role of global civil society. It examines the network of non-state actors, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), social movements, grassroots groups, and transnational governance and advocacy networks that operate across borders to address global challenges. Students will engage with key debates surrounding civil society’s capacity to influence governance, promote human rights, advocate for environmental protection, and foster social justice in an increasingly interconnected world. The module covers theoretical frameworks for understanding civil society, ranging from liberal democratic traditions to critical perspectives.

Through case studies and interactive discussions, students will analyse the impact of global civil society actors in areas such as climate activism, humanitarian interventions, heath, and digital advocacy campaigns. Topics will also include the role of civil society in democratization, power dynamics between the Global North and South, and the challenges posed by authoritarianism and shrinking civic space. In addition to lectures and seminars, students will engage in case studies where they assess the effectiveness of specific campaigns led by global civil society organizations. By the end of the module, students will have a nuanced understanding of the opportunities and constraints faced by civil society actors, along with foundational analytical skills for further study in global society and sustainability.

This dynamic and interdisciplinary module introduces students to critical challenges facing global society in the 21st century, with a particular focus on sustainability. It explores the interconnected social, economic, and environmental issues that shape our world, such as climate change, economic development, resource depletion, food production, global inequality, and population growth. Students will critically engage with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework for analysing efforts toward a more sustainable and equitable future. The module encourages students to explore how globalization, technological advances, lifestyle and political decisions influence sustainability outcomes across diverse regions. Key topics include food and water security, sustainable urban development, biodiversity conservation, and the role of international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord.

Through case studies and group discussions, students will examine both success stories and persistent barriers to global sustainability efforts. Assessment tasks are designed to build students' analytical, research, and problem-solving skills. Students will have the opportunity to explore solutions to real-world sustainability challenges by engaging in debates and case studies. By the end of the module, students will have a solid foundation for understanding and critically evaluating pressing global issues, preparing them for further academic inquiry and active engagement as responsible global citizens.

We live in a deeply unequal world – one in which your education, wealth, power, and even health can be determined not by your intelligence or character, but by the social group you belong to. The study of these social inequalities has been central to Sociology right from its beginnings as a discipline.

You'll learn how deep social divisions by gender, ethnicity, and social background really are, how they come about, and how they might be challenged. You'll read what classical and cutting edge sociology has to say about how and why inequality develops, and how it has been maintained. Engage with important ongoing debates about how society should be organised, and what can be done about social divisions that seem so intractably engrained.

Inequality is one of the most important issues of our age. Barack Obama described it as 'the defining challenge of our time'. And yet so much of the conversation about social inequalities is superficial and uninformed. At the end of this module, you'll have a much deeper knowledge of the real issues that underly these debates, and of how sociological research and imagination can help us to resolve them

What is globalisation, and what forms does it take? How does globalisation reconstitute our relationship to society? How is global development experienced across the world, and what power relations does it (re)produce?

To help develop your critical understanding of globalisation we will present contemporary modes and challenges of doing sociology in an increasingly complex and interrelated world.

You will critically evaluate explore key topical debates relating to global economic interdependence, migratory flows and experiences, and the work of development agencies and NGOs. You’ll also explore forms of resistance to global processes, including alter-globalisation movements and the national populist backlash. Underpinning these themes and debates is a theoretical investigation of how we might frame and analyse globalisation and development processes, including ‘creolisation’, ‘McDonaldisation’ and postcolonial perspectives.

Research methods are – together with theoretical frameworks and empirical material – one of the three main pillars of the study of human society. The social sciences are methodologically very diverse and apply a number of different approaches that can be summarised under the quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. This module unlocks the power of data analysis for students from a variety of educational backgrounds - no statistical knowledge is necessary.

In our data-driven world, understanding numbers is crucial for all social scientists. We'll teach you how to sift through the noise and find the insights hidden within statistics. You'll learn how to uncover the real story behind the numbers often used in the social sciences. This module also introduces you to the principles of empirical social science research and equip you with foundational statistical techniques. You'll gain the ability to confidently analyse the data driving policy decisions and academic research, as well developing the skills to dissect complex arguments and see the bigger picture hidden within the numbers.

This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to identify, analyse, and evaluate ethical issues in business. Through critical reflection and analytical argumentation, you’ll develop the ability to articulate your views and critique opposing perspectives on ethical matters.

The focus of this module is on gaining an in-depth understanding of business ethics and cultivating critical thinking skills, enabling you to emerge as a conscientious leader in your field. Corporate social responsibility and sustainability are central themes due to the growing interest and expectations from stakeholders on environmental and social performance.

You'll cover essential theories such as utilitarianism, deontological theories, corporate social responsibility, and the triple bottom line, applying these concepts to real-life business situations through case studies.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are increasingly being used in many disciplines, including geography, ecology and conservation, to help solve a wide range of real-world problems using spatial data. As these disciplines moves towards the analysis of large spatial datasets, employers often report shortages of relevant GIS skills among graduates.

This module will introduce the use of GIS as a means of solving spatial problems providing you with marketable skills relevant to research and commercial needs. You'll cover a range of methods for the collection, presentation and analysis of spatial data and hands-on training in the most commonly used GIS software.

In the first half of the module you’ll be introduced to the major concepts of GIS —data sources and methods of data acquisition—and you’ll learn how to create and transform maps. In the second half, you’ll cover more advanced GIS operations such as manipulation of spatial data, spatial analysis of vector and raster data, and remote sensing. No prior knowledge of GIS, statistics or programming is required as the module is designed for students from any discipline to make rapid progress in their understanding of GIS, so you can stand out to employers.

Global institutions and regimes have become increasingly important in a world facing problems that cross borders and require multilateral action. This module examines the institutions, norms, processes, actors, and consequences of global and regional governance across a range of issue areas. It further addresses a number of questions, including the extent to which cooperation is possible and multilateral governance effective, while examining the roles played by states, international organisations (such as the United Nations, or regional groupings such as the European Union or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other actors. Specific areas you may explore include security, human rights, the environment, and regional integration, amongst others. Building an understanding of these institutions is crucial is you want to launch your career at an NGO or similar organisation.

You're introduced to the key concepts, problems, and theoretical traditions that have shaped sociological thought. The theories and perspectives covered place society in question so that individuals may be better equipped to understand how personal troubles may reflect broader socio-economic structures and processes.

The module introduces the major issues and controversies surrounding the definition, development, and teaching of ‘classical’ sociological theory. For some, ‘classical’ theory refers to ideas developed by a generation of thinkers whose works belong to a particular period of cultural/intellectual history (c.1880- c.1920). Others understand this as the ‘canonical’ texts that define the project and enterprise of sociology. This module will provide a grounding in the study of the so-called ‘founding figures’– Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, and Max Weber – but also offer a critique of this canon through an analysis of their positionality and Eurocentric bias. The works and contribution of ‘classical’ feminist sociologists and W. E. B. Du Bois will also be explored.

We provide you with the important foundational knowledge and understanding of the modernisation of society and development of sociology as a discipline. You'll learn to critically analyse the contributions of classical thinkers while recognising their contribution to contemporary sociological thought.

How do government and non-government organisations impact environmental policies and practice? In this module you will examine the way in which conservation and environmental activities are widely implemented in practice and on-the-ground, including by organisations for which conservation and the environment is not a primary focus.

You'll explore the relevant regulatory and voluntary principles that govern the conservation actions of businesses and governments alongside some of the more influential multilateral environmental policies. You'll use case studies to illustrate how scientific evidence is synthesised and integrated into policy and practice. By the end of the module you'll have a wide and varied knowledge of factors influencing national and global policies and practices and be able to apply this understanding to specific examples and your own research.

What is the relationship between development and environment? Can we achieve sustainable development while staying within environmental limits of the planet? You'll be introduced to key concepts in understanding the dynamic and complex relationship between socioeconomic development and the environment.

We begin by conceptualising 'development' and learning about contemporary development theories and discourses to build the foundation. We then examine how historic and contemporary development practices and associated social, political and economic relations have shaped and continue to shape approaches to environmental management. We also examine how our understanding of and approaches to environmental and natural resources management are reflected upon, shape and (re)produce uneven and unequal development.

Using a variety of case studies, we'll address some key issues that continue to dominate environment and international development discourse, including the relationship between nature conservation and poverty eradication; socioeconomic inequalities and the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss; indigenous peoples and environmental conservation; and environmental justice and the governance of natural resources. You'll leave the module with a critical understanding of the ways our ideas and values about the nature, peoples and places shape real world policies and practices.

An introduction to the key concepts needed to understand international development and the environment in the Global South. Start with the concept of ‘development’ and study contemporary development theories to build a solid foundation. You'll then examine two main aspects of globalisation: the globalisation of production and the globalisation of financial flows. This broad understanding is then applied to key development and environmental issues in the Global South context including poverty, inequality and the impacts of climate change. You'll examine managing the commons, indigenous peoples and environmental conservation, conservation and poverty alleviation, communities and behavioural change, environmental justice and the governance of natural resources. In all of this, context and place matters, as well as the differences and links between places, communities and how this operates at different scales.  

Explore the politics of the global climate crisis at the international, national and local level. Whether it is global climate change governance, national or local climate adaptation policy making and plans, or individual attitudes and behaviour, we need to understand what motivates actors and how a combination of motivations and structure translate into climate action in various contexts and societies. You'll gain the tools to explain the politics of the global climate crisis at the international, national and local level. You'll draw from a variety of debates from political science, international relations, human geography and urban studies. In addition to an overview of key policy documents driving the discourse, you'll explore interdisciplinary theorisations across the social and natural sciences that help rethink the arguments in renewed ways. This includes the critical role of cities and an understanding of how key concepts such as the Anthropocene and adaptation and mitigation shape the global climate emergency agenda. 

How should the relationship between economic forces and world politics be understood? This module explores change and continuity in the world economy and gives you the tools to understand the nature of the link between economics and international relations. Through the lens of political economy, which pertains to the complex relationships between society, the state and the market, you'll debate and analyse the economic dimensions of contemporary international relations.

Major themes of the module include: governance; globalisation; institutions; interdependence; power; conflict; cooperation; hegemony; and crisis. Specific content may shift year-to-year depending on current events, possibly covering: trade; development; poverty; global health; the financial sector; foreign investment; hunger; the energy sector; climate change; and the relationship between political economy and conflict. Across these topics, you will critically examine the interests, relationships and conflicts of individual actors in the global political economy. This allows you to better to economic issues on a national stage into an international context, so you are better able to asses situations with all of the contributing factors to them, giving you the insight to find solutions.

To understand race and ethnicity in society, the self is a crucial place to start. We will encourage you to think about your place in your own social worlds, and in particular the importance of your ethnic and racial backgrounds/identities in shaping this sense of belonging in multicultural contexts.

What is the nature of ethnic ties and membership? How do understanding of ethnic group and race-based identities and membership influence our interactions with one another, and structure our opportunities in the wider society? How do our ethnic backgrounds intersect with our gender, religion, and sexuality? These issues are now critical in multi-ethnic societies such as Britain, where our use of ethnic and racial categories and terms are central to societal organisation and function, whether in the census or in everyday interactions.

But given the dizzying speed with which our societies are become super-diverse, via various forms of migration, and interracial and interethnic unions, the terms and categories we use are much less ‘obvious’ than they may have been in the past. Membership in ethnic or racial groups themselves is now increasingly contested, and we also question what we mean by terms such as ‘minority’ or ‘BME’ and if these terms are still suitable for our society today.

If you’re seeking to work in or make an impact in the world of teaching and education, understanding education is a global context is a great first step to making your voice heard and starting your career.

You will be encouraged to explore problems, challenges, and questions about education through a global sociological lens. You’ll cover the history of education in the local and global context, and an examination of the intersections, hierarchies, ethics, and dynamics of power and inequality in the classroom.

You’ll delve further into other topics such as the marketisation and digitisation of further and higher education; the rise in ‘radical pedagogies’, alternative, and inclusive curricula. We will ask you to consider ideas around the purpose of education and educational policy and their sociological implications, as well as encouraging comparative analysis of international education systems.

There will be a specific focus on your own reflexive experience of education, and how it might be experienced as a UK, international, widening participation, or non-traditional student considering current discourse and educational policy. You will also get hands on, being introduced to educational research methods, including the principles of action research and autoethnography, which will inform the work you do for your main assignment.

Global societies are complex, and so are the many ways and tools we can use to analyse them. Building on the previous year’s research methods modules, this will further develop your skills in research methods. You'll discover how to gain in depth, and rich, data and understanding of social phenomena through the design and application of qualitative research methods.

The first part of the module equips you with a critical understanding of qualitative research methods. This will give you skills in understanding how underlying mechanism, stories and experiences can be captured. The variety of qualitative research techniques available to social scientists and their relative advantages and disadvantages in understanding the social world. These include, interviewing, visual, comparative/historical, and discourse analytic approaches.

You'll also explore key steps in designing a qualitative research project and criteria for assessing its quality.  You'll then apply your research skills to a variety of projects, including a dissertation, as well as developing critical understanding of ethical concerns in social research including the application for ethical clearance.  

Research methods are – together with theoretical frameworks and empirical material – one of the three main pillars of the study of human society. The social sciences are methodologically very diverse and apply a number of different approaches that can be summarised under the quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. This module unlocks the power of data analysis for students from a variety of educational backgrounds - no statistical knowledge is necessary.

In our data-driven world, understanding numbers is crucial for all social scientists. We'll teach you how to sift through the noise and find the insights hidden within statistics. You'll learn how to uncover the real story behind the numbers often used in the social sciences. This module also introduces you to the principles of empirical social science research and equip you with foundational statistical techniques. You'll gain the ability to confidently analyse the data driving policy decisions and academic research, as well developing the skills to dissect complex arguments and see the bigger picture hidden within the numbers.

Your Final Year Project is your chance to dive deep into a topic you’re genuinely curious and passionate about. It’s an extended piece of independent work that brings together everything you’ve learned during your degree, while also helping you develop skills you’ll use long after university.

You’ll start by writing a project proposal, working with the module convenor to shape your idea and being matched with a supervisor who will support you along the way. Guidance comes through a mix of one-to-one supervisions, lectures, and workshops, designed to help you refine your ideas and build the skills you need. As your project develops, you’ll share your progress through plans, literature reviews, and a presentation.

There are three pathways you can take, depending on your interests and future goals:

• Research Dissertation – explore a question in depth through academic research and critical analysis.
• Practical Project – create a substantial piece of practical or creative work, supported by reflection and evaluation.
• Applied/Professional Project – work on a project with a vocational or industry focus, applying your skills to real-world challenges.

Whichever route you choose, this is your opportunity to shape your own learning, showcase your abilities, and build valuable transferable skills in independence, organisation, and project management.

Understand corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability through ethical theory and stakeholder perspectives. You'll engage with essential readings and cases to recognise key issues raised by stakeholder groups, including shareholder activism, socially responsible investment, employee discrimination, working conditions, ethical marketing, consumer protection, accountability, collaboration with civil society organisations, and governmental corruption. We emphasise collaboration with internal and external stakeholders which contributes to understanding contemporary social issues in business.

Tourism is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic industries contributing to GDP in many countries in the Global South and is a key source of employment, income generation and government revenue. This module examines how tourism places in the Global South have been created and are maintained. It discusses the rise and spatial diffusion of the global tourism industry and its main socio-economic and environmental impacts. The recent history of international tourism is introduced with a particular focus on the role of scale from the largest tourism transnational corporations operating at a global level through to small-scale tourism such as family-run guest houses or backpacker hostels. The module links to key contemporary issues such as globalisation, mobility, production and consumption, land use changes and environmental pressure. It discusses the major role played by tourism in the Global South where it is often seen by governments as a main driver of economic development and poverty alleviation.

The relationship between humans and other animals has received increased attention since the turn of the 21st century, quickly emerging as a deeply intersectional and multifaceted area of interest generally and in sociology in particular.

This shift also reflects growing public, political, and industry awareness to worsening climate change, mounting human health crises related to animal-based diets and zoonotic diseases, and expanding ethical concerns over the treatment of Nonhuman Animals used for food, medicine, clothing, and companionship.

You will get to grips with a multispecies sociological approach to understanding contemporary social problems, exploring the many ways that our relationships with other animals has profound implications for human systems, the environment, and, of course, nonhuman animals themselves. Together, we will examine historical and contemporary constructions of ‘animal’ and ‘human’ and how stories about biology, evolution, domestication, civilisation, economic progress, and “the other” create and reproduce social distinctions and boundaries for humans and nonhumans alike.

From extreme poverty and repressive governments to gender violence and structural racism, society faces numerous crises which trigger organised and spontaneous movements in pursuit of social justice. Why and how do people come together to engage in collective action? What is the purpose of protest and activism and how should we evaluate their impact? How do social institutions and wider publics engage with social movements?

Through exploring these questions, you will gain a critical understanding of social movements, protest, and activism, and the role they play in society and the wider political process.

Underpinning your learning are core sociological questions of identity, affect, community, and power, and the production of agency and empowerment in the pursuit of social justice. You’ll be introduced to a range of different types of activism, and a range of historical, recent, and contemporaneous movements. You’ll analyse movements’ grievances, modes of communication, organisation, tactics and contexts, engaging in key debates such as the use of violence, the efficacy of online activism, and the relationship between reformist and revolutionary change.

In short, you will develop a sociological understanding of protest and political activism, and engage in self-reflexive and critical ways with the practice of contemporary social and political change.

Environmental issues have become central matters of public concern and political contention, but addressing these issues is a complicated matter. How can we navigate these complexities to make meaningful, positive change for the environment?

Through this module you will consider explanations for the rise of environmental concern as well as the forms of organisation that have been adopted to address environmental questions. You’ll follow the development of environmental protest from the philosophical to the political. In doing so, you examine various scales of political engagement including the grassroots, nation-state, and international.

We will critically examine sociological analyses of environmental inequality, protest participation, institutionalisation, and capitalist co-optation of sustainability efforts. Upon careful consideration of various interventions, approaches, theories, and bodies of research, you will gain confidence in confronting the sustainability challenges that currently and increasingly concern a variety of industries, charities, governments, civic organisations and communities. A greener, more sustainable and equitable society depends on people just like you. This class aims to foster your ambition, leadership, and collaborative skills to make it happen.

How can we use theory and empirical evidence to comprehend the relationship between society and the economy? How can sociological training shed light on a range of contemporary political and economic questions?

This module explores those questions from all angles. You’ll look at topics like work, the rise of precarious employment and the role of digital technologies in workplaces. You’ll also discuss issues like inequality and debt at the household, national, and global level, as well as issues around gendered and racialised divisions of labour and problems related to consumption practices.

Throughout the course, you’ll engage with fundamental questions around the nature of money, wealth creation and rent extraction and examine the effect of extractive industries on our economy and planet - paving the way for a fairer future.

How is science changing society? Global challenges such as the prevention and treatment of disease, finding cures for cancer, or fighting antimicrobial resistance are all underpinned by scientific research; as is addressing climate change, pollution, and safeguarding the world’s ability to produce food. Advances in technology have changed the ways we communicate, work, and interact with the world from the ubiquitousness of smart phones to video conferencing and remote working. But how are people engaging with scientific or medical research?

You will consider science and society through a sociological lens and consider the who, how, where, and whys of ‘doing’ science. You will explore the social, ethical, political, and economic implications of scientific progress. You’ll study the barriers to doing and being a scientist and the implications of absences of peoples and groups in research cultures or health research.

Building upon this, you will explore forms of societal governance of science; policies, guidelines and professional codes of conduct. You contribute to discussions on topics including: risk society and the “humanisation” of science, science and its environmental impact, biosecurity and biosafety, technology and inequality, intellectual property rights, public engagement and public consultation, citizen science, AI and posthumanism, and national innovation policies.

How do physical bodies influence the ways we perceive, understand, and engage with the world? How are bodies utilised to represent and experience our own and others’ gender and/or sexuality? How do these factors change how we are perceived, understood, and treated within society?

Everyone has a living, breathing body; so, everything we experience is by definition embodied. Yet bodies and gender are socially constructed, and embodiment is a contested term. Embodiment can describe how we represent ourselves at an individual or societal level: through the clothes we wear; whether we have tattoos; the way we use makeup; or how we ‘discipline’ ourselves through diet and exercise. Embodiment also describes a process of becoming and state of being more self-aware and conscious of the feelings, sensations, perceptions, judgements, and emotions that arise from, within, and about our bodies.

You will explore ways in which bodies can be researched and become tools for research, learning how bodies are a means of developing awareness and reflexivity. You will gain a deeper understanding of the body from a sociological perspective, exploring topics such as: hierarchies of oppression; gendered constructions of identity and sexuality; moving bodies; dis-abled bodies; and how certain bodies feel they do or do not belong.

Migration might be the most pressing issue of recent times, namely, migration, and its relationship to politics of identities, belonging and citizenship in global societies. Over the course of the term, you will explore migration through a series of key themes and issues. You will participate in debate and critically explore the ways in which migrants, refugees and diaspora communities shape their societies of settlement and origin and how they have become key actors of a process of ‘globalisation from below’ at different social and spatial scales.

You will critically discuss key concepts and theories deployed to analyse contemporary processes of migration, transnationalism and diaspora and assess their relevance across a wide range of migration case studies.

Examples of the central questions this module will address are: what are the main drivers of contemporary migration? To what extent can migrants become transnational citizens? What is the link between migration and homeland development in third world countries? How are gender, class and race relations affected by migration? By the end of this module, you will be able to accurately construct potential answers and debate points around these questions, giving you the toolbox to find resolutions to global discourse.

How does social experience from the Global South shape contemporary sociological debate and theory? This module attempts to answer that question by splitting it into three parts.

Firstly, you’ll explore the Global South and power struggles around in its historical context. You’ll examine the Eurocentric blindspots of supposedly ‘global’ or ‘cosmopolitan’ sociological outlooks and discuss what good social research should look like.

After developing a solid grasp of key historical and conceptual debates, you’ll move on to study specific regions (such as China, India and Africa) to deepen your understanding of issues such as universality and difference, resistance and subversion, national and transnational solidarities.

You’ll then conclude the module by looking at methodological and conceptual reflections on mainstream sociology. Depending both your knowledge of the global south, and understanding its context in modern sociology.

Increasingly, more and more of us come from cities, so understanding the urban environment is crucial for figuring out who we are, and plotting the course for where we might be going. You will explore global cities and key contexts for modern social life, producing distinctive forms of sociological research and enquiry. You will focus on, and contrast cities in the Global North and South to explore questions of urbanisation under capitalism, planning, consumerism, globalisation, social differentiation, multiculturalism, and comparative urbanism.

You’ll delve into key concerns such as questions of belonging, and the ‘right to the city’ including who belongs in - and who is excluded from - the public spaces of the city, and the processes underlying such dynamics, as well as the possibilities for resistance for marginalised social groups.

Through this, you will consider topics including gentrification, displacement, homelessness, and policing, as well as social movements and activism. Key theoretical perspectives introduced will include Marxism, the Chicago School, post-modernism, feminism and post-colonialism. To really explore questions and produce answers, you need to go beyond the classroom, as well as lectures and seminars, teaching will include practical workshops and fieldtrips to enable students to apply learning to live urban contexts and analysis.