Compulsory modules

Making Sense of Politics
How do we make sense of studying politics and the changing nature of politics? This module addresses the contestable nature of politics and its relevance in contemporary society. You will explore the concepts of power, democracy and terrorism, applying these concepts to contemporary issues to better understand the political world. You will engage with external actors to reflect on how current national and/or world issues are framed from diverse perspectives and angles, working in small groups to develop your ideas.

Understanding Inequalities
How can we mobilise our sociological imagination to make sense of the social divisions and inequalities that persist across time and are reproduced in different cultures and societies? This module introduces the theoretical foundations of sociological thinking, tracing its origins as a 'science of society' to its contemporary applications in understanding inequality. You will learn to recognise how classical theories illuminate social divisions around race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability, through a discussion of the causes and impacts of wide-ranging forms of discrimination.

Power, Identity and Resistance
Exploring the ways in which individuals interact with others to shape meaning about identities, the purpose of this module is to understand power in social relations. You will learn how to identify the relationship between institutions, groups and individuals in forming knowledge and regulating behaviour. Crucially, we consider resistance to dominant forms of meaning through an examination of deviance and subculture, culminating with a reflection of the construction of self in digital societies.

Becoming a Social Scientist
This module transitions you to university scholarship and introduces the employability and professional skills that a social science degree provides through a range of action-focused activities, e.g. analysing local council budgets and making decisions about where to invest money. Overall, the module introduces you to vital academic and professional skills and competencies that will allow you to thrive in the first year of undergraduate study.

Optional modules

British Politics: Welfare, Economy and Society
How did we get to the state we're in? This module focuses on the domestic and international dimensions of British politics, presenting an overview of the key debates that have shaped post-WW2 British politics. You will develop an understanding of key events and the importance of ideas such as welfare, decline, immigration, governability and populism. You will enhance your critical reading and analytical skills, developing a better understanding of how the past can help us make sense of the present.

Imagining Social Order and Deviance
Imagining Social Order and Deviance explores societal norms, values, and the construction of deviance through a series of real-life case studies. You are invited to engage with diverse perspectives on what constitutes social order and deviant behaviour and consider the complexities of social control mechanisms, the stigmatisation of marginalised groups, and the dynamics of power in shaping perceptions of deviance. By fostering a deep understanding of the intricacies of social order and deviance, this module empowers you to challenge prevailing narratives and envision more equitable and inclusive societies.

Compulsory modules

Redefining Social Theory: Digital and Global Perspectives
How can we mobilise our sociological imagination to understand the complexities and challenges of the modern world and our place within it? This module rethinks classic sociological theories for the global digital world, considering poststructural, intersectional and non-Western perspectives. You will gain a critical appreciation of how competing sociologies have emerged as our understanding of positionality and difference has developed, and look to the ways in which the sociological project has been stretched to incorporate debates about our non-human world.

Global Democracy under Threat?
In the face of challenges from above, below and within, democracy around the world is under threat. From challenges posed by populism and autocratic leadership, to increasing political mistrust and declining levels of participation set against a backdrop of the threat posed by AI and misinformation, global democracies face numerous different threats. You will develop your data handling and analysis skills, exploring whether global democracy is resilient or in retreat and complete diverse assessments designed for an external audience.

Social Science Research Methods and Data Analysis
How can we know the world and the societies around us? This module introduces you to the core social science of designing, implementing, and analysing social and global phenomena. You will learn to identify and analyse data sources that might be used by social scientists in real world situations. From quantitative surveys to qualitative interviews and ethnographic studies, you will explore methodological approaches to understanding society and develop practical researcher skills that prepare you to carry out original research.

Social Science at Work
This module introduces you to possible careers for social scientists and links to the work you are doing in your subject core and option modules asking the question ‘how can we mobilise academic study into the real world?’ You will also be encouraged to prepare for placement work that you may pursue and reflecting on your social media footprint; developing your personal/professional brand and digital networking platforms.

Optional modules

People, Power and Participation
Who participates in politics and why? What are the barriers to participation for women, young people and ethnic minorities? Why does participation vary? What are the different ways we can participate? How can we encourage more people to participate in politics? And what is the relationship between participation and democracy? You will explore the dynamics of citizen engagement and how political activism can lead to political change, reflecting on our own roles as political actors and drivers of political change.

Social Design
Social Design is an interdisciplinary module exploring the interplay between societal structures, human behavior, and crime, that equips you with the knowledge and skills to critically analyse, design, and implement interventions that foster safer and more inclusive communities. You will explore how social factors influence crime patterns and the efficacy of preventive measures. Depending on your subject interest you may explore the role of social policies in shaping community dynamics or design principles for crime prevention strategies, as a means to address complex social challenges.

Work Placement for Social Sciences
This module is designed to give you the opportunity to contribute to the world beyond the university. The chosen workplace may be, for example, with the local borough council, other government-related institutions, as well as other UK-based public or private sectors (e.g., businesses, risk analysis, PR, Journalism, charity, radio). While on the placement, you will produce a portfolio that you can draw on in future applications and interviews, reflecting on and giving evidence of the activities/outputs completed at their chosen workplace. 

Compulsory modules

The Dark Side of Politics
The global political landscape is increasingly dominated by self-interest, violence, corruption, distrust, alienation, deception, polarisation and institutional failure. As citizens feel increasingly alienated from the political process, trust with political elites and satisfaction with democracy around the world, particularly in the face of technological advances such as AI, is in decline. In this module, you will focus on the dark side of politics, exploring issues such as polarisation, corruption and anti-politics from a global perspective, developing your critical analytical skills.

Social Futures
What is society in a world governed by data and algorithms? How do we adapt to and influence social change? In this module, you will analyse how societies respond to and resist transformations wrought by the technological revolution. Considering a series of case studies relating to the big social challenges of our time, from the spread of misinformation and rise of conspiratorial thinking to the human response to climate change, you will apply your knowledge of sociology to provide a roadmap for navigating the changing world and suggest optimistic alternatives for the future.

Engaged Social Science
Moving on from the previous skills modules, you will further consider how your degree can link to a range of life skills and careers through engagement with community groups, activists and people working in public and private sectors. You will be supported in your next steps either through transition to the workplace or postgraduate study.

Optional modules

Dissertation in Politics
This module provides guidance in researching and writing a dissertation. You will develop your ability to work independently and enhance your research skills, including identifying a suitable research topic; developing appropriate research questions; identifying, assessing and analysing relevant literature and evidence; reflecting on the ethical implications of conducting research and structuring and writing up your work clearly and effectively. You can choose to conduct a desk-based project or undertake a fieldwork-based project that may involve working with an external partner.

Independent Study Project in Sociology
The Independent Study Project, or dissertation, is the culmination of your sociological journey. You will work with a supervisor to design and produce an original sociological study on a topic of your choice. The dissertation allows you to apply your theoretical and methodological understandings of sociology to a research problem in either sociological literature or the social field. You can also choose to collaborate with an external organisation, conducting research that provides valuable insights to benefit their work.

Parliamentary Studies
This module provides an in-depth knowledge of how the UK Parliament works in both theory and practice. Taught in conjunction with staff from the Westminster Parliament, the module examines Parliament’s increasing prominence as a policy-making actor in the twenty-first century, particularly in the context of Brexit. The module gives you the tools to critically evaluate the role of Parliament in shaping policy and politics. You will engage with Parliamentary practitioners, visit Parliament and complete assessments set by Parliamentary staff.

Beyond Human
Beyond Human explores social behaviour, structures, and interactions among non-human entities, such as animals, artificial intelligence, and other forms of non-human life, seeking to understand the social dynamics present in non-human societies and their interactions with human societies. From examining the ethics of Artificial Intelligence to exploring the implications of environmental degradation on crime patterns, you will critically explore the complexities of human and non-human interconnectedness in shaping societies. 

Work Placement for Final Year Social Sciences
This module is designed to give you the opportunity to contribute to the world beyond the university. The chosen workplace may be, for example, with the local borough council, other government-related institutions, as well as other UK-based public or private sectors (e.g., businesses, risk analysis, PR, Journalism, charity, radio). While on the placement, you will produce a portfolio that they can draw on in future applications and interviews, reflecting on and giving evidence of the activities/outputs completed at their chosen workplace.

Please note: You must take either 'Dissertation in Politics' or the 'Independent Study Project in Sociology' module. You may complete an interdisciplinary project, but you must do this as part of the Dissertation/ISP module.