Sociology

Classical Sociological Theories
This module provides an introduction to the major issues and controversies surrounding the definition, development and teaching of 'classical' social theory. Students will explore a range of contemporary issues concerning how classical sociological theories contribute to sociological understanding and methods within sociology, and ‘wider world’ non-academic social and cultural contexts.

Poverty, Inequality and Social Welfare
Students will examine the historical existence of poverty and inequality in British society and the evolution of state derived policies designed to control, regulate and alleviate poverty. Through exploring concepts such as lesser eligibility and the deserving and undeserving poor, the module will also link the historical origins of attitudes to poverty to contemporary debates.

Social Justice and Social Exclusion
Debates around contemporary social issues, and the way competing theories of social justice and social exclusion have impacted political debates around moral legitimacy, will be explored. Through this analysis, students will develop their understanding of controversies within and between social/political philosophy/theory and sociology.

Past, Present & Future Sociologies
This module will introduces students to the discipline of sociology at degree level  and develops what C. Wright Mills terms the ‘sociology imagination’. Topics will include changes in lifestyles; crime and deviance; the life course; education, and the media and artificial intelligence.

Research, Evaluation & Policy
Students will learn to see the link between academic research and research and evaluation in the workplace, as well as its importance to social policy. The focus here is very much on applied sociology and includes examination of case studies and real-life scenarios, as well as the opportunity to apply techniques such as SWOT analysis and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Equity, Equality and Diversity
Equality and diversity are widely used, crucial, but contested terms in contemporary society. This module will explore different senses of these terms, as deployed in contemporary policy, theory, and discourse – and the challenges and debates to which they give rise.

Contemporary Sociological Theory
Understanding social theory as a way to make sense of our place in the world and how sociological theorists attempt to address the concerns of the day. The theorists and issues discussed include: Talcott Parsons; Symbolic Interactionism; The Frankfurt School: Critical theory; Habermas, and Foucault.

Society and the Environment
As one of the first countries to commit to sustainable development, there is a focus on the development of policy in Wales. However, this is explored within the context of international policy development and locally rooted responses. Students will consider policy on sustainable development and their own ecological footprint.

Design Thinking, Research Methods & Project Management
This module will allow students to see the link between research and project management, and recognise the usefulness of design thinking. Students will be given the opportunity to use techniques such as empathy mapping, stakeholder engagement, and accelerating the SDGs to consider societal problems and public services issues.

Work Experience in Sociology
This module reflects how the discipline of sociology is relevant to a diverse range of occupations. Topics include CV building, recruitment processes, interview skills and personal reflection. Students are required to complete seventy hours of practical experience within an agreed placement tailored towards their particular interests and aspirations.

Global Perspectives on Violence and Conflict
Students will receive a comprehensive overview of the socio-cultural theories of violence, and how these theories relate to local and global contexts, taking into consideration interdisciplinary case studies. Social theory will be applied to a range of violent behaviours in society, and issues such as cross-cultural variations and political violence will be explored.

Youth Studies, Young People and Social Policy
Students will engage with historical, theoretical and applied understandings of social policy as it affects the complex and changing lives of young people in the UK, Europe and the wider world. From the personal to the political, from global to local governance, and from research, through policy, to practice, the lens of the key social policies that shape the transitions of young people from childhood to adulthood will be explored.

Dissertation – Social Policy
The dissertation/social impact project will enable students to pursue an in-depth research project on a topic of their choice. Students will complete a 10,000 word fieldwork or library based dissertation/social impact project.

Global Studies
Global Studies examines the forces that shape communities across the contemporary world, while developing perspectives and practices that maximise well-being for all global citizens. Topics include technologies of automation; ethnic and religious politics in a globalised world; the role of international and global organisations (e.g. the United Nations, World Bank, IMF, WTO), and the SDGs.

Self and Society
The relation between selfhood and society from a variety of viewpoints and perspectives afforded by certain theoretical traditions and philosophers is explored, as related to, for example, existentialism, Kantianism, liberalism, utilitarianism, and communitarianism. Key issues critiqued include values of freedom, self-interest, equality, social justice, happiness, and/or well-being.

Community Activism in Civil Society
The roles played by civil society and community activism in responding to social issues and problems in a range of social and political contexts is examined. A key concern is how the often uneasy relationship between civil society and the state are impacted by different political ideologies such as Keynesianism and Neoliberalism, and by community activism.