This module is focused on the sociology of contemporary inequalities. We adopt a theoretically informed empirical attitude in developing students’ understanding of the ways in which society is unevenly organised and experienced. Commensurately, students will develop an understanding of the ways in which sociologists have studied and conceptualised various inequalities. We examine a wide range of inequalities, looking in more depth at those introduced in the first year, to new areas of inequality. Students will engage with empirical materials in examining inequalities and learn to apply various theoretical perspectives to understand such matters. In addition, the module aims to enable students to critically engage with a range of cultural representations of certain social groups in the UK. A key and guiding theme in the module is a direct continuation of that introduced in Year 1: that is, how is it that sociology can better understand and engage with the relationship between personal troubles and public issues?

• Understand and describe a range of contemporary inequalities, their causes, and their consequences. (LO1) 

• Describe various competing theoretical explanations of inequality, demonstrating an awareness of the relationship between theory and data. (LO2) 

• Synthesize and evaluate sociological research on of inequality. (LO3) 

• Work with and apply complex theoretical ideas to everyday experiences. (LO4) 

The module will be delivered through a mix of large group and small group sessions, as well as online teaching and learning activities and materials. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year.

Academic Skills 

• Students will apply a sociological imagination to representations and reports. (LO1) 

• Students will develop a critical and sociological style of argumentation in writing. (LO2) 

• Students will become familiar with working with a wide range of literature and material. (LO3) 

• Students will develop their ability to communicate complex material and ideas for both academic and non-academic audiences. (LO3) 

• Students will be able to critically understand, approach, and engage with contemporary society using their sociological imagination. (LO4) 

Module-Specific Skills 

• Students will learn about a range of contemporary inequalities, including the reporting and representation of various causes and consequences of inequality. (LO1) 

• Students will develop their capacity to describe competing theoretical explanations of inequality and distinguishing these from empirical accounts. (LO2) 

• Students will be able to combine and assess findings from different studies of inequality. (LO3) 

• Students will formulate and apply complex ideas to their everyday experiences. (LO4) 

Employability Skills 

• Students will develop general presentational and organisational skills. (LO3) 

• Students will be able to read, describe, and review detailed material and navigate key sources in the field. (LO3) 

Summative (Essay, 25% contribution)  
750-word essay. This will be designed to meet two of the four learning objectives.  

Summative (Essay, 75% contribution)  
2,250-word essay. This will be designed to meet all four learning objectives.  

Where a student fails to pass a module, then the Exam Board will discuss the opportunity to retake any units of assessment that they did not pass at the first attempt. In these cases, the module mark will be capped. Further details of resit and repeat rules can be found in Senate Regulations for Taught Programmes. 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. 

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session. 

The syllabus content may change according to the expertise of the teaching team involved in the module for the academic year in question. However, the module has previously covered the following topics:  
 

• Social class and inequality  

• Wealth and ‘elites’  

• Poverty, precarity, and welfare  

• Debt, housing and austerity 

• Britishness  

• The politics of race and immigration  

• Uneven mobilities and urban space  

• Homelessness  

• Digital inequalities and social media  

• Ageing and inequalities  

• Disability and austerity  

• Gender, stigma, and parent-blame 

• Care, social reproduction and capitalism