BA (Hons) Sociology (Placement Year) Bachelor's degree at Lancaster University

How are your personal experiences connected to broader social forces? This module introduces you to the ‘sociological imagination’, a way of thinking that helps you make sense of the relationship between individual lives and society. Drawing on classic and contemporary sociological debates, you’ll explore key questions about individualism, institutions and social change. You'll learn to critically analyse how biography and history intersect, engaging with foundational ideas in the discipline. By developing your own sociological take on these themes, you’ll gain essential skills in critical thinking, argumentation and analysis, preparing you for further study and enabling you to see the world i

How do sociologists decide what to study and how to study it? This module introduces you to key debates in sociological research, exploring how different perspectives shape the questions we ask and the methods we use. You'll examine objective vs subjective positions, as well as feminist and decolonial critiques that have challenged traditional research approaches to sociological research. Through discussions and exercises, you'll begin to develop your own research interests and approach, reflecting on what it means to conduct sociological enquiry. By the end of the module, you’ll have a solid foundation in the principles of sociological research and a clearer sense of how to turn your questi

How can the ‘sociological imagination’ help us make sense of important contemporary topics? Focussing upon the sociological study of these topics, this module will explore how sociology explores them compared to other methods. These topics might include: Identity Family Crime Inequality Health Consumption Climate change By the end of the module, you'll be able to define sociology in your own terms and use core sociological ideas to critically analyse contemporary social challenges. You will also be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate more specialised topics, theories, and research methods as you progress in your studies.

Exploring how sociology can contribute to real-world change, this module focusses on the role of public sociology in addressing social inequalities, informing policy and engaging with communities. You will examine how sociological research can shape public debates, influence decision-making and be used as a tool for activism. Through case studies and practical activities, you will learn how sociologists communicate their work beyond academia, whether through media, policy engagement, or grassroots initiatives. The module will also encourage you to critically reflect on the ethical and political dimensions of public sociology. On completion, you will have a deeper understanding of how sociolog

How can the world we live in be understood and why does it often feel unequal? This module introduces ways of looking beneath the surface of everyday life to understand how power, inequality and social norms shape what comes to be seen as normal, fair or just. You will explore how ideas about success, poverty, gender, race and belonging are formed, challenged and changed over time. Rather than focusing on abstract theory, you will connect key ideas directly to contemporary life, from media narratives and political debates to everyday experiences. You will be encouraged to question taken for granted assumptions, recognise less visible forms of power, and understand how social problems come to

What are the biggest challenges shaping people’s lives today and why do they feel so difficult to change? This module focuses on the world as it is now: complex, fast moving, and often uncertain. You will explore issues that many of us are already encountering in our own lives, including the cost of living, housing insecurity, racism, gender inequality, mental health, digital harms and environmental crisis. Rather than treating these as separate topics, the module highlights how they connect, overlap and play out in everyday life. You will consider why some problems dominate public attention while others remain less visible, how media and political narratives shape understanding, and why res

Explore the dynamic field of Criminology where you will encounter a range of theoretical perspectives and debates that inform the discipline. Do you think that criminals are born bad? Or do they learn this behaviour from their families or as a product of where they grow up? We’ll debate it all! You will study both positivistic and social analyses of crime and criminalisation and learn to evaluate criminological theory in relation to a range of intellectual movements. You’ll evaluate these theories in relation to academic scholarship, empirical evidence, popularity and application in crime policy and practice, and in relation to their geographical, social, cultural and historical locations.

How do we learn about crime and criminals? Discover the methods criminologists use to study crime and the criminal justice system, moving beyond everyday assumptions and media portrayals. Using a range of topics within criminology as exemplars, you will learn to: formulate research questions conduct literature reviews design studies analyse findings You’ll develop the skills to think like a criminologist and be prepared for deeper engagement with the research field as you progress with your study of criminology.

Explore the intersection of crime, deviance, and popular culture in this module. You will focus on how crime is represented in entertainment and can be consumed for pleasure. Through critical analysis of films, television shows, literature, podcasts, and social media, you will examine how the portrayal of criminal acts, law enforcement, and justice shape societal understandings of these issues. You will consider the role entertainment plays in reinforcing or challenging dominant narratives surrounding crime, examining how popular culture serves as both a mirror to societal anxieties and a mechanism for cultural influence. Critically engaging with the concept of deviance, you'll question how

To understand crime, criminal justice and criminology in the 21st Century, we need some understanding of how these have evolved through history. You’ll encounter a brief history of crime and responses to crime, from the 19th Century to the present day. You will then be introduced to a cross-section of punishment practices in history, from the Bloody Code onwards. The module takes advantage of Lancaster as a historical city of crime and (in)justice. From the witch trials to our history of slavery; from the castle as a local prison to its current home of Lancaster Crown Courts, you will gain an introduction to the history of crime, punishment, and criminal justice policy in Britain.

Britain is one of the most successful and influential film industries in world cinema. In this module you will explore the key films, filmmakers and traditions that have shaped British cinema over the past century. Through a study of major genres, styles, filmmakers and themes, you will consider how British cinema has evolved and reflect on historical cinema-going habits. Alongside this historical overview, you will engage with critical debates. You’ll examine the relationship between national identity and cinema, the role of realism and recurring preoccupations with emotional repression, race, gender and social class. You will also explore how British cinema captures and shapes ideas of ‘’B

In order to ask questions about the way language works in society, how it connects with the mind/brain or how it is acquired by computers, you first need to know something about the foundational elements of language. This module will introduce you to the building blocks of human language. You will learn about sounds in language, how they are pronounced and how they can be combined to form words. We will teach you about the way words themselves are structured. You’ll also explore how language puts words together to build sentences of different types and how sentences express meaning, in isolation and in context. By the end of the module, you will be familiar with the essentials of phonetics,

The English language is not set in stone. It has changed over time and it differs depending on who is speaking it and where it is spoken. These facts are often ignored in the many myths surrounding its ‘proper’ form and use. This module will give you the knowledge to challenge those misconceptions by examining the history and varieties of English and attitudes toward it. You will gain an insight into the way English became standardised and into the complex role that prescriptivism has played in shaping it. You will come to appreciate that English is ever-changing as its grammar and vocabulary continue to evolve in new directions. You will also explore how and why the places where English is

Explore how English is used in real-world contexts by examining how people rely on common conversational routines – such as being polite – in everyday communication. You will be introduced to the role of English in media, investigating how it shapes news, what it looks like in advertising and online, and why it looks that way. You will also study creative uses of English, such as literature, and learn how to analyse the figurative language and style of texts. English is a language that is learnt by many people around the world. This module will address this special position of English and investigate the essentials of teaching it as an additional language. By the end, you will have a deeper

Language is intimately connected with both mind and society. Learn about the relationship between language and the mind as you explore questions central to linguistics such as: how does a child acquire their first language? To what extent does the language we speak influence the way we think? And what effect can brain damage have on language? You will also examine the different ways in which language intersects with society, with an introduction to the foundations of sociolinguistics and discourse analysis. You’ll also explore how communication works across different cultures and how language planning and policies can shape the world. As the module progresses, you will investigate the way mi

What does it mean to study media today? In this module, you’ll be introduced to major debates, theories and thinkers in studying media and culture. You will encounter a diverse range of material from different media, including: television, film, news, advertisements, social media, video games and more. You will explore the intersections between our cultural environment and our identities, aspirations, beliefs and value systems, to develop essential skills in critical thinking and analysis.

In this module you'll explore the dynamic relationship between media, society, and culture, examining how media influences and reflects cultural norms, identities, and power structures. You’ll consider the material, social and institutional contexts in which media forms have been produced, and think about the role of the media in creating communities, and both reproducing and tackling social inequalities. This module provides you with the skills to navigate complex debates about media and culture as you progress with your studies

Digital media both displaces and complements ‘traditional’ media, in ways that complicate the current media landscape and challenge some of our most fundamental media concepts.?This module explores how this happens through the integration of “old” and “new” media and ongoing transformations in the media industries. We examine how relations between consumers and producers are changing as the boundaries of media cultures are shifting, producing intercultural exchange but also fragmentation and radicalisation.?This module invites students to investigate their everyday digital media use and reflect on the expansion of digital media, its potentials and its pitfalls.

Media do not just reflect identities, but play an active role in bringing them into being. In this module, you will consider the role our screens – in all their many forms – play in producing our sense of self and the world around us. From selfies and avatars to being the subjects of film or advertisements, our ‘mediated selves’ cannot be avoided. How do we use media to represent and transmit a sense of ourselves to others? In what ways does self-representation allow us to assume and feel agency in our lives, and to connect with other selves? What does it mean to be shaped by media culture? You will critically engage with various media forms to understand their influence on identity formatio

Gain a nuanced understanding of the forces driving change in the international system and their implications for global order and human security. You will acquire the tools to navigate and contribute to a complex and interconnected world. The module moves beyond traditional state-centric perspectives to explore the complex interplay of actors, structures and processes shaping our world. You will delve into global governance and address the emergence of new security threats, while tackling shifting power-dynamics at both the national and international level. Throughout the module, you will engage with a variety of case studies that illustrate the complexities of these global issues. Through d

Learn how to analyse highly contemporary political events and trends, and develop the vital critical skills required to be able to put them into context. You will also discover how to relate these issues to core empirical questions and debates within academic research on politics. Taking a problem-based learning approach, you’ll use evidence to evaluate competing explanations for recent political developments. These may include: Democracy and elections Political leadership The state and globalisation Structural inequalities Political institutions Public opinion and protest. Lancaster’s politics experts have extensive expertise across different regions of the globe and we are quick to respond

The world is full of “wicked problems”, from inequality, to unemployment, to housing crisis, to climate change. We need innovative policy to tackle these complex issues. On this module you will act as policy advisors, learning how to solve complex problems and produce practical recommendations to government for policy change. Working in teams on real-world policy cases, you will develop your understanding of the policymaking process from policy design to evaluation. We’ll touch on questions such as: Why do some issues get framed as problems and make it to the policy agenda? How is policy formulated? Why do policies fail? By the end of this module, you’ll have the skills to evaluate policy, p

Explore how the history of political thought can help us make sense of contemporary crises such as political instability, economic crises, deepening inequalities, environmental degradation and technological disruptions. In this troubled world, the enduring questions of power and resistance have gained new urgency and continue to animate contemporary political debates. What can Marx tell us about the dangers or promises of AI? How would Frantz Fanon engage with Black Lives Matter? What would Hannah Arendt say about social media’s impact on democracy? You will encounter the major and neglected currents in the history of political ideas such as: Liberalism Socialism Feminism The Black radical t

Discover the key concepts that shape our understanding of British politics, learn how to conduct political analysis, and gain a sophisticated understanding of the complexities of the British political landscape. In this module we will open the black box of British politics. We'll explore the ideological foundations of major parties, tracing the Conservative Party's evolution from One-Nation to Thatcherism and Brexit, and analysing Labour's shift from Old to New Labour and the dilemmas of social democracy today. Through contemporary debates in the classroom and rigorous text analysis, you'll fine-tune your presentation skills, develop critical analytical skills by learning how to dissect poli

How should you live? Who should you be? What should you value? What is value? And on what basis can anyone make such claims? This module introduces you to philosophical ethics, the systematic theoretical study of these questions. You will develop both your philosophical skills, and a map of the landscape of philosophical ethics by practicing critical reading and discussion and writing about questions relating to a range of topics. Topics may include: Major ethical theories such as utilitarianism, deontology, contractarianism, or virtue ethics Global moral dilemmas relating to areas such as the environment, medicine, poverty, or technology Goodness and rightness Personhood and selfhood Practi

In this module you will explore religion as a central dimension of global society, focusing on how religious ideas, practices, and identities intersect with major political and ethical issues. It provides a focused introduction to religion in global contexts. The module is organised into three main areas, which explore “religion” as a category of analysis. These may be organised either regionally – for example, Africa, South Asia, and the Muslim world – or thematically, depending on available expertise. Thematic focuses may include issues such as conflict and peacebuilding, climate change and environmental ethics, or questions of gender, identity, and power. Throughout this course you will e

From questions about truth, justice, and knowledge to debates over freedom, power, and human purpose - how has philosophical inquiry shaped cultural, political, and scientific life across centuries? In this module you will explore the major ideas and traditions that have guided the development of Western thought. Specific thinkers examined will vary from year to year, but they will include philosophers whose ideas have helped shape philosophical viewpoints, categories and boundaries in the western philosophical tradition. You will be encouraged to think about the problems and limitations of different thinkers’ approaches, and their impact on the way we practice and understand the boundaries

Explore philosophical traditions not usually studied in standard histories of philosophy, and understand what we gain by including them in our interpretation of the history of philosophy. By engaging with understudied texts and contexts in this module, you will learn to question familiar narratives about philosophical history and to reconstruct alternative lineages and conceptual resources. And by comparing various traditions, you will develop tools to think across boundaries and to put diverse voices into conversation, comparison, and contrast. You will study at least two philosophical traditions in depth, in dialogue, and in their historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts. The specif

What is real, how can we know, and how can we check our reasoning? In this module you will study philosophical tools for reasoning and arguing (critical thinking) and discover fundamental philosophical questions about knowledge (epistemology) and the nature of reality (metaphysics). In studying critical thinking, you will learn methods of constructing and analysing arguments and acquire basic logical terminology. In exploring epistemology, you’ll discuss questions such as: what exactly is it to ‘know’ something? Can we know anything at all? Are there alternative knowledges? In metaphysics, you will consider questions such as: what is the fundamental nature of reality? How are we to understan

Political philosophy explores how best to arrange our collective life - through our political institutions, social practices and shared values, and through the economic, private and public structures that support them. In this module you will consider critical debates that both historical and contemporary communities have faced about the boundaries, rights and duties of the state, community and individual citizens, through consideration of core concepts and values in political philosophy, such as justice, freedom, and equality. You will examine central questions about the justification of power and the rights and duties of people within political communities. And you will apply these foundat

Introducing you to a diverse range of theoretical perspectives from around the world, this module will analyse how different social theories help us understand the emergence and transformation of our societies. Through exploring these theories’ historical contexts and contemporary relevance, you will engage with key debates on topics such as capitalism, class, colonialism, globalisation and social reproduction and examine how these issues are theorised across different intellectual traditions. Encouraging you to think critically about the connections between theories and the contexts in which they develop, you will foster a global and comparative approach to sociological thought. Through clo

Equipping you with essential research skills to explore pressing social questions, this module will dive into how sociologists investigate the world around us. You will learn a range of methods, from qualitative approaches like interviews, ethnography and discourse analysis to quantitative techniques such as survey analysis and social statistics. Through hands-on exercises, you will develop your ability to collect, analyse and interpret data. The module allows you to deepen your understanding of specific methods while working independently and in groups, supported by expert guidance. Whether designing a research project, writing a dissertation, or producing policy reports, this module provid

Preparing you for independent research, this module will guide you through the process of developing sociological research questions, selecting appropriate methodologies and considering ethical and practical challenges. You will explore different research designs, from case studies and comparative analysis to trend studies and mixed-method approaches. Through practical workshops, you will refine your ability to justify methodological choices and align them with research aims. Following on from Research in Action, this module is distinct in its focus on the conceptual and strategic aspects of research design, rather than specific data collection techniques. It will provide you with the necess

Explore gender through a transnational and decolonial approach, as this module examines its intersections with race, class, nationality, sexuality, disability, religion and the environment. You will analyse historical and contemporary examples from around the world, engaging with key debates that shape feminist research and activism. Drawing on diverse feminist perspectives, including Black, Indigenous and queer critiques, the module will challenge you to think critically about complex topics such as: Sex work Sexual violence Islamophobia Transgender rights Reproductive justice Ecofeminism Migration The course also brings these perspectives and positions to bear on what it means design, cond

The future of state-funded welfare is one of the most pressing social questions of our time. This module explores the history, purpose and politics of welfare states, examining what social welfare is, who it is for and how it should be funded and delivered. You will consider the social and political debates that have shaped social welfare and trace their development over time. Topics covered may include education, health, housing, social security and unemployment. You will explore how welfare systems are funded, managed and organised and analyse the impact of social welfare cuts on poverty and social inequality. The module also examines the moral and political tensions within welfare debates

Explore how gender identities and sexualities are constructed, normalised, and navigated in relation to media and popular culture. Drawing on feminist and queer media research, we examine how representations in the media play a role in reinforcing gender binaries and heteronormative social roles and identities, focussing on how media and popular culture have been co-opted as a space of creative resistance. The module takes an intersectional approach, examining gender and sexuality within complex relations of class, race, ethnicity, dis/ability and age. We examine these questions by engaging with a wide range of spaces and platforms including film, television, fashion, music, public space, an