BA (Hons) Sociology Bachelor's degree at Westminster

This module provides a critical vocabulary for exploring and understanding the relationship between the self and society. It introduces classic and contemporary accounts of identity and critically explores sociological accounts of identity and its formation.

London Explored takes the city as a context to explore the urban sociology literature and to undertake a research project on London which culminates in an individual project proposal. You will choose a topic of interest and write an individual literature review, and then formulate a research question and develop a quantitative research project proposal which explores your research question.

Researching Society is an introduction to doing sociology. Taking research on London as a focus, you learn how to formulate sociological questions and how to identify what kinds of research methods are appropriate for answering them. The module also introduces the academic skills essential to degree level learning, such as sourcing and retrieving information, referencing and academic writing, and assists in supporting your transition to HE.

Social media provides us with an accessible and up-to-date point of departure for an exploration of contemporary culture and society. The module introduces key concepts in digital sociology and provides you with tools to analyse a variety of cultural texts and practices. Grounded in students' own use of social media, we reflect on some of the significant ways in which technology shapes, and is shaped by, everyday life in the 21st century.

This module is an introduction to how classical sociological theory has explained social structures and divisions in society. The work of Marx, Durkheim and Weber is introduced to explain the transition from traditional to modern society. Drawing on key features of contemporary society the module also questions and critiques the classical theorists' applicability to 21st century global society.

This module provides an introduction to gender and sexuality studies via feminist, queer and intersectional social thought. The first part of the module sets out the interconnections between sex, gender and sexuality, critiques of essentialism and ethnocentrism, and questions of privilege and inequality. The rest of the module explores a range of contemporary topics in gender, sexuality and LGBTQ studies including gender-based and sexual violence, masculinities, bodies and cultural representatio

This module provides an introduction to contemporary debates in the sociology of race. Each week is organised around a key concept, challenging 'common sense' ideas about racial difference, ethnicity and culture. Exploring the significance of race in the organisation of social and cultural life, this module assumes no prior knowledge of the topic, and provides an excellent foundation for the further study of race at levels 5 and 6. This module includes an external visit such as a walking tour of

This module explores the development of social theorising in the 20th century, continuities and discontinuities in social theorising and how core concepts of classical theory have been reworked in response to changing times. Theories include the Frankfurt School, Marxism, feminism and postcolonial critiques. Module outcomes include becoming a critical and creative thinker, a literate and effective communicator, global in outlook and social awareness.

In this module, students will develop their understanding of a range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. We pay particular attention to practical and ethical issues involved in designing and conducting research, and how to choose the most appropriate methodological approach to answer different types of research questions. The module adopts a critical approach to research methodology, focusing on how sociological and criminological research can help us understand and challenge

This module provides work-based learning (WBL), requiring you to prepare for employment through evaluating skills, producing a CV and LinkedIn profile, undertaking WBL activities and reflecting on the skills gained with reference to the wider structure of the labour market and graduate employment.

This module explores how childhood and youth are understood and experienced in contemporary societies. Critical perspectives on childhood development, risk, family relationships, digital lives, youth culture, identity and place, and generational justice will be examined. The module has a strong policy focus and will be of particular interest to those planning a future working with children or young people.

This module examines contemporary issues in education practice and policy. Through study of the sociology of education literature and of English education policy, you'll examine the inequalities of the English neoliberal school system, through the lenses of social class, gender, race, (dis)ability, sexuality and beyond. You'll also examine assessment and accountability (including school inspection), early years education, school discipline, mental health and wellbeing, and alternative and home e

Emotions are not just a private matter. This module explores the centrality of emotions to interpersonal and social life such as love, shame and anger. It examines theories which challenge our assumptions that emotions are solely psychological cognitive states. It will offer alternative models which make the case that emotions emerge out of the social relations in which you are experienced, and are thus tied to social inequalities of gender, class and race. The module includes a reflective asses

This module focuses on the study of food, taste and consumption. Based primarily in sociological thinking, it will explore how the experience of taste is not limited to our own sensual likes and dislikes, but deeply embedded in class, history, patterns of migration, tourism and culture. It will also focus on the 'experience economy' of the dining and eating scene in London - from fine dining to fusion 'global' cuisine and the rise of farmers' markets and food festivals.

The strong link between globalisation and the media has brought about some of the most fundamental social, political and economic changes across the globe. This module assesses how globalisation facilitates the instant exchange of information and the news, and asks questions about the expanded reach of multinational corporations through greater information connectivity, global advertising strategies, and integration of economic activity across borders.

This module provides a critical introduction to the sociology of leisure. It examines the ways leisure is embedded in existing forms of inequality and the ways our leisure activities can both resist and reinforce existing discourses of work, time, public space, and identity. Drawing upon recent scholarship in urban studies, cultural studies and sociology, the module asks how you might critically evaluate and understand leisure and, in doing so, challenge normative notions of pleasure.

This module takes recent and established research in urban sociology and urban policy to examine the themes of belonging, community, and diversity in the contemporary city. The ways cities are represented, lived, imagined, planned and researched will be critically examined in light of wider sociological debates about identity, diversity, and globalisation. Using London as a focus, the module examines a range of contemporary debates including gentrification, the right to the city, public space, a

This module is an exploration in contemporary social theory. It introduces poststructuralist perspectives, and engages with an eclectic range of sociological theories and debates that provide new and exciting ways of thinking about life in the 21st century. You are shown how theories can be used to explore, explain and understand contemporary social issues, problems or concerns.

The dissertation is about doing sociology. Students select a topic of their choice for in-depth research, which normally relates to their experience or something of interest in a module. Students showcase the knowledge and skills gained throughout their degree in setting their own question, operationalising key concepts in a coherent research framework, conducting, analysing and critically evaluating their research.

The module examines family diversity, family practices and intimate relationships, drawing on contemporary sociological work in family studies and in ch