BA (Hons) Sociology Bachelor's degree at the University of Nottingham

In this module, you will develop the core skills and ways of thinking you need to thrive in criminology, sociology or social work. You'll explore the idea of the social science imagination, a way of connecting your personal experiences with wider social issues and structures. You will learn how to approach academic writing with confidence, understand what different assessment tasks expect from you, and carry out effective literature searches using academic databases. The module also helps you bu

Culture shapes how we see the world and how the world sees us. This module introduces you to the importance of studying culture as a way of understanding our identities and the social world we live in. You'll explore how cultural meanings influence our sense of self and others and how ideas about identity, such as gender, race, class and sexuality are shaped by the society we're part of. Through examples from everyday life, including film, television, food and fashion, you'll examine how popular

This module introduces you to the sociological analysis of some exciting and controversial issues of our time which pertain to our health, technology and the natural environment. It considers the role of governments, business corporations, the media, and activist groups. It also considers theories about the cultural perception of these issues and how the media reports on them. The module combines theoretical work with empirical case studies, thus providing you with a sound understanding of how s

Sociology in Action invites you to explore how sociological knowledge can be used to engage with the world and contribute to meaningful social change. You'll focus on sociology as having a civic purpose or one that not only explains society but also seeks positive social change. You'll deepen your understanding of how individuals interact with key social structures such as family, education, politics and the economy, while critically examining how power, inequality and stratification operate bot

In this module, you will discover the key ideas, thinkers and debates that have shaped sociology as a discipline. You'll explore how social theories developed in response to major political, economic and cultural changes and how they continue to help you make sense of the world today. You will learn how sociology connects with subjects such as philosophy, politics and economics and how these links open up different ways of understanding society. Throughout the module, you'll examine how identity

In this module, you'll learn the fundamentals of social social research and the role it plays in sociology, criminology, social policy, and social work. You'll explore different approaches to social science research and how they can be used to examine social issues. You will explore key methodological considerations and approaches using case studies and classroom activities. You'll also examine issues related to ethics, power, and different standpoints and develop the foundations of what is requ

This module provides a critical introduction to classical and contemporary sociological theory, exploring how key thinkers and ideas have shaped and continue to shape our understanding of society. You'll engage with foundational theorists, while also examining influential 20th and 21st century perspectives that respond to, and build upon, these traditions. Through close reading and discussion, you'll explore major theoretical debates and methodological innovations and consider how sociological t

This module introduces you to the core principles and practices of qualitative research in the social sciences. You'll explore how qualitative methods are used to investigate complex social issues, understand lived experiences and interpret meaning in everyday life. Through lectures, seminars and practical activities, you'll learn how to evaluate different qualitative approaches, such as interviews, focus groups and observation and consider when and how they are best applied. A key part of the m

Discover the principles and practices of working with quantitative data in the social sciences and explore how quantitative and qualitative approaches can be combined through mixed methods research. You'll learn how to evaluate different types of quantitative methods, understand their strengths and limitations and begin to apply them to real-world social questions. You'll also explore the logic and design of mixed methods research, gaining insight into how combining data types can offer a more c

Understand socio-economic inequalities within and between societies. This module explores theoretical perspectives and case studies to analyse the construction, reproduction and impact of inequalities. You'll develop skills in data analysis and policy evaluation.

This module examines the impact of digital technologies on identity, belonging, intimacy, work, family and civic participation. Students will explore how social media platforms like Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram enable us to track our daily lives and routines, filter our realities, form intimate relations, engage in politics and protest. The module addresses both digital engagement and resistance, critically engaging with key conceptual and theoretical debates in digital sociology. Students

Explore the ways in which social identities and subjectivities can be created, maintained and expressed through the body with reference to pervasive beauty norms. You will draw upon sociological theories of feminism and normativity, including geographies of the body and the sociology of beauty, food and diet, body modification and adornment, whiteness, resistance and body work. You will also engage with corporeal mapping of class, gender ethnicity and sexuality and examine surveillance discourse

This module introduces you to the Sociology of Health and Illness through the examination of a range of themes and examples. Studying illness allows us to explore the way society responds to some of the