This module introduces students to the sociological understanding of the social, political and economic institutions of modern societies; social diversity, inequality and social change in modern societies. The topics covered in this module may include:

-Democracy and the State in Modern Society
-Citizenship and the Welfare State
-Fordism, Taylorism and Modern Industry
-Social Relations at Work
-Class in Modern Society
-Gender in Modern Society
-Racism, Ethnicity and Migration
-New Social Movements
-Consumption and Social Divisions
-The Global Age: State, Society and Work beyond Modernity

Allen, John; Peter Braham and Paul Lewis (1992) Political and Economic Forms of Modernity, Cambridge: Polity Press.
Cohen, Robin and Paul Kennedy (2007) Global Sociology, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Hall, Stuart and Bram Gieben (1992) Formations of Modernity, Cambridge: Polity Press.
Pierson, Christopher (2004) The Modern State, London: Routledge.

One unseen examination under examination conditions (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4)

Learning and teaching methods (which enable students to achieve the learning outcomes):

1. A course of 11 weekly whole group lectures, plus a documentary, is delivered for which students are required to prepare

2. Weekly seminars for which students are required to prepare, and which give guidance on the use of independent study time; support the development of study skills; encourage students to engage with sociological concepts and themes introduced in lectures via discussions guided by questions on central issues; prepare students for their assessment.

3. A module handbook which includes a wide range of printed and web-based sources

The Library;
PCs with standard suite of University software providing access to e-mail, the Internet, word processing,
Blackboard; OHP and visual aids;
Powerpoint presentation equipment; video playback facilities; rooms with access for disabled students and suitable for group work.