Sociology

In this course, Professor Martyn Hammersley (The Open University) explores the concept of objectivity within sociology and social research. In the first module, we think about the development of the concept from the early twentieth century and...

In this course, Dr Ross Abbinnett (University of Birmingham) explores notions of modernity and postmodernity in sociological theory. In the first module, we consider the meaning of modernity and its characteristics. In the second, we look at...

In this course, Professor Pat Thane (Birkbeck, University of London) explores family policy in Britain since the 1960s. In the first module, we set the context by thinking about some key features of family life prior to the 1960s. In the second,...

In this course, Dr David Scott (The Open University) explores key philosophical and sociological approaches to prisons, punishment and penology. In the first module, we introduce some key areas of interest within penology, looking especially at...

In this course, Professor Linda Woodhead (Lancaster University) explores secularisation theory and evidence around the decline of religion in modern society. In the first module, we consider three classical theories of secularisation provided by...

In this course, Professor Tariq Modood (University of Bristol) explores sociological approaches to multiculturalism and integration. In the first module, we think about traditional understandings of integration as being grounded in cultural,...

In this course, Dr Angus Nurse (Nottingham Trent University) explores green criminology and crimes against wildlife and the environment. In the first module, we introduce some key definitions, concepts and areas of interest within green...

In this course, Professor Kate Bowers (University College, London) explores the theory and practice of situational crime prevention (SCP). In the first module, we think about the role of situation and opportunity in crime, including the important...

In this course, Dr Karen Evans (University of Liverpool) explores several topics related to gender and crime. In the first module, we think about the differences between men and women as perpetrators of crime. To what extent, in other words, is...

In this course, Professor William Outhwaite (Newcastle University) explores the positivist and interpretivist approaches to social research. In the first module, we provide an introduction to positivism, before turning in the second module to some...

In this course, Dr Nilima Gulrajani (Overseas Development Institute) explores global aid and its relationship to development. In the first module, we consider the emergence of the modern global aid system from mid-twentieth century. In the second,...

In this course, Professor Katie Willis (Royal Holloway, University of London) explores theories of global development. In the first module, we look at development as a contested concept, and at some of the ways it has been defined and measured. In...