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Popular Culture, Media & Society - SOC00009I

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  • Department: Sociology
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. David Beer
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23
B Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module helps students to develop an understanding of the sociological significance of popular culture and its dissemination through contemporary media. The module aims to foster critical approaches in understanding the social implications of media and popular culture (with reference to sociological issues such as power, class, networks, community, production and consumption). The sessions will draw upon examples and sociological literature to explore the relations between popular culture, media and society. As a result students will be introduced throughout the nodule to theoretical and empirical work that has been conducted into these relations and will develop strategies for thinking sociologically about popular culture and the media.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module:

  • Students will develop understandings of sociological work on popular culture and the media.
  • Students will develop an understanding of the relations between popular culture, media and society.
  • Students will develop a sound understanding of a range of theoretical and empirical approaches for understanding popular culture, media and society
  • Students will be familiar with, and will be able to apply, some key theoretical concepts for the study of popular culture, media and society.

Indicative assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Visiting Student Assessment
Coursework		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Visiting Student Assessment
Coursework		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Information currently unavailable

Indicative reading

Hesmondhalgh, D. (2007). The Cultural Industries (2nd Edition).

Strinati, D. (2004) An Introduction to Theories of Popular Culture (2nd ed.)

Storey, J. (2000). Cultural Theory, Popular Culture: An Introduction.

Storey, J. (1994). Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: A Reader.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.