Accessibility statement

Contemporary Political Sociology - SOC00014I

« Back to module search

  • Department: Sociology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Tom O'Brien
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
    • See module specification for other years: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22
B Spring Term 2021-22

Module aims

This module provides an introduction to contemporary theories and debates about changing social relations of power and their influence upon citizenship, globalization, nation states, and democracy.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students will have acquired:

  • An understanding of the main theoretical approaches to contemporary political sociological inquiry examining the works of such social theorists as Michel Foucault, Zygmunt Bauman, Ulrich Beck, Pierre Bourdieu, Judith Butler, Manuel Castells, Noam Chomsky, Mike Davis, Anthony Giddens, David Harvey, Jurgen Habermass, David Held, Mary Kaldor, Saskia Sasssen, John Urry.
  • Knowledge of and an ability to undertake conceptual clarification of the principle theories under investigation such as power, state, civil society, development, migration, globalisation, citizenship, participation, identity, security, nationalism, ethnonationalism, gender, multiculturalism, social welfare, social exclusion.
  • A conceptual understanding of the social formation of the state and civil society;
  • A critical engagement with contemporary debates about globalisation, social movements, new media and democratic governance;
  • A critical understanding of postmodernization theories of a new cultural politics.
  • An appreciation of the role of media (new & old) communication as an increasing source of social power.

Indicative assessment

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

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

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

Module feedback

Written Feedback

Indicative reading

Parekh, Bhikhu (2008) A New Politics of Identity, Basingstoke:Palgrave

Burgess, Jean & Green, Joshua (2009) YouTube: online video and participatory culture,Cambrideg:Polity Press.

Castells, Manual (2012) Networks of Outrage and Hope, Cambridge: Polity

Della Porta, Donatella (ed) (2009) Social Movements in a Globalizing World, Basingstoke: Palgrave

Fraser, Nancy, (2008) Scales of Justice: reimagining political space in a globalizing world. Cambridge: Polity

Hirst, Paul., Thompson, Graeme & Bromley, Simon (3rd Edn) (2009) Globalization in Question, Cambridge: Polity

Hoffman, Beyond the State: an introductory critique, Cambridge: Polity Press.

Lukes, S. (2005) Power: a radical view (2nd edn) Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan

Lievrouw, Leah (2009) Alternative and Activist New Media, Cambridge: Polity

Lyon, David (2009) Identifying Citizens: ID cards as surveillance, Cambridge: Polity

Mann, Michael. The Sources of Social Power Volume 1.

Mattelart, Armanf (2009) The Globalization of Surveillance, Cambridge: Polity

Nash, Kate (2010) Contemporary Political Sociology: Globalization, Politics and Power, Wiley-Blackwell

Negrine, Ralph (2008) The Transformation of Political Communication, Basingstoke: Palgrave

Outhwaite, William (2008) European Society, Cambridge: Polity

Taylor, Graham (2010) The New Political Sociology, Basingstoke: Palgrave.


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.