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Division & Inequalities: Race & Ethnicity, Class & Religion - SOC00021I

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  • Department: Sociology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Emily Nicholls
  • 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

The module aims to further develop an understanding of sociological concepts, theories and debates of social divisions and inequalities concerning race and ethnicity, class and religion. It seeks to unravel the relationships between division and inequality. It will build on knowledge of appropriate social theory and extend and develop the students sociological imagination. It will help them develop critical thinking via the connections between theoretical and empirical work and show how social theory and sociology can inform and address the existence of inequalities.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module student will have:

  • developed an understanding of social divisions and inequalities relating to race and ethnicity, class and religion
  • developed an understanding of relationships between division and inequality
  • attained a knowledge of relevant social theory and an expanded sociological imagination
  • developed critical thinking regarding theoretical and empirical work
  • formed an awareness of how social theory and sociology informs and addresses inequalities

Academic and graduate skills: students will

  • have a greater knowledge and experience of critical thinking and analysis
  • have an experience of applying their knowledge in the judgement and evaluation of evidence
  • have greater experience of and confidence in their written and oral communication skills
  • have experience of and be able to recognise the value of group working

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

  • Back, L, and Solomos, J. (eds.) (2000) Theories of Race and Racism: A reader. Psychology Press.
  • Bourdieu, P. (1984) Distinction, Harvard University Press.
  • Bruce, S. (2002) God is Dead: secularization in the West, Blackwell, Oxford.
  • Dorling, D. (2011) Injustice: Why social inequality persists. Policy Press.
  • Garner, S (2010) Racisms, Open University Press.
  • Lawler, S. (2014) Identity (2nd Edition) Cambridge: Polity Press.
  • Payne G (2006) Social Divisions, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Skeggs, B (2003) Class, Self, Culture, Routledge.


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.