Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POC3111: Political Sociology

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Please note that this module is only delivered on the Penryn Campus.

Overview

NQF Level	6
Credits	15	ECTS Value	7.5
Term(s) and duration	This module ran during term 1 (11 weeks)
Academic staff	Dr Lamprini Rori (Convenor)
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
Available via distance learning	No

The module will introduce you to the study of politicization of social cleavages (divisions) such as class, race and ethnicity, gender, religion, and nationality; changing social values and attitudes, the impact of the media; political engagement and participation (such as turnout and protest politics). The course builds on some of the concepts, theories and knowledge introduced in Comparative Politics, and goes beyond notably to the study of representation, electorates, parties, civil society, who rules in a democracy, public policy and the politics of instability. The module is empirical, but includes some positive theory, i.e. theories that aim to explain why people behave as they do. The aim of each topic is to assess the evidence for competing explanations of particular features of social and political life. The module largely deals with contemporary societies and recent developments, but appreciation of historical developments is often useful to understand these. The module is also comparative, with the readings drawn from research on countries of Western Europe and North America.

No prior knowledge skills or experience are required to take this module and it is suitable for specialist and non-specialist students. The module is only suitable for students studying Politics.

Module created	02/02/2018	Last revised	23/03/2018