Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Contemporary Social Theory
School	School of Social Policy
Department	Soc Policy, Sociology & Crimin
Module Code	08 30182
Module Lead	Dr Will Leggett / Dr Ross Abbinnett
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-20 hours Guided independent study-160 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module approaches contemporary social theory through different characterisations of late modernity and postmodernity, and examining what is at stake in this distinction. Each of these approaches will be explored through a mixture of key contemporary theorists, concepts and themes. With regard to late modernity these include Ulrich Beck, Manuel Castells and Anthony Giddens, and ideas such as reflexive modernisation, risk, individualisation and the network society. From the postmodern perspective, these include thinkers such as Lyotard, Baudrillard and Derrida, and debates including the alleged ‘implosion’ of the idea of the social, and the contested status of the human body and agent in the face of radical new technologies. A reflexive and critical approach will be taken to both the ‘late’ and ‘post’ modern paradigms, with consideration given to their political implications and emerging theoretical alternatives.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: identify and examine in critical depth key issues in contemporary social theory, including some cutting edge debates.
Assessment	30182-05 : Essay 1 : Coursework (50%) 30182-07 : Essay 2 : Coursework (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	1500 Word Essay (50%), 1500 Word Essay (50%) Reassessment by failed component
Other
Reading List