Sociology and Criminology

Alternative Societies (Spr)

Module code: L4090B
Level 6
30 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Seminar, Lecture
Assessment modes: Coursework

Socologists have often analysed and criticised the world. The aim of this module is to look at alternative societies that their assessments and criticisms imply. We will look at alternative societies such as communist and other kinds of non-capitalist and non-market societies; libertarian and decentralised societies; and communes and alternative types of living. The module will cover areas such as alternative education, alternative economies and co-ops, participatory types of political organisation, non-patriarchal society, non-racist society, alternative societies for developing countries, green and sustainable societies, societies without work, society without borders, media, technology and alternative societies, and the politics of transition to alternatives. We will look at the role of sociology as critical, utopian and normative.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of a variety of sociological and other perspectives for understanding types of alternative societies
• Demonstrate an awareness of alternative societies as a form and implication of sociological analysis
• Assimilate and evaluate evidence from studies of alternative societies which is relevant to theories of alternative societies
• Critically explore debates about types of alternative society
• Make approriate use of empirical data and theoretical work to produce coherent and detailed written work for an academic audience