SS5066 - Self and Society (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Self and Society | ||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module introduces you to key sociological approaches used to explore and explain the concept of ‘self’. Through an examination of the works of influential 20th-century sociologists, as Mead and Goffman on the social construction and presentation of self, and Marx and Parsons on the structural constraints shaping identity, you will gain a deep understanding of how sociological theory illuminates the relationship between individual agency and societal forces.
The module will also consider contemporary debates about the ‘project’ of self and identity, asking how much freedom individuals have in crafting their identities. These discussions will be grounded in real-world situations, encouraging you to reflect on the social and cultural factors influencing the ways we ‘become’ who we are.
By the end of the module, you will develop a critical perspective on the tensions between agency and structure. You will understand the major sociological theories on the construction and constraints of the self. You will critically evaluate the relevance of classical sociological theories for understanding contemporary debates about identity. You will apply sociological concepts to current social phenomena related to the formation of self and identity.
Prior learning requirements
None. Available for Study Abroad? YES
Syllabus
Agency vs. Structure – Micro/Macro debate
• Origins of the Debate
• From American pragmatism to G. H. Mead
• Symbolic Interactionism
• Erving Goffman and Dramaturgy
• Structural Functionalism: Parsons and Merton
• Conflict Theory
• Identity: Acquired or Ascribed
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Teaching will comprise weekly lectures followed by exercises and reflexive discussion in seminars. Teaching will be informed by research and scholarly activities of the tutors.
Learning: Learning will be supported by the Weblearn site for the module which will include all the teaching materials and guidance for assessment.
The students will be encouraged to engage with contemporary issues and follow the current debates in the media. This will be supported by Weblearn-based materials and forums.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Distinguish and evaluate a number of sociological traditions in terms of the different conceptions of the relationship between social structure and the individual.
2. Identify and critically apply the key sociological concepts used to explain the relationship between the individual and society.
3. Debate the strengths and weaknesses of the various sociological conceptions of the ‘self’.