Rationale
This module will introduce the major aspects of social change that have led to and developed within modern societies. There will be a particular focus upon identifying and explaining some of the major social changes over the past 30-40 years using official statistics and social theory. The emphasis will be upon structural changes. The module will focus upon Britain and Europe, but will give room for students to explore social change in rapidly changing middle income countries as well. An account of social change is a key feature of most classical sociology that is often neglected except at the level of often abstract social theory. The module also allows students to engage with empirical data that describe social changes in a range of areas. This module will provide the knowledge and background needed for modules at level 5 that require some familiarity with social history and social change.