MSc Sociological Research / Course details

This unit draws on a range of sociological perspectives to explore different scales, modes and agents at work both in purposeful transformations towards more sustainable societies and in the context of global environmental change.  The course introduces students to a variety of social scientific perspectives on social change across different scales: from household and individual behaviour change; to socio-technical transitions; to political economy approaches to socio-economic change.  

The course unit provides students with the knowledge and theoretical tools to understand and analyse processes of social change operating across multiple scales and the complex interactions between them, as well as engaging with perspectives, such as actor network and practice theory, that think beyond conventional understandings of scale.  The unit further explores the role of different types of social actors operating at multiple scales, such as social movements, ‘the environmental state’, international voluntary environmental certification schemes and intergovernmental organisations, as well as different theoretical approaches to human agency.  

Understanding social change also involves engaging with the different ways in which temporalities, or modes, of change, are imagined, mobilised, assessed and contested. The course unit explores how we understand social change through different modes, including: innovation, reform and revolution; and crisis and catastrophe. The course also introduces practical methods to engage stakeholders in techniques to imagine social change and sustainable futures, or ‘futuring for sustainability’ methods, such as scenario development and back-casting. 
 

The unit aims to: 

Introduce students to key social scientific perspectives on social change across different scales: from household and individual behaviour change; to socio-technical transitions; to political economy approaches to socio-economic change. 

Provides students with the knowledge and theoretical tools to understand and analyse processes of social change operating across multiple scales, and the role of different types of social actors in processes of social change. 

Explore sociological perspectives on the different scales, modes and agents at work both in purposeful transformations towards more sustainable societies and in the context of global environmental change. 

Equip students with the knowledge and theoretical tools to critically engage with key debates concerning the dynamic relations between social change and the environmental and climate crisis. 

Provide an inclusive learning environment and encourage respect for a diverse range of perspectives. 
 

Explain processes of social change and key theoretical perspectives on social 
change

Identify and describe the dynamic relations between environment and society

Apply sociological understandings of social change to key policy areas in transitions towards 
sustainability and critically evaluate existing policies and initiatives

Critically engage with social scientific literature

Critically assess research on societal transitions towards 
sustainability

Find, use and interpret digital sources of information

Communicate social scientific understandings to a range of non-academic audiences

Develop the skills to contribute to policies, initiatives and projects addressing social change for sustainability at a variety of scales and in a range of organisations

Collaborate in developing and presenting arguments and ideas relating to processes of social change 
 

Presentation (10 minutes) and ‘practice-and-policy’ note (1500 words). Students will be closely supported in fulfilling the assessment formats.