The Culture and Identity module is one of the more contemporary options to study in sociology, given that is covers a broader. variety of social groups and reflects the ever-changing nature of what defines our culture and what defines our identity. It takes a more personal look at how individuals in society perceive themselves in a post-structural society – one where social location is less important than it used to be. Their are five specification points to consider in this optional module that interconnect (as often occurs in sociology study) and draw up a wide range of theoretical perspectives and have many synoptic links to other modules.
So what do I need to know?
The different conceptions of culture, including subculture, mass culture, folk culture, high and low culture, popular culture and global culture
What this means:
You need to be able to explain what is meant by different types of culture:
Overview of Different Types of Cultures
Mass Culture
Folk Culture
High Culture
Low Culture
Popular Culture
Global Culture
You also need to know how the different sociological approaches view the formation of culture and how they are formed. You should also be able to analyse and evaluate these approaches.
Functionalism and Culture
Marxism and Culture
Feminism and Culture
Interactionism and Culture
Postmodernity and Culture
The socialisation process and the role of the agencies of socialisation
The self, identity and difference as both socially caused and socially constructed
The relationship of identity to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, nationality, sexuality and social class in contemporary society
The relationship of identity to production, consumption and globalisation.
