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.

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