Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is approved as a discovery module
In recent debates over identity politics in the West, class is not always recognised as a relevant marker of identity, or is seen in conflict with other markers such as race or gender. This module explores the concept of social class across diverse cultural contexts. Students will investigate both historical and contemporary perspectives on class, considering how it intersects with other social identities and how understandings of class vary across the world, thereby decentring Anglophone debates. The module is interdisciplinary, with a primary grounding in Cultural Studies. It examines different conceptions, representations, and empirical realities of how social class shapes identities and societies. After an introduction to core concepts, the module is organised around a series of global case studies that show how class operates differently across cultures and how these differences influence lived experiences. Through this work, students develop a nuanced understanding of class as a dynamic and culturally embedded phenomenon. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The module aims to introduce students to key theories and debates on social class in global contexts and to explore the cultural variations that shape how class systems are understood and represented across societies. Through a combination of lectures and seminars, students examine the intersections of class with race, gender, and economic inequality, and develop their critical thinking and comparative analytical skills by engaging with international case studies. Learning activities are also designed to encourage sustained reflection on the implications of class for identity and social mobility, helping students to connect theoretical perspectives with lived experiences in different cultural settings.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Apply relevant theories of social class and evaluate their applicability across different cultural contexts.
2. Analyse how social class is constructed, reproduced, and contested in different societies and cultures, in relation to how it intersects with other social identities and hierarchies.
3. Critically assess cross-cultural variations in class markers and the ways in which these reflect and shape social distinctions.
4. Collect, analyse, and synthetise information from a range of sources, including media reports, statistics, artistic and cultural practices.
5. Develop a well-structure argument that is based on evidence, complying with the principles of academic integrity
6. Recognise and express knowledge and understanding and how it relates to personal experience and to demonstrate learning and growth from the experience.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 12 | 1 | 12 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 178 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will receive formative feedback on regular short reflections on their understanding and learning progress at several points throughout the module. They will then build on the feedback and can review their reflections as part of the summative reflective log.
To support the design of the research project, students will receive feedback on a formative project proposal and will be able to discuss this with a tutor.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Research Project | 60 |
| Coursework | Reflective Log | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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