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SOCS2200.3: Late Modernity, the Risk Society, and Reflexivity

Critically reflect on what ‘modernity’ and ‘progress’ really mean through the work of Ulrich Beck and Anthony Giddens.

305 enrolled on this course

City skyline in the fog
  • Duration

    5 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours

Explore what some thinkers describe as ‘late modernity’ or the ‘risk society’.

This is the third of four courses that make up SOCS2200: Social Analysis: Key Perspectives in the Social Sciences. The program covers theory and contemporary research on: class, culture and inequality; institutions and social control; concepts of identity including classed and gendered identities; the nature of embodied experience; globalisation and social change; and the relationship between science and society.

What topics will you cover?

Please see the SOCS2200: Social Analysis: Key Perspectives in the Social Sciences course handbook for more detail.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

Who is the course for?

This is a core component of the Bachelor of Social Science. The course will also be of interest to anyone looking to expand their knowledge of sociology and social theory.

Who developed the course?

The University of Newcastle Australia

The University of Newcastle is a world-class university distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Ranked in Australia’s Top 10 universities, and 173rd in the world (QS rankings, 2024).

  • Established

    1965
  • Location

    Newcastle, Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 180Source: QS World University Rankings 2024

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

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Join the conversation on social media

You can use the hashtag #UniNewcastle to talk about this course on social media.