Sociology: Emerging Inequalities

Sociology: Emerging Inequalities examines how different forms of inequality develop in contemporary Western societies, particularly in relation to economic structures, labour markets and welfare state transformations. You will study how inequalities appear across social classes, genders, age groups, and geographical areas – including contrasts between rural and urban settings.

The course combines theory, current data, and case studies, helping you understand how social and economic processes shape unequal conditions. You will learn how patterns of inequality evolve at different levels of society (macro, meso, and micro), and how these processes can contribute to marginalisation and exclusion in everyday life. Among the topics covered is the “Swedish model”, exploring how changes in the Swedish welfare state relate to multiple forms of inequality. 

The Department of Sociology

The course is offered by the Department of Sociology in the picturesque Paradiset campus area in Lund. The building combines modern lecture halls, group rooms, and study spaces – just a short walk from the Social Sciences Library (Sambib) and the University Library (UB), several popular cafés and the city centre.

During the course you will develop:

• Advanced knowledge of sociological theories used to explain inequality
• Understanding of the social mechanisms that create and sustain unequal conditions
• Insight into epistemological, ethical and methodological issues related to studying inequality in different contexts
• Skills to apply sociological theory to real debates and empirical examples
• The ability to critically evaluate research and theoretical arguments
• Capacity to reflect on the strengths and limitations of sociological perspectives
• Awareness of when and how sociology can be combined with other disciplines in the study of inequality

Learning takes place through reading, discussion, analytical tasks, and independent study. You will work with both classic and contemporary debates on inequality and relate them to current societal transformations.

Teaching methods

Teaching is carried out through lectures and seminars, combining theoretical input with discussions and analysis of the course literature. Seminars are normally compulsory. The course is examined through an individual take‑home assignment. 

The course gives you analytical skills useful for further studies in sociology and related fields, as well as roles involving social research, policy work, public administration or NGOs. It also prepares you for work in organisations focused on inequality, social justice and welfare development. 

Prerequisites

Admission to the course requires 90 credits in a social sciences subject comprising sequential courses. English 6.

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: ECTS (HPAV): 100 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 16,875
First payment: SEK 16,875

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.