INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL DIVISIONS SO2015
Differences and Resistance Chris McMillan
Introductory concepts
Social differences: Characteristics that distinguish and separate some people from other people
Social Division: ‘…a principle of social organisation resulting in a society-wide distinction between two or more logically interrelated categories of people, which are socially sanctioned as substantially different from one another in material and cultural ways’ (Payne, 2006: 348).
What does that mean?!?
Social divisions are distinctions between socially constructed groupings
Whilst this distinction is socially constructed, but has some permanence
As a consequence of this distinction, a social division occurs when a grouping is disadvantaged in relation to other groupings
These divisions are often the basis for individual identities and are reproduced in social practices.
Which of these differences are social divisions?
Understanding Differences
What makes you different and what divides you from society?
What holds together your points of difference: What is the most important aspect of your identity?
Write down three defining characteristics on a post-it note and pass these notes around the room until you don’t know where they came from.
Understanding divisions
Who has an ended up with an identity just like their own?
Can we establish a normative position in the class room based on; Gender? Nationality? Ethnicity? Class?
From difference to division
Are there any differences that are not divisions?
Our Questions 1.
Why and how do some differences become social divisions?
2.
Why does society appear to be ordered and cohesive if it is defined by differences and divisions?
3.
What capacity exists for resistance and human agency?
4.
What are the most effective approaches for understanding differences, divisions and resistance?
5.
How do these dynamics operate in contemporary Britain?
Political considerations
Who has the power to determine which differences become divisions?
To what extent can we consider social differences, and social divisions, to be natural/biological?
Alternatively, if differences are social or selfdetermined, can they be changed?
How do social divisions change with time and across different regions?
Making Progress
This module covers many of the same topics as the ‘Introduction to Sociology’ modules
We build on the knowledge developed last year and take a different approach to the issues
Is it important that you build on your first year knowledge and use it in lectures and assessments
Moving forward: One-minute essay 
What was the most interesting thing you learnt in your first year as a sociology student?

How does it relate to this module?
Structure and Agency
Understanding social divisions requires a return to structure and agency
How do social structures create and manage social divisions?
What agency do individuals have to overcome these divisions?
Lectures
Wednesday 10-12 in LC066
There are no seminars
Lecture attendance is compulsory
Lectures will (?) be recorded on ‘Panopto’ and uploaded onto BBL
Ensure you have completed the readings beforehand
WEEK II: POVERTY, WELFARE AND UNEMPLOYMENT
WEEK III:ELITISM AND EQUALITY
WEEK IV: GENDER, SEXISM AND EQUALITY
WEEK V: RACISM AND ETHNICITY
WEEK VI: HEALTH, ILLNESS AND DISABILITY
WEEK VII: ASK WEEK
WEEK VIII:MIGRATION AND EXCLUSION
WEEK IX: THE POWER OF IDEOLOGY
WEEK X: RELIGION, COMMUNITY AND IDENTITY
WEEK XI: PROTEST AND RESISTANCE
WEEK XII: DIVIDING THE FUTURE
What do you think is the most influential division in Britain?
Contact Information
Room MJ.153
Ext. 67541
chris.mcmillan@brunel.ac.uk
Consultation and Feedback Hour: Tuesday 1-2pm
Assessments
This module is assessed by a single 3,000 word essay
However, I am happy to read your work and provide feedback at any stage during Weeks 1-10
Essay options and submission dates should be available soon
Readings • Reading is the basis of your learning • The majority of reading will be from Payne: It is essential that you buy this book
• Additional readings are also suggested and are available through BBL
What is the distinction between a social difference and a social division?
Very Important Information
This module examines the connections and distinctions between social differences and social divisions
We think about; Different kind of differences and how they become divisions How they change across time and in different places Different theoretical approaches for understanding these divisions The processes through which society and personal identities tend to remain stable despite these differences
Next Week
Read Chapters 2 and 12 of Payne (2006) – and Chapter 1, if you haven’t already
Contact me on chris.mcmillan@brunel.ac.uk if there are any issues.