Thesis and Research Data Repository Leeds Beckett University
Not a member yet
631 research outputs found
Sort by
Travelling Through Airports
No full textThe paper outlines the hypothesis that the homogenisation of airports around the world can arguably be seen as a result of globalisation. Globalisation, ‘the growing interdependence between different peoples, regions, and countries in the world’ (Giddens, 2009) or ‘increased global connectedness’ (Held, 2004) is a fundamental element of contemporary society. In addition, advancements in information and communications technology, including the wide availability of long-haul travel has enabled transnational corporations to ‘stretch across national borders, influencing global production processes and the international distribution of labour’ (Giddens, 2009, p126).</p
Rethinking Consumption in Late Modernity: Throwaway Society vs Eco-Village
No full textFor these people, in one of the many eco-villages springing up around the world, ‘consumerism’ no longer has the meaning it has for many others on our weary planet. For the most part they consume what they grow and make themselves, trade resources instead of money and some use waste as an energy source. For others, living the conventional western capitalist life, the bumper sticker ‘I owe, I owe, I owe, it’s off to work I go’ isn’t funny. The paper explores how an eco-village could be utilised by mainstream society as a small example of what larger society could model itself upon.</p
ICTs, 'Confluent Love' and Global Intimacies
No full textIn an ever changing world, globalisation and developments in Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be seen as having a profound impact on many aspects of contemporary society (Held, 1999 & 2000 and Castells, 2000). Arguably, one of the most important changes witnessed in today’s world are those involving our personal relationships and the nature of intimacy (Giddens, 2002). The influence of globalisation and ICT’s in creating opportunities for new and changing ideas of intimacy and relationships will be critically explored herein, in particular reference to the growth of sex tourism and the obtainability of internet brides.</p
Shampoo, 'Risk Society' and Social Change
No full textThrough taking the example a seemingly ordinary bottle of ‘shampoo’, changes within the composition of contempary society can be viewed through the lens of sociological analysis, to reflect upon how such an ‘everyday’ consumer product impacts upon how we view ourselves, how wider society is constructed and allows us to question the extent to which ‘consumer choice’ can equate to ‘social change’ within ‘reflexive modernity’.</p
Editorial
No full textThe following pieces of writing by current students have emerged from a third year module within the sociology degree provision – Contemporary Society and Social Futures. As a collection they have been so innovative, critical and engaging that we thought that they should have a wider readership than just the module tutors. So we’ve put them together into this publication which celebrates the critical observations that our students have been making! Still, whilst many papers were interesting and stimulating, we could only select some of work produced. So in what follows, we present 14 ‘Critical Reflections’ from the module. Students were asked to apply key theories and concepts covered on the module in order to develop a critical commentary on the nature of contemporary society, or particular aspects of it. The work was produced in the first semester of the 2012-13 academic year.</p
Tracking the Trackers
No full textThe author examines the use of cookies to monitor and track how individuals use websites. The paper explores the deceptive nature of websites which do not ask for agreement to terms and condition regarding their cookie policy, and how by simply using a website, individuals are agreeing to be put under surveillance from external companies technology.</p
Online Dating
No full textThis critical reflection considers the impact of technology has enabled the provision of online dating in the context of the rise of the ‘network society’ (Castells, 2000).</p
A Sociology of Sneaker Freakers
No full textWhile most people only buy shoes to wear, even if only once, there is a growing group of people who devote themselves to procuring the latest and rarest trainers only to leave them stacked in their boxes among the many others they already have. Although this may seem a little odd to the uninitiated, this practice and the culture that has grown alongside it is starting to spill over from subculture to regular high street fashion. Within this culture we can find examples of many of the sociological factors that define today’s society and also the development that these are going through.</p
A Global Crisis
No full textThis critical refection will examine the causes and consequences of the current global financial crisis, considering particularly the theories and models of neoliberalism, globalisation, the information society and the risk society. It will propose that whilst the causes of the financial crisis were systemic, for individuals, the consequences were taken on as personal failure.</p
Making Sense of Lived Experience in a Network Society
No full textThis paper focuses on Manuel Castells’ (2006) idea of a network society that emerged alongside increasingly complex and interconnected marketspace, and its potentially transformative effect on the future development of global community. Castells’ ideas will be put it in historical context and possible psychological undercurrents of the main characteristics of networking phenomenon will be traced back to the 19th century.</p