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SP32077: The sociology of experts and evidence

[Page last updated: 23 May 2025]

Academic Year: 2025/26
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWES 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Essay (CWES 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, students will be able to: 1) Critically evaluate the role of the expert and evidence in late modern societies. 2) Drawing upon sociological theory, examine and explain the contemporary problem of trust in experts and evidence. 3) Range across examples, case studies, and empirics to illustrate the meaning and operation of expertise. 4) Assess the impact - short-term and long-term - of the changing role of experts and evidence on social institutions, politics, and policy.


Synopsis: "Explore the recent decline in trust in experts and official sources of evidence. You will engage with key sociological debates about the function of trust, the bases of knowledge and authority, and the role of the expert in late modern societies. You will also look at the various challenges to expertise and evidence, including populism, `alternative sources of knowledge, and the rise of the lay-expert."

Content: The early twenty-first century is characterised by a sharp decline in trust in experts and official sources of evidence. This unit examines and theorises this important social development, sets it in historical perspective, and engages with key sociological debates about the function of trust, the bases of knowledge and authority, and the role of the expert in late modern societies. We look, too, at the various challenges to expertise and evidence - including populism, 'alternative' sources of knowledge, and the rise of the lay-expert. Particular attention is given to criminal justice and health as two sites where experts and evidence are especially important - and now particularly subject to contestation.

Course availability:

SP32077 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Psychology Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB34 : BSc(Hons) Applied Social Studies (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Criminology (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB22 : BSc(Hons) Criminology with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AFB31 : BSc(Hons) International Development with Economics (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB21 : BSc(Hons) International Development with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AFB32 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AFB37 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AFB35 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AFB36 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2025/26 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2026/27 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2025/26.
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