Sociology
Explore the social processes that shape people’s lives around the world.
About the programme
UCAS Code: BA Combined Honours (Y001)
The scope of sociology is wide and challenging. Your study might include looking at:
- the relationship between individual and society
- how societies are socially divided
- as well as what holds them together
You will bring a critical approach to evidence and argument – using a ‘sociological imagination’.
This means you will learn to look beyond the taken-for-granted accounts of daily practices and society, and to develop the skills to evaluate research.
By studying sociology you'll analyse, explain and interpret.
You'll also develop excellent verbal and written communication skills, which will be invaluable after your graduation and future career.
Taught within the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, relations between our staff and students are relaxed and informal.
We have more than a dozen full-time lecturing staff, with expertise in:
- sociology
- anthropology
- economics
- political science
Our staff are all research-active, which invigorates our teaching. The quality of our teaching has been recognised as ‘excellent’ in the most recent national teaching quality assessment exercise.
We're committed to maintaining this high standard with ongoing reviews and evaluations.
You may also be interested in finding out about the activities of the Sociology Society
Modules
Modules in sociology draw on current research and address many pressing social concerns, such as:
- homelessness
- work and unemployment
- environmental issues
- racism
- crime, violence and abuse
- gender, health, ageing and sexuality
Find out about our typical modules. Modules are subject to change and could differ on an annual basis.
Stage 1
Students study either 40 or 60 credits from the list below. It is recommended that all students select SOC1030, or, if you are unable to select SOC1030, then SOC1027 is the recommended module.
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOC1027 | Comparing Cultures: An Introduction to Anthropology (Recommended module if unable to take SOC1030) | 20 | 1 |
| SOC1030 | The Sociological Imagination: An Introduction to the Discipline (Recommended module) | 20 | 1 |
| SOC1031 | Knowing in Sociology: An Introduction to Theory, Methods and Epistemology | 20 | 2 |
| SOC1032 | Politics and Society | 20 | 2 |
| SOC1033 | Understanding Everyday Life |
20 | 2 |
| SOC1034 | Investigating Inequalities and Crime | 20 | 1 |
Stage 2
Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 2.
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOC2027 | Being Human: debates, questions and conversations in anthropology | 20 | 2 |
| SOC2029 | Climate and Society | 20 | 2 |
| SOC2044 | Sociology of Crime: Social Control in Neoliberal Societies | 20 | 1 |
| SOC2058 | Theorising Social Worlds | 20 | 1 |
| SOC2069 | Researching Social Life | 20 | 1 |
| SOC2070 |
This is How We Do It: Sociology Research Design and Proposal (Co-requisite SOC2069) (Note: this is the pre-requisite for SOC3097 dissertation) |
20 | 2 |
| SOC2181 |
Exploring city life: urban studies in action |
20 | 1 |
| SOC2085 | Refugees and Displacement: Borders, Camps, and Asylum | 20 | 2 |
Stage 3
Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 3.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOC3027* | Being Human: debates, questions and conversations in anthropology | 20 | 2 |
| SOC3045 | Regulating Sexuality | 20 | 1 |
| SOC3047 | Critical Approaches to Policing and Security | 20 | 2 |
| SOC3049 | States of Mind: Sociology and Mental Health (No formal pre-requisite, but if you have not studied SOC2056: Sociology of Health and Illness, you will need to undertake some additional reading to familiarise yourself with this sub-discipline of Sociology). | 20 | 2 |
| SOC3077 | Who Counts as a Person and Why Does It Matter? Questioning Personhood with Anthropology | 20 | 2 |
| SOC3081** | Exploring city life: urban studies in action | 20 | 1 |
| SOC3081 | Exploring city life: an introduction to contemporary urban anthropology and sociology | 20 | 1 |
| SOC3090 | Investigating the Body | 20 | 1 |
| SOC3094 | Class in Everyday Life | 20 | 1 |
| SOC3097 | Dissertation in Sociology (Pre-requisite SOC2070) | 40 | 1&2 |
*Students cannot take SOC3027 if they took SOC2027 in Stage 2
**Students cannot take SOC3081 if they took SOC2181 in Stage 2
Get in touch
If you have any questions about choosing this subject as part of your Combined Honours degree, contact us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Subject adviser
Dr Jacqui Close - School of Geography, Politics and Sociology