BA (Hons)

Sociology

Teaching & Learning

Gain a critical understanding and appreciation of sociology. You will learn sociological theories and research, giving you the ability to apply sociological insights to help with social issues and problems. The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study; the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.

What you'll learn

Using an applied approach to sociological inquiries of and towards the city and urban contexts, you will develop your study skills, and focus in particular critical reading and thinking skills and both written and spoken communication skills.
Discover the study of social policy through an examination of its key influences, events, debates and developments. You'll focus on the development of the UK welfare state over time, exploring how this has been shaped by a range of social, political, economic and cultural influences.
Focus on sociological theories engaged with the emergence and development of capitalism and modernity.
You will gain an understanding of both epistemological and methodological aspects of research process. The first part of the module introduces you to fundamental epistemological questions for the social and socio-psychological sciences. In the second part of the module you will focus on discussing key methods and techniques used in social scientific research, such as ethnographic method, semiotic and discourse analyses, and causal analysis.
Gain an introduction to sociological perspectives on media and culture and their relationship to social, political and economic life. You will look at the importance of understanding media and culture and think critically about the relationship between media, culture and identities in contemporary society.
Explore contemporary sociological theory and debates around the contested concept of globalisation. You will explore the characteristics of contemporary globalisation, consider the implications and consequences for different groups, and reflect on the tension between the global and the local (or the relationship between global social systems and localised everyday life).
Using an applied approach to sociological inquiries of and towards the city and urban contexts, you will develop your study skills, and focus in particular critical reading and thinking skills and both written and spoken communication skills.
Discover the study of social policy through an examination of its key influences, events, debates and developments. You'll focus on the development of the UK welfare state over time, exploring how this has been shaped by a range of social, political, economic and cultural influences.
Focus on sociological theories engaged with the emergence and development of capitalism and modernity.
You will gain an understanding of both epistemological and methodological aspects of research process. The first part of the module introduces you to fundamental epistemological questions for the social and socio-psychological sciences. In the second part of the module you will focus on discussing key methods and techniques used in social scientific research, such as ethnographic method, semiotic and discourse analyses, and causal analysis.
Gain an introduction to sociological perspectives on media and culture and their relationship to social, political and economic life. You will look at the importance of understanding media and culture and think critically about the relationship between media, culture and identities in contemporary society.
Explore contemporary sociological theory and debates around the contested concept of globalisation. You will explore the characteristics of contemporary globalisation, consider the implications and consequences for different groups, and reflect on the tension between the global and the local (or the relationship between global social systems and localised everyday life).

What you'll learn

Study classical and contemporary social theory. You will focus on some important classical modern theorists such as Marx and Weber and then show how these theories have been developed by social theorists in the 20th and 21st century.
Explore sociological perspectives on the role of political and economic power in the creation of social class divisions. You will examine the role of culture, education and the state in maintaining and entrenching class divisions.
Investigate major topics and areas of debate in the sociology of gender. This will be achieved by considering feminist theories and theories of gender as well as by looking at key issues and debates around gender and work such as gender at work and family and work.
Gain a deeper insight into and training in a variety of social research methods. You will first consider the impact of values, politics and ethics on sociological research before moving on to examine a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods through in-depth examinations of specific pieces of sociological research.
Study classical and contemporary social theory. You will focus on some important classical modern theorists such as Marx and Weber and then show how these theories have been developed by social theorists in the 20th and 21st century.
Explore sociological perspectives on the role of political and economic power in the creation of social class divisions. You will examine the role of culture, education and the state in maintaining and entrenching class divisions.
Investigate major topics and areas of debate in the sociology of gender. This will be achieved by considering feminist theories and theories of gender as well as by looking at key issues and debates around gender and work such as gender at work and family and work.
Gain a deeper insight into and training in a variety of social research methods. You will first consider the impact of values, politics and ethics on sociological research before moving on to examine a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods through in-depth examinations of specific pieces of sociological research.

Option modules may include

Conceptually or literally, you will take sociology out of the university and into the public sphere, encouraging you to engage in dialogue and collaboration with various publics so as to influence decision-making, social change and social justice.
Study both classical and contemporary theories of social movements, political protests, and episodes of collective action. You will explore and analyse empirical events using a range of theories, including but not limited to collective behaviour, resource mobilisation, political process and new social movement theories.
Explore and critically engage with the impact of digital technologies on social life, identity, politics and other areas of contemporary life. You will develop an understanding of, and assess, contemporary theories and studies which have sought to explain changes brought about by the increasing integration of the digital with everyday life.
Gain knowledge and an understanding of contemporary approaches to family, intimacies and domestic practices. You will learn to analyse the significance of sexuality to modern society through an exploration of various sites of struggle over sexual behaviour. You will also be able to understand family and sexuality as a social construct, to understand feminist theories and perspectives on family and sexuality, and to analyse it using sociological perspectives.
Conceptually or literally, you will take sociology out of the university and into the public sphere, encouraging you to engage in dialogue and collaboration with various publics so as to influence decision-making, social change and social justice.
Study both classical and contemporary theories of social movements, political protests, and episodes of collective action. You will explore and analyse empirical events using a range of theories, including but not limited to collective behaviour, resource mobilisation, political process and new social movement theories.
Explore and critically engage with the impact of digital technologies on social life, identity, politics and other areas of contemporary life. You will develop an understanding of, and assess, contemporary theories and studies which have sought to explain changes brought about by the increasing integration of the digital with everyday life.
Gain knowledge and an understanding of contemporary approaches to family, intimacies and domestic practices. You will learn to analyse the significance of sexuality to modern society through an exploration of various sites of struggle over sexual behaviour. You will also be able to understand family and sexuality as a social construct, to understand feminist theories and perspectives on family and sexuality, and to analyse it using sociological perspectives.

What you'll learn

Conduct an independent piece of research, 10,000 words in length, in which you demonstrate the ability to search and evaluate relevant academic literature and data, to apply the necessary and appropriate research skills for the production of a scholarly empirical or conceptual piece of work.
You will be encouraged to critically interrogate current social theory regarding the key features and characteristics of contemporary societies and their meaning and consequences. You will examine whether key social theories and models adequately describe contemporary societies or enhance our understanding of ongoing processes of social change.
Explore the development of the British welfare state and examine it in terms of the divisions between public and private provision and the conflicting moral judgements that are applied. The ways in which these State interventions build upon and entrench class divisions are studied.
Conduct an independent piece of research, 10,000 words in length, in which you demonstrate the ability to search and evaluate relevant academic literature and data, to apply the necessary and appropriate research skills for the production of a scholarly empirical or conceptual piece of work.
You will be encouraged to critically interrogate current social theory regarding the key features and characteristics of contemporary societies and their meaning and consequences. You will examine whether key social theories and models adequately describe contemporary societies or enhance our understanding of ongoing processes of social change.
Explore the development of the British welfare state and examine it in terms of the divisions between public and private provision and the conflicting moral judgements that are applied. The ways in which these State interventions build upon and entrench class divisions are studied.

Option modules may include

You will integrate and deepen your sociological knowledge at a conceptual level by exploring key philosophical, theoretical and ethical issues at stake in the field to enable critical thinking.
Critically explore the intersection between science, technology, human bodies and health in contemporary societies. You will assess the ways in which methods of technical assessment have shaped how bodies and health are understood.
Explore how our identities, so often presented as a natural and eternal condition, are constructed for us by powerful forces of reproduction and representation, ones that blur the lines between fabricated and real, object and subject, outside and inside, in a process which at once helps to maintain social hierarchy and is largely beyond individual control.
Develop your knowledge of a range of different theoretical approaches to understanding masculinities. You will be introduced to a range of different ways of understanding masculinities and will develop your abilities in relating these theoretical approaches to a range of empirical topics.
Develop your understanding of the nature of work and organisations in the contemporary global economy. You will build the critical skills needed to understand key theoretical debates regarding new organisational and work-management techniques, new and emerging forms of labour and employment, and the complex and changing relationship between production, consumption and identity in an increasingly globalised economy.
Engage with the practice of either sociology or social psychology in a 'real world' setting and gain practical experience of a professional work area related to your study.
You will integrate and deepen your sociological knowledge at a conceptual level by exploring key philosophical, theoretical and ethical issues at stake in the field to enable critical thinking.
Critically explore the intersection between science, technology, human bodies and health in contemporary societies. You will assess the ways in which methods of technical assessment have shaped how bodies and health are understood.
Explore how our identities, so often presented as a natural and eternal condition, are constructed for us by powerful forces of reproduction and representation, ones that blur the lines between fabricated and real, object and subject, outside and inside, in a process which at once helps to maintain social hierarchy and is largely beyond individual control.
Develop your knowledge of a range of different theoretical approaches to understanding masculinities. You will be introduced to a range of different ways of understanding masculinities and will develop your abilities in relating these theoretical approaches to a range of empirical topics.
Develop your understanding of the nature of work and organisations in the contemporary global economy. You will build the critical skills needed to understand key theoretical debates regarding new organisational and work-management techniques, new and emerging forms of labour and employment, and the complex and changing relationship between production, consumption and identity in an increasingly globalised economy.
Engage with the practice of either sociology or social psychology in a 'real world' setting and gain practical experience of a professional work area related to your study.