Social Policy and Sociology

Year 1 encourages you to think sociologically, discovering key concepts and debates within the subject and using them to question standard explanations of social issues. Core modules will introduce you to the methods and techniques of social research, and you’ll examine the processes which led to the formation and emergence of modern societies. In addition, you’ll learn about the development of social policy over time, with a focus on the British context.

This provides the foundation for the following year, when you’ll explore the important thinkers and traditions in the history of sociology, examining social integration, power, social change, the individual, society and forms of culture, belief and consciousness. You’ll also develop your understanding of methods and techniques in social research.

From there you’ll start to gain specialist knowledge in your chosen areas through a selection of optional modules, relating to key social issues like drugs or disability studies, or comparing public policy around the world. You could also look at key sociological topics like racism and ethnicity studies or the sociology of health.

In your final year, you’ll complete your dissertation. This independent project gives you the chance to apply your knowledge and skills to research a sociological or social policy topic of your choice in depth. Around this you’ll choose further optional modules, examining issues such as interpersonal violence, class divisions, gender studies, sex work or protest movements.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Understanding and Researching the City 20 credits
• Understanding and Researching Contemporary Society 20 credits
• Sociology of Modern Societies 20 credits
• Formations of Modernity 20 credits
• Social Policy: Poor Laws to the Present 20 credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Sociology and Social Policy Research Methods 20 credits
• Key Debates in Social Policy 20 credits
• Central Problems in Sociology 20 credits

Optional modules

• Crime, Law and Regulation 20 credits
• Disability Studies: An Introduction 20 credits
• The Sociology of Gender 20 credits
• Crime, Race and Ethnicity 20 credits
• Debates in Childhood and Youth 20 credits
• The Sociology of Culture 20 credits
• Sociology of Work 20 credits
• Racism, ethnicity, migration and decolonial studies 20 credits
• Urban Disorders, Social Divisions and Social Control 20 credits
• Social and Public Policy beyond the University 20 credits

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Dissertation 40 credits

Optional modules

• Postcolonialism and Critical Muslim Studies 20 credits
• Disability Rights and the International Policy Context 20 credits
• Education, Culture and Society 20 credits