Sociology BA

The programme has been carefully designed to advance your skills and knowledge each year: from broad, introductory level modules in the first year to specialist options and a substantial piece of independent research in the final year.

Each year there is a balance between compulsory modules in the ‘core’ parts of the discipline (eg, theory and methods) and the chance for you to develop your own pathway with a range of specialist choices in and outside of Sociology.

In your first year you will be introduced to degree level sociology through Social Worlds and the Sociological Imagination, gain an understanding of stratification through Social Divisions, and learn the basics of research design and methods. In addition, you can select optional courses from a wide range of modules in or outside the department (for example, languages, politics, psychology, economics, social policy, history or African studies).

Core modules

• The Sociological Imagination
• Social Research I Part 1
• Social Research I Part 2
• Introduction to Social Divisions
• Sociology of Everyday Life
• Crime and Society
• Social Problems and Social Policy: Social Science in Action Part I
• Social Problems and Social Policy: Social Science in Action Part 2

The second year builds on these foundations by developing your understanding of Modern Sociological Theory. You will receive more advanced methods training in data analysis and preparation for your final year dissertation. In addition, you can choose from a range of optional modules in or outside the department.

Core modules

• Modern Sociological Theory
• Social Research II

You must choose one of the following modules:

• Gender and Sexuality
• 'Sociology of Race' and Ethnicity - A Global Perspective
• Poverty, Class and Inequality

Choose your remaining credits from the following:

• Self and Society
• Media and Society
• Global Societies
• Gender and Sexuality
• 'Sociology of Race' and Ethnicity - A Global Perspective
• Punishment in a Global Context
• Changing Behaviours: A History
• Comparative Social Policy
• Managing Health and Social Care
• Terror, Threat and Security
• Education, Policy and Social Justice
• Contemporary Issues in Housing Policy

The focus of the third year is your independent, supervised dissertation which brings together your research skills on a project defined by you. Your training in key sociological ideas is completed with a module on Contemporary Social Theory, and you can then specialise in the areas of the discipline that interest you most. Our teaching staff, who are active researchers, run options in their own specialist fields including the family, political sociology, celebrity culture, the sociology of technology, religion and society and ethnicity and migration.

If you want to take advantage of a unique opportunity to be supported with a work placement opportunity as part of your final year, this course includes the opportunity to undertake a 'Professional Development' module as part of your optional module choices.

Core modules

• Dissertation
• Contemporary Social Theory

Optional modules

Choose three from the following:

• Technology and Society
• 'Freedom', Control and Critique
• Sociology of Success and Fame
• Sociology of Film
• New Migration and Super Diversity
• Your Money and Your Life: From Welfare State to Personal Finance
• Harmful Societies: Crime, Social Harm and Social Justice
• Sociology of Personal Life
• Divided Publics?
• Crime and the City
• Sociology of Health and Illness
• Quantitave Analysis I
• Quantitave Analysis II
• Prospects for Social Policy in the UK
• Professional Development Module

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2020. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.