Sociology and English

BA (Hons) Sociology and English
How do equality, opportunity, and social structures shape life today? Explore the human experience through a sociological and literature-based lens to explore questions about who we are, why we are here, and the nature of the world in which we find ourselves.

Why choose this course?

By examining the past, present and future you’ll see how social and linguistic structures affect interactions of those currently living in society. You’ll learn about social justice, distribution of power, globalisation, self-expression in the modern world and politics of the household. The English programme’s distinctive core of engagement with critical and cultural theory will simultaneously enable you to develop a highly nuanced and sophisticated approach to the analysis of literature, language and culture.

How you will learn

You’ll be assessed through a variety of methods including coursework, oral presentations, seminar participation, on-line learning tasks, extended projects and work-based assignments. Modules often include a formative non-assessed task that will act as preparation for the main assessments. These include essay plans, online tests, bibliographies and participation in class debates.

Opportunities and experiences

You will be taught by experienced researchers whose work is shedding new light on some of the most pressing issues facing our society as well as on a range of cultural topics. They regularly publish articles and books and deliver conference papers internationally.

English academics have specialised knowledge in fields such as Romanticism, blasphemy and censorship, nineteenth-century literature, post-colonial theatre, critical theory and postmodernism. The Sociology team are recognised for their expertise in research areas such as social policy, childhood and war, extremism and counter terrorism, conspiracy theory, humour and society, politics and social movements, Marxism and social theory.

Careers and employability

This course provides graduates with a diverse range of skills and knowledge to lead onto a variety of careers. Many Sociology graduates are attracted to careers that centre on the challenges and demands that members of a society face. This leads to jobs in social services, education, criminal justice, welfare services, national and local government, counselling, charities, and the voluntary sector. They include charity fundraiser, community development worker, counsellor, lecturer, housing officer, teacher, police officer, probation officer, researcher, social worker, and welfare rights adviser.

Our English provision opens up a range of career options. English at Derby involves innovative assessment practices which include assessed seminar participation, presentations, research projects relating to the creative industries and conference papers, as well as essays and dissertations. We aim to produce confident and articulate graduates who are well-prepared for the world of professional employment. Our forms of assessment will enable you to develop high-level transferable skills in the context of an academically satisfying course. Our English graduates have gone into fields such as teaching, publishing, journalism, librarianship, marketing, human resource management, law, and arts administration.