Politics and Sociology

This programme combines two major social science subjects: politics and sociology, aiming to equip students with the tools - the concepts, theories, and concrete evidence - to understand changing social and political relations. Politics contributes a focus on conflict and cooperation with a focus on power and processes of collective decision-making. Sociology contributes to an understanding of the wider social context within which politics takes place - the shape of social relations, practices and major social institutions, like, family, economy, and state, incorporating explanations of social stability and change. Both share an interest in power, conflict, solidarity, equality, and social and political identities. Combining these two disciplines in this way equips our students to understand and engage with the challenges of contemporary social and political life.