Sociology

Curious about the ways society shapes the world around us? Keen to explore how people, places, and communities connect across local, national, and global contexts? Step into our BA (Hons) Sociology degree and immerse yourself in the study of social life, theory, and practice.
This course blends classic sociological traditions with practical applications of social theory in the communities and environments you experience every day. With a clear focus on people and place, it gives you the freedom to pursue your own interests and shape the course around what matters most to you.
In your third year, you will develop applied research skills through a specialist module led by an expert researcher and a dissertation that allows you to conduct your own investigation. Optional volunteering with local organisations offers the chance to explore applied research in real-world settings, linking your academic learning to practical problems and enhancing your employability.
The degree is built around the University of Cumbria’s signature pedagogy of place-based learning. It integrates core principles of teaching, assessment, and reflective practice. You will engage with authentic assessment, digital learning tools, and activities designed to consolidate your understanding of sociology, professionalism, and what it means to be a global citizen. Small class sizes and supportive tutors ensure you have the guidance needed to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and a portfolio of evidence to translate your learning into future opportunities.

Module Examples

• Theorising Social Life

• Exploring Space, Place and Material Place Media, Culture and Persuasion

• Poverty, Policy and Place

• Understanding Social Research

• Power and Social Justice

https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-sociology/

The diverse mix of assessment will include: 
Year 1

• Academic Skills Portfolio

• Group Podcast

• Group Presentation

• Report

• Video Essay

• Portfolio

• Written Assignment 
  Year 2

• Case Study

• Written Assignment

• Group Presentation

• Autoethnographic Research

• Interview or blog

• Reflective Essay

• Individual Presentation

• Action Research
  Year 3

• Dissertation

• Written Assignment

• Role Play

• Presentation

• Group Debate

• Reflective Essay

• Short Video 
  Assessment varies between work produced by you individually, and work which requires you to present as a group. In the case of groupwork, marks are given to the entire group. To support this, key skills for good teamwork and best practice for making the most of group working are provided in SOCI4001 “Theorising Social Life”. This includes strategies for ensuring equity in group participation, which you will be expected to demonstrate within your groupwork. This is especially important, as reassessment will apply to the group as a whole (unless of exceptional cases e.g. individual absence, in which case a separate assessment will be undertaken). 
  Formative and summative assessment is used throughout the programme.
  Formative assessment helps you to identify your areas of development in line with assessment for learning providing feedback from tutors and peers to help you develop and enhance your skills. 
  Summative Assessment is designed in line with assessment for learning principles to allow you to engage deeply with the discipline of sociology and is used to evaluate your learning in line with module learning outcomes.