Social Sciences (Sociology) (R23-SOC)

This is one of several specialist routes available in our BA (Honours) Social Sciences. Alongside studying the interdisciplinary social sciences, you’ll have the opportunity to explore how sociologists make sense of social worlds, investigating topical issues such as immigration, social networking, precarious work, and urban cultures. On completion of your degree, you’ll be able to apply social theories and analytical techniques to a variety of topics that affect individuals and society. You’ll also acquire transferable skills highly valued by employers, opening employment opportunities in private, public and voluntary sector organisations.

Key features of the course

• Specialise in sociology within a broad interdisciplinary social science degree.

• Learn how to apply cutting-edge sociological ideas to a broad range of real world situations.

• Enhance your employability with valued skills that includes evaluating evidence, and communicating specialist ideas and information to different audiences.

• Develop skills in independent working and apply these in an extended essay based on a literature-based research project.

• Relevant to careers where critical analysis is at a premium or involves understanding the workings of society.

• Offers the option to complete a dissertation in the final stage.

Course Modules

This social sciences degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

At Stage 1, you’ll begin with a broad introductory module covering key concepts and theories in the social sciences, and you'll address topics from criminology, economics, geography, politics, international studies, and sociology. For your second module, you'll choose between exploring important global challenges and an introduction to the study of crime, social harm and criminal justice.

At Stage 2, you'll begin by exploring how the internet and digital technology are transforming the social world. You'll then choose between two routes that shape the rest of your degree. In the Standard route, you can deepen your understanding of how religion shapes societies and cultures in 'Exploring religion: places, practices, texts and experiences' (A227), develop your research skills with 'Social research: crime, justice and society' (DD215), or examine how criminologists explain crime, criminal justice responses and experiences of victimisation in 'Understanding criminology' (DD212). In the Dissertation route, DD215 is compulsory, as it provides the essential research skills you’ll need for your independent dissertation project in Stage 3.

At Stage 3, you’ll choose from a range of social science modules. The sociology module you study to complete your degree will depend on whether you are following the standard or dissertation route.