Sociology

Sociology is the study of human society — how society has developed, how it is structured and how it works. You will look at culture and identity, social problems such as crime and poverty and the opportunities and challenges presented by globalisation. You can expect Sociology to shock and surprise you, as you begin to see the world around you in a new way, and to challenge many of your own assumptions and beliefs.

Sociology allows you to gain an understanding of the way society works, and therefore to gain a different and much fuller perspective on the world around you. For example, you will have the opportunity to tackle contentious debates like why the prison population contains more people from ethnic minority backgrounds, why some sections of society have become obsessed with celebrity, the social and economic reasons behind health inequality by region and social class in the UK, and the impact of new media on global popular culture.

Students are assessed through examinations and will sit 3, 2 hour exams at the end of the course.

Many students go on to study related Social Science courses at university, and a background in Sociology is helpful in careers such as law, civil service, education, criminal justice system and social work. You will develop a strong skillset including written and oral communication, and the ability to analyse and evaluate data from a range of sources — useful in a wide range of professional contexts.