Sociology

Three years full-time or flexible part-time.

Our students develop a critical understanding and insight into contemporary sociological themes and issues. They can choose from a range of current and relevant specialisms within sociology and will gain a thorough grounding in research methods with good opportunities for the practical application of research skills. The curriculum is designed to promote employable skills and includes specialist input from careers guidance experts and a careers fair. Recent graduates have described the course as "very challenging", "well structured and well taught", "very supportive" and "thoroughly enjoyable and mind expanding".

Stage one

Stage one offers students an introduction to a range of sociological theories and debates in relation to the development of modern societies in the information age and the small-scale aspects of society such as identity formation and the idea of self.

Stage two

The focus is broadened at stage two with the compulsory module, Cultural Transformations, where students examine key changes in society, culture and identity in the 21st century. Students are also introduced to the kinds of research methods adopted by sociologists and the modules provide ample opportunity for practical application. Students can also choose from a range of specialisms including Family and Intimate Relationships, Identity and Community, Crime and Justice, Gender, Race and Representation, and Globalisation and Development in the 21st Century. Single honours students have the opportunity to do a research placement at their second stage. Previous students have been placed in local schools, local newspapers, theatres, with voluntary organisations and the probation service.

Stage three

Stage three builds on the earlier stages in providing compulsory and optional modules. Modernity and Beyond offers a more advanced theoretical understanding of sociological issues with particular reference to the major global transformations of the 21st century. The range of optional modules offered develops and expands on these issues with reference to contemporary topics and new developments in sociology. Stage three specialisms include Gender, Race and Crime, Childhood and Society, The Body, Sex and Society, Social and Cultural Change in the 1960s, and Development and Change in the Third World.

• Relevant contemporary issues studied within a clear theoretical framework
• Great opportunity for placement experience at stage two

• Conducting Social Research
• Crime and Society
• Cultural Transformations
• Ideology, Fantasy and Film
• Introduction to Media Studies
• Modernity and Beyond
• Socialisation, Conformity and Deviance
• Sociology of Intimate Relationships
• Social Identities and Everyday Life
• Work and Technology in the Information Age

Course outline

Sociology is an exciting and relevant subject, which will furnish you with a range of practical and academic skills so important and highly valued in today's job market.

If you have a passionate interest in the problems of the contemporary world and their possible solutions; if you are intrigued by the way our own identities are shaped and moulded or if you simply want to know what makes society 'tick', then studying Sociology at The University of Northampton may be the right choice of degree for you.

Whether you are a single or Joint Honours student, we will help you to establish a solid basis in the fundamentals of the discipline and we'll offer you a considerable range of specialist modules giving you the chance of pursuing your own particular interests. Single honours students get the chance to apply their academic learning in a placement setting at stage two.

This opportunity not only gives you a real taste of the world of work but also allows you to apply your sociological skills in the 'real' world. The placement element of our curriculum has been very popular with past students. Many have commented on the tremendous boost to their confidence that this experience has given. Others have remarked on the importance of the placement for their work opportunities after graduating.  

Our curriculum

Contemporary themes and issues included on our modules start from our own, familiar setting in Britain to embrace more general European and American concerns as well as global issues. If you have an interest, for example, in gender issues, youth cultures, the impact of new technology, the power of the mass media, racism, the problems of crime in contemporary Britain, the ups and downs of relationships in the modern world or the politics of global relations, to name but a few topics, then we have modules which will interest you. We also provide a variety of ways of demonstrating your learning and academic skills.

Our assessment strategies are regularly praised by our external examiners as being imaginative and varied. The majority of our second stage modules are assessed solely via coursework, for example, with no exams. Our strategies include internet and electronic exercises, presentations (in groups or on your own), textual analyses, constructing annotated bibliographies among many others, and for each style of assessment we will give you good support and direction. Throughout your time with us you can be sure that you will have supportive tutorial help both from the course leaders and your module staff.  

Research

We are actively engaged in research and we see this as vital to renew our enthusiasm for the subject, and as an important means of informing our teaching. To take two examples: Professor Andy Pilkington has written widely in the field of ethnicity and race relations. He has recently written a key text on race and ethnicity: Racial Disadvantage and Ethnic Diversity in Britain. One of our course leaders Colleen McNeil-Walsh is currently researching the experiences of new economic migrants to the UK.

The skills, knowledge and competencies which our students develop equip them very well for a wide range of possible careers. Our recent graduates can be found in careers as varied as marketing, personnel management, teaching, journalism and police and probation work and our degrees also provide a sound basis for progression into postgraduate study.