Sociology BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  The course explores topical societal questions such as:

  • What is Sociological Imagination? How is it used?
  • What is the impact of Inequalities on Spaces and Places?
  • How do we shape our own identity and self?
  • How can Sociologists become professionals?
  • How important is the future to Sociology, societies and the self?
  • What is Sociology of the Life course? How is it related to the Sociology of Death?
  • How can we understand Race, Ethnicity and Migration after Brexit?

  You will develop a critical understanding of contemporary sociological themes and issues whilst learning to apply sociological concepts on a global scale. Core modules that you will study provide you with a foundation of knowledge and understanding of the discipline. You will then develop your knowledge further and will be able to add areas of personal interest such as international development, politics, media and culture, and deviance.

  Schedule

  • you will receive 12 hours per week dedicated teaching support in year one and additional staff guidance throughout your first year
  • in year two a minimum of 10 hours teaching per week is provided and you will have greater flexibility to shape your own study week supported by one-to-one and group tutorials
  • in year three eight hours of classroom-based teaching per week is provided and you will meet regularly with your dissertation supervisor. Supervisors take on the role of personal tutors as well as providing expert support in your chosen area of research.

  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2
  • Stage 3

  • The Sociology of Education (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC1069

    Status: Compulsory
    The module aims to support students in developing a theoretical/conceptual and historical understanding of the social issues surrounding education. The module supports these aims by: (1) providing a solid grounding in key sociological theories and themes vis-a-vis education (2) exploring core themes for sociology of education for instance the role of the State the concept of childhood the relationship between education and the market and education and the family and (3) giving opportunities to develop the skills to evaluate and instigate change in educational systems
  • Media, Crime and Society (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC1072

    Status: Compulsory
    Drawing on from disciplines such as Sociology Media/Cultural/Communication Studies Journalism Criminology and Psychology this module is designed to introduce students to a wide range of different topics in order to create a multi/inter-disciplinary theoretical and conceptual understanding of the relationship between the media crime and society.
  • Identity Formation and Social Change (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC1073

    Status: Compulsory
    This module will introduce students to a range of micro- and macro-sociological perspectives and their analysis of the changing nature of social identities. Based around the structure/action dualism that retains a central place in sociological debate and taking a historical/chronological approach from early modernity to the global age. It aims to demonstrate the relevance and applicability of sociology to an understanding of social identity and aspects of everyday life.
  • Gender and Society (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC1076

    Status: Compulsory
    This module introduces students to a range of sociological and feminist perspectives on gender and to contemporary debates about gender and society. In doing so the module aims to develop an in-depth exploration of masculinities femininities and transgender identities and their historical cultural social and political dimensions.
  • Spaces and Places of Social Inequalities (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC1077

    Status: Compulsory
    Current sociological research on inequalities focuses on the geography of social inequality that is on the relation between space place and inequalities. This module explores issues such as housing health services education polices urban and rural development supporting the students in gaining an understanding of several core areas of social and spatial inequalities.
  • The Sociological Imagination (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC1078

    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is to introduce in a critical and synthesized manner that enable first-year sociology students to understand how sociology investigates and describes the social world. Important theoretical perspectives and primary methodological considerations will be a large consideration. Empirical as well as theoretical engagement with introductory sociological principles will be presented as part of the wider concept of what is perceived to be the `sociological imagination?.

  • Sociology of Health and Well-being (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC2114

    Status: Designate
    This module introduces students to: a range of sociological perspectives and contemporary debates relating to the Sociology of Health and Well-Being; issues and/or practice; the socially constructed nature of medical knowledge and practice; relationships between and explanations for social variances in health illness disease and well-being and globalisation; the classic sociological `structure? versus `agency? debates.
  • `Race', Ethnicity and Migrations (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC2113

    Status: Designate
    The purpose of this module is to provide a framework through which students can develop an understanding of ethnic relations and inequalities through historical and contemporary social science perspectives. Based on fundamental theories from social psychology communication studies and identity studies students will explore issues of racism inclusion/exclusion discrimination disadvantage and identities between racialized social groups and critically analyze their socio-historical genesis.
  • Methodology and Application in Social Research (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC2112

    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is: To familiarize students with the theoretical and practical elements of the social research process which will help in preparation for their dissertations in the third year.
  • Social Transitions of the Life Course (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC2110

    Status: Designate
    This module builds on the foundations of the compulsory modules in year one and aims to develop the student?s theoretical knowledge and understanding about major social and cultural changes for subjets in the contemporary world. The module will introduce students to the debates in Sociology about the increasingly contested nature of age boundaries and the journey through the life course.
  • International Field Trip (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC2109

    Status: Designate
    The purpose of this module is to provide students with a valuable opportunity to prepare and conduct sociological research `in the field?. Students draw on prior Sociological knowledge and social research skills to undertake a detailed study of one or more of the particular topics of sociological significance related to the social context of the International Field Trip.
  • Love and Intimacy in the 21st Century (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC2009

    Status: Designate
    This is a level 5 module that builds on the sociological foundations of level 4 and allows students to tackle a range of material within a specialist field. The module has been designed to enable students to relate the study of intimate relationships and family life to their own experience whilst also developing their ability to apply sociological research and theories to understanding this area.
  • Sociology of Sport, Leisure and Tourism (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC2115

    Status: Designate
    The module introduces students a wide range of sociological perspectives and contemporary debates relating to three separate but inter-related areas: Sport Leisure and Tourism. In doing so the module aims to explore some of the key issues that these activities have on everyday life both for the individual as well as for society.
  • BA Sociology Placement (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC2096

    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to develop employability skills in order to successfully secure a graduate level placement and conduct sociological research and/or reflection in a workplace volunteering and/or social action setting.

  • Sociology of the Self (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC3059

    Status: Designate
    The purpose of this module is ?to advance students? understanding concerning: a) the socio-theoretical approaches to the study of the self and b) the dialogic relationship between them. It provides students with the means to understand core theorizations of the relationship between society and the individual and consider possible distinctions of the two concepts. It will also enable students to understand the distinction between inter-active and intra-active processes as two of the key ways to explore the relationship between structure and agency.
  • Body, Sex and Society (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC3019

    Status: Designate
    Popular and academic concern with both the body and sex have increased enormously within the last 150 years. This module provides an opportunity to critically explore this development in relation to matters of continuity and change within advancing modernity at a range of levels from the individual to the global.
  • The Sociology of the Future (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC3063

    Status: Designate
    The purpose of this module is to engage in a critical interdisciplinary examination of past and present examples of possible probable preferable and already in process futures. Students will critically explore how the future has been/is told tamed traded transformed traversed thought tended and transcended ? focusing on the 'utopian imagination' i.e. the hope for a more perfect world and better 'way of life? that has always been at the very core of the 'human condition' and which had/still has an important part to play in re-shaping contemporary ideologies peoples and societies.
  • Sociology of Death (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC3060

    Status: Designate
    This is a level 6 module that builds on the sociological foundations of level 5 and allows students to tackle a range of material within a specialist field. The module has been designed to enable students to relate the study of death dying and breavement to their own experience whilst also developing their ability to apply sociological research and theories to the understanding of this area.
  • Sociology Dissertation (40 Credits)
    Module code: SOC4018

    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is to build on the applied social research methods training that students receive at Level 5 and provide them with an opportunity to study a topic of contemporary sociological significance in depth. Students are expected to work independently under the supervision of their dissertation supervisor.
  • Sociology and Complexity (20 Credits)
    Module code: SOC3062

    Status: Designate
    This module aims to equip students to understand and tackle intellectually the complexity that characterizes all aspects of society - for instance the environment global economy scientific research intimacy or politics. The module addresses the imperative need for advanced sociological theory to understand the changing and interrelated nature of social problems. Case studies from mass-media social networks human rights risk management and ecology will be used to support the practical implications of the use of complexity theory in society.

  Close
• International Field Module trip

  We also value the significance of understanding different cultures and for that reason there is an opportunity in the second year of the course to participate in the International Field Module, allowing you to learn about how different societies funtion and apply theory to real-life scenarios.

  Our students have already travelled to Abu Dhabi, Berlin, Athens, and Rome. This module is opitonal – for a five to seven day visit the cost will not be more than £1,000.

  Close
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

  How will I be assessed?

  Our assessments on the BA Sociology course are regularly praised by our external examiners as being imaginative and varied. Assessment methods used on this course include:

  • essays
  • seminar portfolios
  • seen and unseen exams
  • internet-based exercises
  • group presentations
  • research projects
  • academic posters.

  Close
• Entry Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer would be:

  • BCC at A Level or DMM at BTEC.
  • an Access Course must include 30 level 3 credits at Merit.
  • we welcome international applicants and applications from those with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.

  Integrated Foundation Study Entry Requirements

  Admission to this Foundation Framework is normally:

  • DEE at A Level or MPP at BTEC
  • however, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course you wish to study.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
    for study at undergraduate level.

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  Close
• Fees and Funding

  UK & EU

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,450 per 20 credit module
  Foundation Framework: £6,750 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate).

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,400 per 20 credit module
  Foundation: £6,600 (as part of a four year programme subsequent years will be charged at the BA/BSc fee).

  Additional Costs

  The optional International Field Trip is partially funded by the University. The costs of trip is on average between £600-£1,000 and students pay part of this cost.

  As a part of the Sociology Placement module, students get a free DBS paid by the University but students need to pay for any additional expenses such as travel costs.

  International

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £12,900
  Foundation Framework: £9,800

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £12,500

  Additional Costs

  The optional International Field Trip is partially funded by the University. The costs of trip is on average between £600-£1,000 and students pay part of this cost.

  As a part of the Sociology Placement module, students get a free DBS paid by the University but students need to pay for any additional expenses such as travel costs.

  Close