Sociology

Course summary

Sociology is a subject that requires you to think beyond the obvious and examine how everyday life can be influenced by the society in which we live. You will look at the impact of class, gender, ethnicity, and age on our identity and life chances and examine how society is always in the process of change. You will also look at how sociologists carry out their research. In Sociology, you will study several topics that look at contemporary issues and how sociologists interpret their development and impact. These include: • Social identity in areas such as gender, ethnicity, class, and age • The family: contemporary patterns in the family and how it is changing • The nature and cause of inequalities in society: class, gender, age and ethnicity • The societal impact of global technology and social media • Educational change, the attainment of different groups, and remaining inequalities • Sociological research methods – how sociologists carry out research In studying these areas of society through the academic study of sociology you will gain a critical understanding of key issues in contemporary society and how sociologists have examined and debated these areas. Sociology develops your skills of discussion, analysis, and evaluation; these skills are valuable in a wide range of occupational areas. This includes careers such as social research, law, journalism, teaching, business and public services. Sociology may lead directly to studying the subject at university or to a broad range of related degree areas such as politics, international relations, social sciences, journalism, etc