Sociology

• Gain a sociological imagination through innovative teaching and learning
  
  
• Develop employability skills
  
  
• Take part in 'real' research projects commissioned by the voluntary and community sector

"Studying sociology at Staffs University has enabled me to follow my own areas of interest at an academic level which has put me in good stead to study further. The encouragement of independent study and research projects has meant that I have built up a good rapport with both voluntary and Local Authority organisations which will benefit me both in and out of the educational environment.

I have been able to approach issues that have been both personally and academically challenging throughout my course and the sociology team are always there to help. Thanks to their professional, yet relaxed attitude, I feel fully prepared for the employment prospects my course has made available but first I’m heading for a masters. "

Steven Barkess – Level 6 Sociology

Our course is concerned with understanding relations between people in contemporary societies. We focus on issues such as social conflict; social change; divisions between social groups; social problems such as homelessness, poverty and unemployment; social and political strategies for resolving these problems; issues around identity, consumption and style; cultural aspects of the human body and sexuality; social policy and welfare, and anthropological understandings of the social world.

On the course you have the opportunity to develop your ability to assess different theoretical perspectives on the social world and to understand various research methods in the analysis of social processes and people’s place in society. In these respects, we aim to equip you with analytical skills and competence in research, computing, communication, data analysis, presentation and problem solving. At Level 4, a variety of option choices supplement core modules to provide a basic grounding from which you can begin to specialise in your second and third years. Key sociological theories and practical skills needed for sociology are developed in the core.

Level 5 core modules develop your ability to compare and assess key sociological theories. You are involved as researchers in ‘real’ research projects commissioned by the voluntary and community sector. This method of teaching and learning develops wide ranging transferable skills at the same time as making a worthwhile contribution to the local community. The main core area of Level 6 is either a dissertation or an applied community research project, which gives you the opportunity to research a topic of your own choice or one commissioned by a local organisation.

Through Levels 5 and 6 a wide range of award specific and general options are available, many of which cover contemporary issues such as illicit drug use, prostitution, homosexuality, the sociology of health and illness and the human body. We employ a wide array of assessment methods including essays, reports, literature reviews, class tests, examinations, presentations, seminar portfolios, critical reviews, research diaries and reports.

On completion of this course you will be capable of independent judgement, self-reflection, critical debate and researching into, and reporting on, issues defined as problematic. Our graduates have a good employment record in fields as diverse as social work, probation, policing, teaching, public administration, journalism, commerce, finance, retail, tourism and leisure.

Salina Javed Ali completed BA Sociology last year has gone on to work in administration for EcoHIP which is an environmental organisation providing green solutions for house sales and rental.

Salina feels that the transferable skills she gained during her time at Staffordshire University studying Sociology have helped her gain  graduate employment in such an interesting line of work.

• BA(Hons) Sociology Programme Specification (PDF, file size: 102.34KB)

For more information about Sociology (L300) please contact: