Course description
Sociology questions assumptions about the social world showing that such things as the family, sex and gender relationships, and race are socially constructed rather than naturally given. Sociologists are also concerned with how power operates in society and the way social institutions advantage and disadvantage different groups of people.
The Sociology Department at City is well known for teaching and research in the sociology of media, gender, globalisation, culture, social classes, ethnicity and human rights.
A degree programme in sociology develops a range of abilities valued by employers, including analytical and communication skills, specialised knowledge and independent judgement. Rather than tying you to a specific career, a sociology-based degree can lead to a wide range of careers, including television and radio, advertising, press and public relations, audience and market research, the arts, voluntary organisations, local government, and health and social services.
Sociology at City has a number of distinctive features.
You will benefit directly from being taught by staff who are active researchers in their specialisms. We are therefore able to offer a wide range of specialised modules together with a high level of project supervision in the third year.
Throughout your three years, you will also benefit from the high level of research skills teaching available in the Department, culminating in an independent piece of work in the third year.
Our location in London as a world centre and global city means you will also benefit from being part of a genuinely international and multicultural student body
Modules: BSc Sociology
Year 1
In the first year you take four modules of 30 credits each. Everyone takes the Introduction to Sociology module which lays down the foundations for further study. You also take the Sociology Workshop and Introduction to Media Studies modules, and select another 30 credits from a wide range of options.
Core modules:
* Introduction to Sociology
* Sociology Workshop
Optional modules include:
* Introduction to Criminology
* Introduction to Media Studies
* Topics in Applied Macroeconomics
* Introduction to Microeconomics
* Introduction to Macroeconomics
* History and Theory in Psychology
* Lifespan Psychology
* Theories of Global Politics
* Global Political Issues in the Late Twentieth Century
* International Organisations in Global Politics
Year 2
In the second year you then specialise in more advanced topics, studying four modules of 30 credits each, including two core modules and two elective modules.
Core modules:
* Understanding Social Change
* Theories and Research Strategies in Contemporary Sociology
Optional modules:
* New Media Challenges
* Media, Culture and Society
* News and Society
* Media, Crime and Criminal Justice
* Key Issues in Criminology
* Culture, Community and Identity
* Political Sociology
Year 3
In the final year, you choose three modules of 30 credits each, as well as completing your final year project.
Elective modules include:
* World Media Industry
* Sociology of Race and Racism
* Migration, Refugees and Globalisation
* Gender and Society
* Sociology of Sexualities
* The Information Society
* Policing: Theory and Practice
* Youth, Crime and Society
* Victims, Crime and Society
* Globalisation, Social Difference and Human Rights
Duration of course
3 years
Teaching
Teaching is through a combination of lectures covering the main theories, concepts and ideas associated with each module and classes/workshops which follow on from the lectures, revisiting the more difficult topics, conducting problem solving and applications sessions and allowing greater opportunity for students to reflect on their understanding of the material through discussion. Some teaching occurs computer laboratories so students can learn about the specialist software SPSS. Assessed work is in the form of essays and presentations.
Assessment
You will be assessed throughout the programme by coursework and by examinations. In the final year there is also an assessed research project. Your final degree classification will depend on results from coursework and examinations in your first, second and final years.
