Sociology - BA (Hons)

Durham University

Whether you're interested in understanding individual behaviour or large-scale social change, as a student of Sociology you'll learn how society is structured and develops through critical engagement with the major social and political issues of our time. Sociology aims to understand the relationships between individual people and the wider cultural and institutional contexts within which they live. It is concerned with the nature of what we refer to as "society", how it shapes the way in which we live and, in turn, how it is shaped by our individual and collective action. As a student of Sociology, you will join a dynamic learning and research community, which includes internationally recognised experts actively involved in collaborative projects focused on local, national and international issues. We are defined by our curiosity about the issues that impact the world around us and our drive to use our work to bring about positive social change. Drawing on this expertise, this course explores key social issues that affect our everyday lives including education, employment, health, criminality, race and digital technologies. Alongside these kinds of topics, you will learn about historical and contemporary concepts that define sociological thought and place them within their social and political contexts. You will also learn how to design and carry out sociological research through research projects carried out in the second and final year of study. We offer the option to undertake a placement with a local community organisation to deploy your knowledge in an applied setting. This course explores key social issues that affect our everyday lives including education, employment, health, criminality, race and digital technologies.Course structureYear 1 modulesCore modules:Classical Sociological Theory will introduce you to key sociological concepts and ideas that form the basis of a sociological perspective for understanding the world. Starting with classical sociological work from the 19th and early 20th centuries, the module demonstrates how sociological ideas have developed over time through refinement, evaluation and critique.Social Research Methods examines the concept of social research and practice-based inquiry. You will learn how to produce and analyse different kinds of data and develop some basic practical skills in designing and carrying out social research yourself.Societies in Transition offers a formative examination of modern societies and aspects of contemporary social life. It provides the tools to reflect upon the dynamic nature of societies, including the bases for social transformation and change.Critical Scholarship in the Social Sciences supports the transition to university-level study by helping you develop the foundational academic skills that are needed throughout your degree. Through it you will learn key academic conventions and skills, for example: reading and evaluation writing and argument presentation and discussion and so on.Year 2 modulesCore modules:Modern and Contemporary Sociological Theory engages with contemporary theoretical perspectives and issues in the field of sociology. In doing so, you will learn to develop evaluations and critiques of sociological thought grounded in both conceptual discussion and empirical observation.Research Methods in Action supports your development of applied research skills. At the core of the module is a group-based research project you design and carry out on a topic of your choosing. In addition, you will learn a range of methods and techniques for analysing both quantitative (statistics) and qualitative (textual / verbal / visual) data.Optional modules:In recent years, optional modules have included: Communities and Social JusticeContemporary Criminological TheoryCrime, Power and Social InequalitiesPolicing and PoliceSelf, Identity and SocietySociology of