Sociology analyses the processes that structure and transform social relations. It explores how identities and societies are formed by virtue of activity occurring in different social contexts. Sociologists examine a wide spectrum of behaviours and they evaluate how and why different social problems and inequalities emerge, how they are experienced, and how they are responded to. The discipline draws on a diverse range of theoretical perspectives and methodological techniques to study the social underpinnings of key concerns, including climate change, surveillance, local and global conflicts, and health and education inequalities.
Students develop a 'sociological imagination', a way of thinking that enables them to (a) problematise taken-for-granted assumptions; (b) ask critically informed questions; (c) engage in systematic research; and (d) formulate in-depth analytical understandings of social behaviour and relations. A sociology degree provides students with a cognitive and transferable skill set and it empowers them to participate in wider intellectual and policy debates about key social issues. It is therefore a recognised and valued qualification in a range of careers.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:- Think in a sociologically informed manner and formulate sociologically literate questions.
- Understand key dimensions of social organisation and social experience as these are mediated by factors such as ethnicity, class, race, gender, age, sexual preference, disability, religion and nationality.
- Apply sociological concepts and knowledge to the analysis of real world social issues and inequalities.
- Evaluate the merits of competing methodological approaches and theoretical explanations.
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
This minor requires the completion of 24 units, which must include:
6 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SOCY3124 | Transforming Society: Towards a Public Sociology | 6 |
6 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SOCY1002 | Self and Society | 6 |
| SOCY1004 | Analysing the Social World: An Introduction to Social Psychology | 6 |
12 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CRIM2003 | Controversies in Crime Control | 6 |
| CRIM2008 | Punishment and Society: An Introduction to Penology | 6 |
| CRIM2009 | Corruption in our world | 6 |
| CRIM3002 | Corruption in Sport | 6 |
| GEND2023 | Gender, Sex and Sexuality: An Introduction to Feminist Theory | 6 |
| POLS2100 | Genocide in the Modern World | 6 |
| SOCY2008 | Living in the Risk Society: Health, Crime, Climate and Disasters | 6 |
| SOCY2010 | Going Public: Sex, Sexuality and Feminism | 6 |
| SOCY2021 | Education and Society | 6 |
| SOCY2022 | Environmental Sociology | 6 |
| SOCY2026 | Excessive Appetites: Sociocultural Perspectives on Addiction and Drug Use | 6 |
| SOCY2030 | Sociology of Third World Development | 6 |
| SOCY2035 | Cities and urban transformation | 6 |
| SOCY2038 | Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods | 6 |
| SOCY2040 | Classical Social Theory | 6 |
| SOCY2043 | Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods | 6 |
| SOCY2057 | Relationships, Marriage and Family | 6 |
| SOCY2059 | Sociology of Resistance | 6 |
| SOCY2060 | Mobile Societies | 6 |
| SOCY2101 | Social Policy: Principles and Practice | 6 |
| SOCY2157 | Surveillance and Society | 6 |
| SOCY2161 | Contemporary Social Theory | 6 |
| SOCY2162 | Sociology of Health and Illness | 6 |
| SOCY2163 | Identity, Difference and Racism | 6 |
| SOCY2164 | Research for Public Policy | 6 |
| SOCY2165 | Public Sphere & Media | 6 |
| SOCY2166 | Social Science of the Internet | 6 |
| SOCY2167 | Populism | 6 |
| SOCY2168 | Special Topics in Sociology | 6 |
| SOCY2169 | Online Research Methods | 6 |
| SOCY3010 | Posthuman Bodies | 6 |
| SOCY3001 | Research Internship | 6 |
