Sociology is the systematic study of how society is organised and regulated. It also analyses the ways in which people experience and order social life. The discipline draws on diverse theoretical perspectives and research methods. Sociologists study a wide range of contemporary issues, including inequality and power, global environmental change and risk, embodiment and health, crime and surveillance, culture and identity, and citizenship and politics.

By studying sociology, students learn how individuals and groups influence and are influenced by their social world. Central to this sociological endeavour is a critical perspective which questions taken-for-granted assumptions about social reality. Sociology can prepare students to participate in wider intellectual debates about social issues, problems and injustices.

Completion of a sociology major will enable students to:

• Understand key dimensions of social experience (such as ethnicity, class, race, gender, age, sexual preference, disability, religion, and nationality).
• Use sociological theories and methods to analyse social issues.
• Assess the merits of competing theoretical approaches to sociology.
• Communicate sociological knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences.