Sociology looks at the processes that structure and transform social relations, and the complex interrelationship between individuals and the environments and societies they inhabit. It explores how identities and institutions are formed, and dynamically shaped, by activities occurring in different social contexts. Sociologists examine a broad spectrum of behaviours and explain how and why social problems and inequalities emerge, how they are experienced, and how they are responded to. The discipline draws on diverse theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches to analyse various social agents, fields and issues, ranging from climate change, globalisation, colonialism and urbanisation, to inequality, conflict, surveillance, health, education and work.
Students taking this major develop a ‘sociological imagination’, a distinctive way of thinking that enables them to (a) problematise taken-for-granted assumptions, (b) ask critically informed questions, (c) conduct independent social research, and (d) formulate in-depth understandings of social life and relations. They also learn a set of cognitive and transferable skills which help them shape broader intellectual and policy debates on various social issues. It is, therefore, a recognised and highly valued qualification in many career paths.
Learning Outcomes
- understand the effects of phenomena such as age, class, disability, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, nationality, environment, health, media, religion, work and technology on social relations;
- draw on a diverse range of sociological methods and theories to research the social world by collecting and critically analysing evidence; and
- communicate with and engage specialist and non-specialist audiences in the analysis of social issues and processes.
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
This Sociology major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
A maximum of 12 units of courses at 1000 level
A minimum of 18 units of courses at 3000 level
12 units from the following list:
SOCY1002 Self and Society (6 units)
SOCY1004 Economy and Society (6 units)
6 units from the following list:
SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods (6 units)
SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods (6 units)
6 units from the following list:
SOCY2040 Classical Social Theory (6 units)
SOCY2161 Contemporary Social Theory (6 units)
6 units from the following list:
CRIM2003 Controversies in Crime Control (6 units)
CRIM2005 Alcohol, Drugs and Crime: Promoting Health and Preventing Consequences (6 units)
CRIM2006 Young People and Crime: Developmental Criminology and Its Discontents (6 units)
CRIM2009 Corruption in Our World (6 units)
CRIM3002 Corruption in Sport (6 units)
DEMO2001 Understanding Population Change
DEMO2004 Social Inequalities in Health.
DEMO3010 Perspectives on Sex, Gender and Population
GEND2023 Gender, Sex and Sexuality: An Introduction to Feminist Theory (6 units)
GEND2037 Young People, Sex and Consent (6 units)
POLS2100 Genocide in the Modern World (6 units)
SOCY2022 Environmental Sociology (6 units)
SOCY2026 Excessive Appetites: Sociocultural Perspectives on Addiction and Drug Use (6 units)
SOCY2030 Social Inequalities and Development (6 units)
SOCY2035 Cities and Urban Transformation (6 units)
SOCY2101 Social Policy: Principles and Practice (6 units)
SOCY2157 Surveillance and Society (6 units)
SOCY2166 Social Science of the Internet (6 units)
SOCY2170 The Social Life of Algorithms (6 units)
18 units from the following list:
SOCY3001 Research Internship (6 units)
SOCY3005 Quantitative Projects for Inclusion and Diversity (6 units)
SOCY3007 Understanding Neoliberalism (6 units)
SOCY3010 Posthuman Bodies (6 units)
SOCY3050 Education and Society (6 units)
SOCY3057 Relationships, Marriage and Family (6 units)
SOCY3124 Transforming Society (6 units)
SOCY3167 Populism: Gender, Race, Class and Backlash (6 units)
SOCY3169 Online Research Methods (6 units)
Back to the top