- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Sociology
The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only.
Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.
Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.
Sociology is the study of society. It examines social life, cultural and social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behaviour. Sociology involves asking questions about human life and society, developing understandings of our diverse and rapidly changing world, and identifying the causes of and solutions to social problems. Study sociology to learn key research skills, engage with social issues, and expand your world.
By acquiring sociological skills students develop the ability to analyse a wide variety of social processes, institutions, causes of social change, and the structures of groups and societies. Specific areas of study include social theory and social research methods; social policy and the state; gender, sexuality and the body; crime and punishment; race and ethnicity; social class; families and intimacy; social interaction; social movements; globalisation, development, and social change; and media and popular culture. The Sociology Program at the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts organises these areas thematically, allowing students to navigate their own path through the curriculum, and consolidate in areas of interest over the course of the degree.
Sociology is an exciting area of study, taught with passion, and providing expanding opportunities for a wide range of career paths including:
- All levels of government: graduate entry programs, industrial relations, criminal justice, work, policy development and implementation, case management, group work with youth or the elderly, urban planning, administration, migrant and multicultural affairs;
- Community and non-profit organisations: administration, overseas aid and development agencies, social research, policy development, lobbying, environment campaigns;
- Business: consumer/social research, public relations, publishing, journalism, personnel work, training;
- Academic work: University and TAFE teaching, research assistant work.
Major Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this major students will be able to:
- Understand and critically assess core ideas in Sociology and related fields of society;
- Design and report on independent sociological research projects, using appropriate sociological research methods;
- Critically assess and apply contemporary sociological theories to important current social issues.
Subjects Required for Major Study
A major in Sociology consists of at least 48 credit points as outlined below.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | |||
| Students must complete ONE from the following: | |||
| SOC 103 | Introduction to Sociology | 6 | Autumn |
| SOC 104 | Investigating Society | 6 | Spring |
| Plus: | |||
| SOC 207 | Introduction to Social Theory | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2017 |
| SOC 234 | Social Research Methods | 6 | Spring First Offered 2017 |
| SOC 328 | Social Research and Social Policy (Capstone) | 6 | Spring First Offered 2018 |
| Electives | |||
| Plus ONE from the following: | |||
| SOC 208 | Families, Relationships and Intimacy | 6 | First Offered 2017 |
| SOC 225 | Youth Cultures | 6 | First Offered 2017 |
| SOC 226 | New Social Movements | 6 | First Offered 2017 |
| SOC 227 | Genders and Sexualities | 6 | Spring First Offered 2017 |
| SOC 228 | Crime, Criminality and Criminalisation | 6 | First Offered 2017 |
| SOC 247 | Punishment: Purpose, Practice, Policy | 6 | Spring First Offered 2017 |
| SOC 248 | Everyday Interaction | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2017 |
| CST 244 | Cultural Investigations | 6 | First Offered 2017 |
| CST 238 | Happiness: Investigating its Causes and Conditions | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2017 |
| STS 216 | Environmental Sociology and Politics | 6 | Spring |
| STS 209 | Sociology of Knowledge: theories, methods and practices in the sciences | 6 | Spring |
| Plus THREE from the following: | |||
| SOC 300 | Power, Resistance and Society | 6 | Spring First Offered 2018 |
| SOC 329 | Social Transformation | 6 | Spring First Offered 2018 |
| SOC 344 | Emotions, Bodies & Society | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2018 |
| SOC 346 | Independent Research | 6 | Autumn, Spring First Offered 2018 |
| SOC 351 | Men and Masculinities | 6 | Spring First Offered 2018 |
| SOC 356 | Cultures in Dispossession | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2018 |
| CST 361 | Cultures of Sex, Gender and Sexuality | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2018 |
| CST 371 | Race and Place | 6 | Spring First Offered 2018 |
| STS 304 | Body Politics: Contemporary Issues in Social Science and Medicine | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2018 |
Minor Study
A 24 credit point minor in Sociology is available.
Honours
Credit Arrangements
Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.
Other Information
Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au