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 Major | 2018

Overview

This major is available for students studying the Bachelor of Arts.

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, policy development, implementation and evaluation, case management, 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, environmental campaigns;
Business: consumer/social research, public relations, marketing, 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.

Major Study

A major in Sociology consists of at least 48 credit points as outlined below.

Subject Code	Subject Name	Credit Points
Core
Students must complete ONE from the following:
SOC 103	Introduction to Sociology	6
SOC 104	Investigating Society	6
Plus:
SOC 207	Introduction to Social Theory	6
SOC 234	Social Research Methods	6
SOC 328	Social Policy, Neoliberalism and the 'Post-Welfare state' (Capstone)	6
Students must complete at least FOUR from the following. At least THREE must be at 300 level:
CST 244	The Everyday Life of Social Policy	6
SOC 208	Cities, Communities and Families	6
SOC 225	Youth Cultures	6
SOC 226	New Social Movements	6
SOC 227	Genders and Sexualities	6
SOC 247	Punishment: Purpose, Practice, Policy	6
SOC 248	Everyday Interaction	6
SOC 251	Genetics, Biotechnology and Society	6
SOC 252	Multicultural Cities	6
SOC 238	Happiness: Investigating its Causes and Conditions	6
STS 209	Sociology of Knowledge:Theories, Methods & Practices in the Sciences	6
STS 216	Environmental Sociology and Politics	6
CST 361	Cultures of Sex, Gender and Sexuality	6
CST 371	Race and Place	6
SOC 352	Power, Resistance and Society	6
SOC 329	Globalisation and Social Transformation	6
SOC 344	Emotions, Bodies & Society	6
SOC 347	Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine	6
SOC 351	Men and Masculinities	6
SOC 356	Cultures in Dispossession	6

Timetables

Click on subject codes in the above course structure for information on sessions of offer for each subject.

To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Minor Study

A 24 credit point minor in Sociology is available.

Students cannot complete both a major and minor in Sociology.

Information regarding minors, including which subjects to take to complete a minor, are available on the 2018 General Schedule of Minors page.

Minors appear on the transcript (academic record), but do not appear on the testamur. To have a minor study recorded, students must submit an Application to Declare or Change Intended Major/Minor.

Work Integrated Learning

Undertaking a work integrated learning (WIL) experience during your university education is now a significant contributor to being competitive in securing employment in your field of choice when you graduate from UOW.

The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts internship program provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting.

Students are also encouraged to consider CRLP200 (6cp). CRLP200 includes a quality assured workplace internship or industry project to give you that competitive edge by developing your professional skills through authentic learning in a real world context. You will focus on your career goals and receive career direction guidance, strengthen your resume and gain skills to navigate the rapidly changing world of work, develop your communication skills and begin to build a professional network.

Honours

See Bachelor of Arts (Honours).

Entry Requirements & Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the UOW Course Finder.

Other Information

For further information email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 13 June, 2018