What You Will Study

Sociology is the study of human behaviour, looking at how social structures such as education, the family, and the criminal justice system affect our daily lives. The subject covers a wide range of issues including class, gender, ethnicity and age. Sociological study has close links to psychology, politics and history. It encourages you to ask questions about your own experiences and to reflect on how and why society is structured the way that it is.

Sociology explores the reasons individuals act the way they do, while suggesting solutions to the problems we face today. You will consider major societal events such as the 9/11 attacks, Brexit, the 2008 global financial crisis, and colonisation, exploring the factors that led to these events and their consequences for individuals and for society.

You will cover four main topics: culture and identity, education, beliefs in society, and crime and deviance. Through these topics you will explore sociological perspectives such as Marxism and feminism. You will investigate questions such as: what impact does class have on educational outcomes? Why do men commit more crime than women? What leads to someone joining a cult? You will be encouraged to use the answers to identify solutions that might help other members of society.

This wide-ranging course will help you to develop an array of skills including critical thinking, independence, and problem-solving. You will be equipped to be adaptable to a variety of employment and higher education subjects. As part of the course you will have the opportunity to visit The Royal Courts of Justice in London, where you will enact a mock criminal trial and observe an actual trial in progress. Other trips, such as to the cities of Edinburgh, Paris and Rome, provide opportunities for cross-cultural comparisons of education, culture, and identity.