Undergraduate study 2013 prospectus

General information

The sociologist’s aim is to understand and explain how societies work and why they change. Sociology as a discipline, therefore, is concerned with three major themes: formulating theories that make sense of social phenomena; developing rigorous and reliable methods of studying social structures and processes; and applying theories and research techniques to the analysis of society in its various aspects.

Through lectures, seminars and tutorials you will be introduced to all three themes. In your final year you will put them into practice by preparing a project dissertation on a topic of your own choice.

The course structure is flexible: if you wish you can extend your interests into other complementary areas of study by taking modules in other subjects alongside your Sociology modules.

The choice of other subjects is wide and means that you can tailor your course to suit your own particular interests and career intentions. Alternatively you can choose to follow all Sociology modules within the course.

Selection

We accept any combination of A Level subjects including General Studies: both arts and science subjects provide a basis for the appreciation of the social sciences.

We also welcome applications from students with other qualifications, from students on Access courses, and from mature students without formal qualifications. All these applicants are considered individually.

All candidates to whom conditional offers are made are invited to visit the University to find out more about the course, to meet current students, and to look round the campus.

Assessment

Assessment is normally by a combination of examinations and coursework, though in Year 1 some modules are wholly coursework assessed and others wholly examination assessed.

In Years 2 and 3 the usual combination is 50% examination and 50% coursework, while the final year project is assessed by a dissertation. The Year 1 assessment qualifies you to progress to Year 2. The final degree is determined by performance in Years 2 and 3 of the course.

Students can, if they want to, choose one of the two optional study/teaching abroad schemes:

Optional Six Month Study Abroad

Students can choose to visit a European University to study for six months. This a wonderful opportunity to enhance language skills and experience living abroad. There are many Universities to choose from, and the marks acquired count towards the final degree mark. This six month period is taken during the second year of the degree. 

Optional Teaching Abroad Year

Alternatively, students can choose to visit a European University to teach for a year as a language assistant. This is paid employment and earns the Diploma in International Studies which is an additional qualification to the final degree. This year is taken between Year 2 and Year 3 of the degree, and converts the degree into a four-year course.

Career Prospects

A degree in Sociology will give you insights into the complexity of social relationships and a sophisticated grasp of how our society operates, which will be an advantage in gaining access to a wide variety of careers.

Our graduates have entered a wide range of professions, including business management, careers guidance, information and communication technology, journalism, marketing, personnel management, planning, public administration, public relations, social work, university research and teaching.

Course structure

Year 1

Introduction to Sociology modules exploring a range of topics such as social change, identity, power, globalisation, consumption, culture and modernity; Modules in The Sociological Imagination, Social Psychology, and survey methods; and a range of optional modules including languages.

Year 2 

Modules in Classic and Contemporary Social Theory, Social Research Methodology (teaching a range of transferable skills), and Key Themes and Issues of central relevance to Sociology, plus selection from a range of optional modules such as:

• Cultural Analysis
• Nation and Empire
• Sociology of Tourism
• Sociology of Gender
• Capitalism and Cultural Change
• Sociology of Religion
• Race and Racism in Modern Society
• Debating Society
• Health, Technology and Culture
• History of Ideas

Year 3

Modules in the practical applications and wider implications of Sociology, a research project on a topic of your own choice, a module supporting the practical and intellectual work for the project, plus a selection from a range of optional modules as for Year 2.

Study options and entry requirements

Here you will find information about the various study options available for this course and the entry requirements for each option.

SQA = Scottish Qualifications Authority IB = International Baccalaureate