Sociology
© Restricted/from the book 'Patched - The History of Gangs in New Zealand' by UC Sociology and Criminal Justice academic Dr Jarrod Gilbert (see SOCI 293 The History of Gangs in New Zealand).
Scholarships
Ranking
Top 200 in the world in Sociology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2019)
Download Brochure
Scholarships
Ranking
Top 200 in the world in Sociology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2019)
Download Brochure
Qualifications
Overview
If you want to study how the modern world came to be the way it is, what is happening and why, and what alternatives are possible, Sociology is for you. Sociology is a craft, a vocation, and to study and engage with the subject can be a transformative experience; once you have acquired a sociological imagination you will never be able to see the world in quite the same way again.
Sociologists investigate the structure of societies, organisations, groups, and everyday lives. Their subject matter ranges from the intimacy of the family to criminal gangs, and from rugby games to rock festivals.
- UC is ranked in the top 200 universities in the world in Sociology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2019).
- We teach courses that deal with subjects as diverse as crime and justice, cities, religion, health and medicine, social movements, death, migration, and much more.
- We want you to graduate with a Sociology degree that has value out there in the real world so we make sure you learn how to apply Sociology’s core methods to particular areas of life. Our courses are hands-on and we give our students the opportunity to do meaningful research, to create and analyse evidence, and to draw their own conclusions. You can apply the skills of sociological study to many careers. Our graduates go on to work in variety of jobs from policy settings to the health sector.
Sociology is increasingly being taught in schools but this background is not necessary for entry into first-year courses at university. All that is required is an enquiring mind, an openness to looking at things from different points of view, and an interest in what people do to and with each other.
Mature students are often able to bring a wealth of life experience to the study of Sociology. This is a discipline in which the life experiences of both young and mature students count.
UC offers a major and a minor in Sociology as part of the Bachelor of Arts. You can also study this subject as a minor within the Bachelor of Commerce.
100-level courses
Students intending to major in Sociology are required to take at least one course in Sociology at 100-level.
Sociology was one of the first established social science subjects at UC and sociological ideas and practices have been incorporated into many related subjects. Students majoring in Sociology successfully combine courses in Sociology with other courses such as Anthropology, Media and Communication, and Political Science and International Relations, as well as courses in Geography, History, Māori and Indigenous Studies, Social Work, Psychology, Computer Science, Management, Economics, and Law.
200-level and beyond
Sociology majors need to include SOCI 201 Social Theory for Contemporary Life in their second-year schedule.
Sociology courses at 200 and 300-level take students beyond introductions to the discipline to more focused and in-depth engagements with particular areas of sociological endeavour.
As well as introducing research methods and sociological theories, the specialist topics offered are closely linked to staff research areas. These include the environment and sustainability, development and gender in international relations, the sociology of sport and media, health, animals, heritage, religion, ethnic relations, the sociology of everyday life, globalisation and poverty, crime and justice, and even death and dying.
Sociologists are employed in a diverse range of occupations in the private and public sectors of the economy. Their skills are drawn on in private sector research organisations, consultancies, social policy, criminal justice, media firms, and a wide range of social movements or community development projects.
They also carry out research for government departments on topics such as the distribution of income and wealth, and gender and ethnic equality. Employment in government departments can also involve policy development and analysis, drafting new legislation, and analysing the benefits and costs of different social policies.
The broad skills gained from a Bachelor of Arts such as research, writing, critical thinking, and communication are all highly valued by employers and can open employment opportunities in careers as diverse as international relations, heritage, PR, teaching, publishing, advertising, and more.
Sociology graduates make good teachers and researchers in universities, polytechnics, continuing education providers, and schools.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Sociology.
Contact us
School of Language, Social and Political Sciences
Phone +64 3 369 3377
Email artsdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
See the School's website for up-to-date location details.
Postal address
College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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