BSocSc Sociology

BSocSc Sociology will see you study social life and social change.

Sociology adopts the perspective that individual behaviour can only be understood by studying people's social context and their webs of connection. This can lead the sociologist to many different topics of study from reproduction of inequalities in relation to social categories (such as race, class or gender), to the shaping of intimate relationships by wider cultural contexts, or the generation of resistance and protest by economic trends and crises.

An investigative `myth-busting' discipline, sociology critically examines core assumptions about social life. Research and teaching are often motivated by the desire to improve or challenge the conditions of life and society, and sociology provides a critical perspective on how and why we might change our social worlds.

At Manchester, all of our lecturers are also engaged in research and writing on a range of sociological topics. When we research these areas, we are interested in patterns of individual and group behaviour, the rules and norms that govern that behaviour in different societies and the meanings that people attribute to their own life circumstances, social identities and relationships.

BSocSc Sociology gives you the skills to analyse and interpret contemporary social developments and problems. You will explore how claims about social life are based on particular types of evidence and develop the skills to critically assess them. We will help you develop your analytical and investigative skills, training you in methods of social investigation in order to equip you with the skills needed for independent thinking, research and analysis.

Our specialisms include:

social divisions and inequality (class, gender and race)
social movements
sustainability and environment
social theory
globalisation and social change
cultural practices and consumption
media and technology
work and economy
personal life (family, intimacies and sexualities)
survey methods and qualitative research
cities and urban life
ageing and social gerontology