Course summary

Course details: Sociology offers a distinctive and enlightening way of seeing and understanding the social world we live in, and looks beyond normal, taken-for-granted views to provide deeper, more illuminating and challenging understandings of social life. What social forces shape our everyday lives? How can we understand, explain and link local, national and global societies? What factors impact on our opinions and attitudes to social issues, society in general and other people? If you have an enquiring mind, are interested in key sociological issues in response to these questions, and being part of the solution, then sociology is for you. You develop high level analysis, research and writing skills which are highly valued by employers in the public sector, journalism, social research, community development, non-governmental organisations and postgraduate study or training. Sociology at Teesside addresses historical and contemporary issues, and investigates topics such as work, social diversities, social inequalities, leisure and youth, and social exclusion. You think critically about the world you live in, gain an understanding of people and their interactions, lives and experiences, and consider whether governments and social policies can improve the lives of ordinary people. You can specialise in areas as diverse as globalisation, gender, social media and social policy in context. Top reasons to study this course 1. Staff are research active and widely published, which underpins their teaching, and means you gain a contemporary, authentic learning experience. 2. Build up your general interest in sociology to specialise in your final year on your own piece of research. 3. Opportunities for work experience or a work-related learning project, including Volun-tees, across areas such as drug projects, youth projects and victim support. These credits can help you make employment decisions and provide real world experience to include on your CV. 4. Our Inside Out programme sees undergraduates and those in custody apply to work on the same module together – it’s real-life experience. After the course: Expect opportunities in the public sector, journalism, social research, community development, non-governmental organisations and postgraduate study or training. All programmes are designed to incorporate employability skills development alongside your degree course. Our staff utilise their extensive connections to provide many and varied opportunities to engage with potential employers through fairs, guest lecture sessions, live projects and site visits. In addition we offer a series of workshops and events in the first, second and third year that ensure all students are equipped with both degree level subject knowledge PLUS the practical skills that employers are looking for in new graduate recruits. Our award winning careers service works with regional and national employers to advertise graduate positions, in addition to providing post-graduation support for all Teesside University alumni.