Course summary

Explore new and creative ways to tackle key social challenges. Learn theory and methods to understand, critically examine, and influence organisations. This course will appeal if you want to combine an understanding of the social world from different perspectives with a rigorous analysis of policy responses to social problems. You will examine theory and techniques from sociology alongside the analytical focus of social policy. You’ll explore areas such as health, welfare and poverty, race and discrimination, inequality and exclusion. By the end of the course, you’ll have an understanding of how social institutions develop and operate and how they might be improved. In Year 1, you'll be introduced to social theory, ideas about the state and social change, and the central traditions of social research. You’ll select an option in either criminology or international development. In Year 2, you'll expand and deepen your understanding of contemporary social theory. You will explore the political processes that underpin policy-making practices and develop data analysis techniques. You’ll choose from a range of options in sociology, social policy, criminology and international development. In your final year, you'll do your dissertation. This will demonstrate the knowledge and skills you’ll develop. You'll also choose from a range of optional units from across the social sciences. These will allow you to build upon the theoretical understanding you’ll gain during Years 1 and 2 and apply it to contemporary sociological issues. The flexibility of this course will allow you to create a degree that’s tailored to your interests and potential future career.