Why Study Sociology?
Studying Sociology at the undergraduate level
Sociology is the study of social life, focused particularly on how social groups, institutions and societies develop and change. As Anthony Giddens (1989, pp. 7-8) writes, the scope of sociology ranges from the analysis of ‘passing encounters between individuals in the street up to the investigation of global processes’. Since sociology involves the study of all types of social relations, its scope is very broad. Sociologists teach and research on topics as varied as: what would a fairer welfare system look like; how are families changing; how do social movements mobilise; and why, do the wealthy attend the opera?
Studying Sociology is essential for those interested in pursuing employment in social research, but sociology attracts many other students who are interested in an in-depth understanding of contemporary society. Sociology combines well with studies in law, economics, psychology, human resources management, education, philosophy, political science and human geography.
What can you do with Sociology after university?
Sociology at Macquarie provides its students with knowledge and skills that are academically rigorous, socially meaningful and vocationally relevant. People with sociology backgrounds hold jobs in a wide range of areas: government and public policy; social policy and social work; social planning and social impact analysis; and industrial relations. Others work in management and human resource management while still others are active in unions and non-government organisations.
Some students proceed to postgraduate research in sociology, and eventually onto teaching and researching in sociology.
How can you study Sociology at Macquarie?
All undergraduate students can enrol in units in Sociology. Some do so as part of their Bachelor of Creative Arts degree and others as part of Bachelor of Social Science degree.
At 100-Level, SOC 175: Australian and Global Societies, focused on Australian society and SOC 180: Sociology of Everyday Life focused on the study of everyday life, both offer a general introduction to sociology. For students wishing to major in Sociology, enrolment in both courses is advised, but enrolment in either course will be a sufficient pre-requisite for studying Sociology at 200 and 300-level units.
At 200-Level, students are invited to particular areas of social life and, along the way, engage with social theories and research methods in more detail. Units variously look at: the role of social policy in contemporary Australia, the sociology of media, work and employment, problems of difference and social solidarity, the sociology of art, and sociology of the future.
The Department also offers a course in social research methods, SOC 234: Methods in Social Research, which is workshop-focused, and allows students to gain practical experience in qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research.
The 300-Level units offer deep explorations of a specific topic or a particular approach in contemporary sociology. Topics vary from year to year. Currently, 300- level units consider topics including: globalisation, contemporary sociological theory, social movements, metropolitan lifestyles, understanding crime; human services, the intimate sphere and the public sphere. A new course on quantitative social research methods is planned for 2007.
To help structure your learning, Macquarie Sociology concentrates its undergraduate program around four key themes or pathways:
- Theory and Method
- Culture and Everyday Life
- Policy and Public Life
- Social Actors and Social Change
Honours
Honours offers students an additional year of intensive small-group study in sociological theory and methods, and the chance to do their own research as part of their Honours thesis. For more information, contact Eduardo de la Fuente or visit the Honours page.