Sociology
- Module choices -
Provisional Level 1 Sociology Modules
- Provisional Level 2 Sociology Modules
- Provisional Level 3 Sociology Modules
Sociology is an attempt to understand how society works.
The basic ideas of sociology are:
- that human life is social life, composed of relationships and interaction between people;
- that everything we think or do, and the relationships we form are related to the social groupings within which we live, work and play; and
- that these social groupings can be studied and understood in a systematic fashion.
Sociology is concerned with the relationships between people, with how these relationships form part of the broader sets of relationships between social groups, and with how groups and individuals are related to the wider society. An important aspect of this interest concerns the question of social change and the analysis of those processes which bring about change. The study of society is only part of our concern since it must rest on an analysis of the social behaviour of groups, individuals and organisations.
When confronted by people going about their daily life, those who study sociology ask why they do the things they do, and how and when they came to do them like that. Sociologists don't deny that an individual's biology, needs, wants and desires can be useful in explaining how particular people act but they recognise that what people consider as their needs and wants varies widely within and between societies. Social life is too complex and diverse for it to be a product solely of the voluntary behaviour of each and every individual.
Studying Sociology at Queen's
Sociology is a wide field of study, and it offers many opportunities for specialisation in different areas and topics. Many of these specialisms are taught at Queen's in our second and third year modules. The Department also offers two introductory courses at first year level.
You can take Sociology modules in varying amounts depending on the 'degree path' you follow. Single Honours means that all of your post-first year modules are Sociology modules (but you can opt out of one a year). You can also study Sociology as a Major, Joint Honours or Minor subject (with fewer Sociology modules in each case). The Combined Honours programme allows you (more or less) to choose which Sociology modules you study.
For information on applying to any of the Sociology programmes, please contact the Admissions Office.
