To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the degree in which you are enrolled:

A student may complete a major sequence of 36 units in Sociology by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) and two Year 3 topics (9 units) plus two additional topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below.


A student may complete a minor sequence of 22.5 units in Sociology by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) plus an additional topic (4.5 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below.

A student may complete an extended major sequence in Sociology by completing the prescribed major topics (36 units), plus an additional two topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed below.

An extended major in Sociology is not available to students enrolled in the double Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Course aims

The aims of a major in Sociology are for students to: 

  • apply sociological reasoning in understanding social life
  • comprehend core concepts and theories within sociology
  • examine the relationships between individuals, groups and society
  • appreciate the social processes associated with social change, social inequality and social conflict analyse a range of social evidence acknowledging the appropriateness of different research collection methods
  • understand the ethical requirements involved in conducting social research
  • identify the relevance of sociological knowledge for informing social and public policy.   

Learning outcomes

Following successful completion of a major in Sociology students will be able to:

  • identify key structural factors that shape the social world
  • comprehend social change through classical and contemporary sociological approaches
  • place personal and local issues in a larger societal context, in particular understanding the influence of social class, ethnicity, gender, capitalism, individualisation, nationalism and globalisation.
  • explain how social problems are created and appreciate how social order is maintained and challenged
  • develop a research question around a subject of interest and conduct an analysis of relevant data
  • understand professional ethical norms and debates about conducting social research and safeguarding human subjects from harm
  • argue for the role of sociology and social research in addressing social problems.

Program of study

The following is the program of study for a 36 unit major sequence in Sociology and should be read in conjunction with the course rule for the degree in which you are enrolled.

Major - Sociology

Core - Year 1 topics

9 units comprising:

 SOCI1001  Issues in Sociology  (4.5 units)
 SOCI1010  Sociology of Everyday Life  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

9 units comprising:

 SOCI2002  Love, Death and Power: An Introduction to Classical Social Theory  (4.5 units)
 SOCI2025  Sociological Research: Design, Methods and Ethics  (4.5 units)

plus select 4.5 units from the year 2 & 3 Option topics listed below.

Core - Year 3 topics

9 units comprising

 SOCI3008  Knowing the Social World  (4.5 units)
 SOCI3009  Society in Question: Adventures in Contemporary Social Theory (4.5 units)

plus select 4.5 units from the year 2 & 3 Option topics listed below.

Option - Year 2 and 3 topics

 SOCI2004  Sociology of Work and Organisations  (4.5 units)
 SOCI2015  Sociology of Deviance  (4.5 units)
 SOCI2018  Cultural Sociology  (4.5 units)
 SOCI2021  Race, Power and Identity  (4.5 units)
 SOCI2022  Sociology of Intimacy  (4.5 units)
 SOCI2023  Animals, Nature, Environment and Society  (4.5 units)
 SOCI2024  Myth, Ideology and Utopia  (4.5 units)
 SOCI2026  Contemporary Social Problems  (4.5 units)
 SOCI3047  Shaping the Future  (4.5 units)
 SOCI3048  Gender and Sexuality  (4.5 units)
 SOCI3049  Sociology of Law  (4.5 units)
 SOCI3050  Globalisation  (4.5 units)
 SOCI3051  Families and Social Policy  (4.5 units)
 SOCI3052  Sociology of Art, Media and Culture  (4.5 units)
 SOCI3053  Economic Life  (4.5 units)
 WORK3200  Social & Policy Studies Workplace Research Project  (4.5 units)

Honours

Refer to Honours - Sociology