MSc Sociology

Examine the ways in which societies, cultures, institutions and practices are formed, organised and constituted, and how they are changing.

The MSc Sociology will enable you to gain an advanced and critical understanding of how to apply sociological theories and perspectives to contemporary issues and social transformations. Through a range of engaging learning approaches, you will be invited to explore the interrelationships of power, social divisions, social diversity and social inequality and their application to social action and public sociology.

To do this, the course draws directly on active research specialisms in the Department of Sociology (gender, violence and abuse; health and social theory; education and social inequalities; and communities and social justice). This is supported by developing your own advanced understanding and application of approaches to researching these topics, including the methodological, epistemological and ethical issues inherent in sociological research, activism and public engagement in contemporary societies.

Core modules:

The MSc is underpinned by three core modules as follows:

• Public Sociology: Theory and Practice (30 credits)
• Researching Society, Policy and Practice (15 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits) – 15,000 word dissertation based on a supervised research project.

The MSc Sociology is also grounded in the core research themes associated with the Department of Sociology, along with related areas of research expertise. The following indicative optional modules are listed below and you will be required to take at least one of them during your study, out of those available in that year:

• Gender Violence and Abuse (30 credits)
• Social Policy and Society (30 credits)
• Communities, Civil Society and Social Justice (30 credits)
• Education and Social Inequality (30 credits)
• Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine (30 credits)

Depending on the number of these options taken, you may also choose from a range of optional modules available within the department, which have included in the past those covering topics such as:

• Participatory Action Research (15 credits)
• Intermediate Statistics for Social Science Research (15 credits)
• Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Social Science Research (15 credits)
• Quantitative Methods and Analysis (15 credits)
• Qualitative Methods and Analysis (15 credits)
• Prisons Crime and Justice (30 credits)

The MSc also offers you the option to undertake a 15 credit placement module.

Academic learning is assessed through a range of assignments, including summative essays, statistical/computer-based projects, research proposals, and a dissertation.