Sociology, BA (Hons)

Goldsmiths' BA Sociology programme offers an innovative approach to understanding and addressing societal issues, ranking in the top 10 in the UK for Sociology per QS World University Rankings 2023. Students explore contemporary local and global events, including social inequalities, citizenship, human rights, health impacts of technology, colonialism's legacy, and the climate crisis. Led by pioneering staff, the course emphasizes hands-on research methods, allowing students to develop their own projects in areas like digital capitalism or beauty standards. Opportunities include work placements, interdisciplinary modules, and diverse assessments that build skills in research, critical thinking, and ethics, preparing graduates for careers in public sectors, media, or further studies in related fields.In the first year, core modules cover methods of worldmaking, modern knowledge, and the emergence of sociological imagination. The second year includes philosophy of social science, central issues in analysis, and elective options like law and society or gender and crime. Final-year studies feature a dissertation, climate crisis exploration, and identity theory, alongside optional modules such as globalisation and justice or visual explorations, with assessments varying from essays to presentations.

Year 1 In your first year, you'll take the following compulsory modules: Methods of Worldmaking 1 Modern Knowledge, Modern Power Critical Readings: the Emergence of the Sociological Imagination 1A Culture and Society 1A Critical Readings: the Emergence of the Sociological Imagination 1B Culture and Society 1B Year 2 You will take these compulsory modules: Methods of Worldmaking 2 Philosophy and Methodology of Social Science Central Issues in Sociological Analysis The Goldsmiths Elective You also choose 3 modules of Sociology options. Those recently available have included: Law and Contemporary Society Crimes Against Humanity Social Change and Political Action London Food and Taste Knowledge and Subjectivity Gender, ‘Race’ and Crime Year 3 You will take the following compulsory modules: Dissertation Confronting Climate Crisis Identity and Contemporary Social Theory You'll then take up to 4 optional modules worth 60 credits, which can include a Sociology Work Placement (if not taken in Year 2). Optional modules change on an annual basis, and recent options have included: Race, Racism and Social Theory Law, Identity and Ethics Globalisation, Crime and Justice Crimes of the Powerful Privacy, Surveillance and Security Visual Explorations of the Social World Childhood Matters: Society, Theory and Culture Thinking Animals Migration, Gender and Social Reproduction Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.