Sociology, BA (Hons)

Course summary

Why study BA Sociology at GoldsmithsOur innovative BA Sociology programme will equip you with the practical tools to understand the world around you, and to think about how to change it for the better.

• You’ll be joining one of the world’s leading sociology departments. We've been rated top 10 in the UK for Sociology in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

• You’ll study contemporary local and global events to explore diverse issues, such as:

How social inequalities operate and how they might be overcomeHow concepts of citizenship and human rights are contestedHow social and technological practices impact healthHow historical processes such as colonialism continue to shape today’s societiesHow the climate crisis requires us to develop new ways of thinking and acting.

• Our staff are specialists and pioneers in their fields. They write the books that are on reading lists across the country, and you’ll be working with them directly.

• We help you to discover the type of sociologist you want to be. You’ll ‘get messy’ with hands-on research methods modules in your first two years of study. In your final year, you’ll design and carry out your own research project based on your own interests. Recent projects ranged from Social Influencers as Digital Capitalists, to Conventional Beauty Standards and Black Women’s Hair Practices.

• You'll also have the opportunity to do a work placement and to take a module in another department.

• Diversified assessments will support you to consolidate your learning, and develop transferable skills. You’ll explore research design, data analysis, critical thinking, project management, working with others, and tackling inequalities knowledgeably and ethically, giving you an understanding of what it means to be a sociologist.

• The skills and the knowledge you gain during your degree will enable you to pursue a diverse range of careers. You’ll have transferrable skills that could allow you to work in the public and voluntary sector, the culture and media industries, marketing and corporate communications, arts administration, social research, and teaching. You’ll also be well-equipped to undertake postgraduate study in sociology, media, cultural studies, human rights, and related fields.

Modules

Year 1In 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 1BYear 2You 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 CrimeYear 3You 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 ReproductionPlease note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Assessment method

You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, extended essays, reports, presentations, practice-based projects or essays/logs, group projects, reflective essays, and seen and unseen written examinations.

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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.