This interactive course will provide you with an engaging and effective introduction to Sociology. You will explore a range of key themes, including; socialisation, culture and identity, social differentiation and power and stratification, through studying many aspects of social life. You will develop skills valued by higher education (HE) and employers, including critical analysis, independent thinking and research.

In year 1 there is a compulsory element of study which includes ‘Education with Theory and Methods’, requiring you to study the impact of subcultures on educational attainment. Additionally, you will develop an understanding of how research is conducted by sociologists. Also, in year 1 you will study ‘Culture and Identity’; including sub and mass cultures, identity such as ethnicity, gender, and sexuality.

The second year will include the study of ‘Crime and Deviance’; this will examine the role of the Criminal Justice System and its surveillance, prevention and punishment of criminals in contemporary society. Additionally, the course will include the study of ‘the Mass Media’, including the role of the media in modern society.

Sociology is the study of trends of behaviour in society. Sociology is relevant to everyday life, this allows students to relate to and engage with the subject immediately with no requirement to have studied it before. Throughout the course you will be given to opportunity to carry out your own small scale research studies, this will encourage the development of critical and reflective skills and foster a respect of social diversity, which are valuable attributes to take to higher education and future employment.