Sociology

You will benefit from being taught by staff who are experts in their fields. All staff who teach the course are research active and many deliver research-informed teaching. You will learn about cutting-edge and world-changing research.

Our sociology staff are also committed to promoting social justice and work in practical ways to encourage real-world change. One of our sociologists is involved in the Northern Rail Accessibility User group. This works to make rail travel more accessible for disabled people.

Our course leader in sociology, Dr Megan Todd, has recently co-developed an anti-discrimination toolkit for tackling online abuse directed at LGBTQ+ communities. Sociology lecturer, Dr. Stefano Barone, has written and published about underground music in Tunisia (North-Africa), looking at how local music scenes in the country were affected by the Arab Uprisings of 2010/2011, and is currently working on a documentary narrating the struggles of young Italian migrants settling in Preston.

Staff specialisms cover a range of areas including:

• the study of violence in society
• sociological understandings of gender and sexuality
• the sociology of religion
• policing, surveillance, and cybercrime
• youth studies
• the sociology of popular culture and popular music
• the sociology of migration, childhood, social movements
• health and disability

Many of our research staff contribute to discussions and debates in the policy and public sphere and in the media. For example, Dr Megan Todd has appeared in a Fixers production for Granada TV on girls in sport, as well as speaking on BBC Radio Lancashire.

Teaching on our programme combines an exciting mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical sessions. You will be expected to engage in a lot of independent study.

Our assessment methods provide skills and knowledge to help you become more employable. These include essays, presentations, debates, reports, learning diaries and portfolios.

You have the opportunity to apply what you learn in the classroom to the real world. You can undertake our work placement module delivered by our specialist staff. Past students have undergone placements working at schools, colleges, working with youth groups, leading cadets, and in charitable organisations such as Disability Equality Northwest.

You will gain insights into real-world research and how social scientists investigate the world around us. You’ll have the flexibility to develop your own research interests and this will be reflected in your final-year dissertation.

You will get to choose your own dissertation topic. Past students have examined issues as varied and topical as:

• children’s agency in contemporary families
• human trafficking
• the impact of ‘50 shades of grey’ on contemporary attitudes towards intimate relationships
• ‘race’ and racism in contemporary British society
• domestic violence and state violence
• sexual identity
• the impact of social networking on society
• the impact of the media on body image
• disability discrimination

You'll get the opportunity to go on many field trips. Trips that we have previously taken include the National Media Museum in Bradford, the People’s History Museum in Manchester and even Auschwitz to learn about the concentration camps.

Another highlight is the chance to study abroad at one of our partner universities. We have a worldwide exchange network. During your second year, you could spend between three months and one year at an institution in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, or most European countries.

There’s a great sense of community amongst our Sociology students. You’ll get plenty of opportunities to socialise in between your studies.

Our Sociology degree includes an optional work placement module. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get practical experience in the field(s) you’re interested in.

We make the most of our many charity and industry links. We’ve developed employability and community links all over the UK.

This means that you’ll get to engage with employers, community groups, professionals and practitioners from a wide range of groundbreaking organisations.

We have working partnerships with organisations including the NHS, Lancashire Constabulary, Armed Services, Criminal Justice system, multi-faith communities, non-government organisations, third sector providers, schools and colleges, local councils, social services, the Probation Trust, and equality and diversity practitioners.

Our Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership (CVCL) enables you to get involved in projects which make a positive difference. They offer a range of volunteering projects in the UK and internationally so you’re bound to find something that inspires you.

We encourage you to take part in ‘real world’ learning throughout your course. CVCL enables you to get involved in a wide range of local, national and international community projects. They offer some second and third-year modules accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).