Education & Social Sciences

Sociology, Social Work, and Criminology - Sociology Learning Objectives

 
A Manchester University student graduating with a major in sociology will be able to study, understand, discuss, and apply the following:

The discipline of sociology

  • explain how it differs from and is similar to the other social sciences
  • discuss the contributions of sociology to a liberal arts education
  • apply the sociological imagination to her/his own life

The role of theory

  • define theory and explain its role in building sociological knowledge
  • compare and contrast basic theoretical orientations
  • show how theories reflect the historical and cultural contexts in which they were developed
  • describe and apply some basic theories and/or theoretical orientations to at least one aspect of society

The role of evidence and qualitative and quantitative methods in sociology

  • identify major methodological approaches and explain the role of methods in building sociological knowledge
  • compare and contrast the basic methodological approaches for gathering and analyzing data
  • design a research study in a chosen area and explain why various decisions were made
  • critically assess a published report and suggest how the study might have been improved

Basic concepts in sociology

  • define, give examples, and demonstrate the relevance of these basic concepts: culture, social structure, social institution, status and role, socialization, deviance and social control, social stratification, social change

The relationships between individuals and society

  • explain sociologically the development of the self and how social factors influence individual behaviors, attitudes and values
  • explain how individuals, groups and organizations influence society
  • distinguish sociological approaches to understanding the self from psychological, economic, and other approaches