Sociology Program
Why Study Sociology?
The purpose of sociology is to gain a scientific understanding of how the social world works. Sociologists research everything from how people form identities (micro sociology) to how social structures change over time (macro sociology) and confer opportunities and/or constraints on social activity (meso sociology). As a social science, sociologists rely on systematic quantitative and qualitative methods for collecting and analyzing data.
Sociology is made up of various subfields: social inequality; race and ethnicity; sex, gender, and sexuality; health and illness; politics and social movements; migration and refugees; religion; family; work and the economy; organizations; technology, sociological theory, etc.
If you are interested in learning how to design, conduct, and understand social scientific research, sociology may be for you.
The Saint Mary’s approach
Our sociology programme focuses on providing students with a foundation in social scientific research methods. Students learn how to design, conduct, and consume quantitative and qualitative research, while also learning what sociologists have discovered about the social world.
Sample Courses Offered
- Introductory Sociology
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Sociology of Ethnic Conflict
- Social Movements
- Body and Society
- Women, Gender, and Development
- Social Inequality and Justice
- Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory
- Society as Drama
- Fascism and the Far Right
- Society and the Environment
Future career opportunities:
- Social scientist (government, corporate, NGO)
- Policy analyst
- Urban planner
- Journalist/Writer
- Social worker
- Entrepreneur
- World changer