Sociology with Foundation Year

Studying our Sociology degree will allow you to develop a range of contemporary applied skills required for jobs in the public and private sectors, which focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). These new and expanding professional career fields require graduates who: • understand a range of ethical concerns • have practical social research skills • are aware of pressing social sustainability concerns. On this BSc (Hons) Sociology course, you will engage with all these highly prized areas of knowledge and be equipped to be in an ideal position for the fast-changing requirements of the modern employment market. This also means becoming a practitioner for the digital age where you are comfortable engaging with new technologies, including social media platforms and AI. Additionally, you will learn how to use these new mediums to facilitate and engage communities, local and global, to help resolve social problems.

What you'll study This contemporary Sociology course will explore the ways in which society is changing and the impact that these changes have on all of us, as individuals and in our communities. Topics covered will include: • the role of social media in shaping social norms, attitudes, and behaviours • the emergence and evolution of online communities, including the significance of gaming and influencers • up-to-date studies in gender, ‘race’ and social class. Decolonised methods will also be an important part of this contemporary sociology degree. This means that when you undertake social research you will draw upon, and be sensitive to, the experiences and perspectives of marginalised communities, whether based on ethnicity, religion, sexuality, neurodiversity, gender, or any other social difference. Such awareness will be applied to address real-world problems and promote social change. These approaches will be embedded in this course by incorporating readings and case studies that highlight the experiences and perspectives of people from diverse backgrounds. Modules will encourage students to debate and discuss these issues in an open and safe environment. We will use classroom discussions and activities to explore how sociological knowledge can be used to promote social justice and equity by developing a nuanced and critical understanding of social issues away from the often one-sided views of public commentators. The most important aspect of our learning together is to understand how to think through social issues and problems not just what to think in a one-dimensional way.

The foundation year course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to continue onto your Honours degree. You will study a range of subjects that will underpin your future study and also gain valuable experience of university life, with full access to campus facilities. Successful completion of the year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course.