Course summary

Are we living in a ‘broken society’? What new forms of cultural identity are emerging? What are the effects of globalisation on cultural, economic and political life? Answering questions such as these is the challenge of our era. Studying Sociology at Birmingham will provide you with the toolkit to form your own critical judgements on social changes reshaping the world today. In addition to the 'big picture' social theories we place a strong emphasis on developing social science research skills - so valued by employers - with research methods training in each year. This culminates in a final year dissertation where you research and write an extended piece on a topic of your own choice, with the support of an expert supervisor. This course provides the knowledge and skills to critically engage issues such as globalisation, the changing nature of work and the family, gender roles and sexuality, multiculturalism, the impact of the media and information technologies, and new forms of politics. You will be given a broad grounding in the major approaches to the discipline, with emphasis on the cultivation of research skills. Your degree will culminate in a dissertation on a topic of your choice. This reflects our view that you should be doing Sociology, not just reading about it, from the very start of your degree. Why Sociology at Birmingham? As a Birmingham Sociology graduate you will be well equipped for your chosen career or further study. In particular you will have gained:

• Critical ability – to read, absorb and assess complex ideas and arguments about the contemporary world

• Research skills – practical experience of designing and conducting research, including interviews, questionnaires and developing core skills to understand information

• Presentational skills – to present your ideas and research in appropriate formats

• The capacity to work alone or in groups – you will have gained experience of independent study and research as well as working, solving problems and debating ideas with others