Sociology
Sociology engages with central dimensions of life in contemporary societies, from transformations in the life course, contemporary families, gender relations, ethnic, racial and sexual identity, and the body, through to media, new technologies, and globalization. It also engages with emerging patterns of social inequality and new forms of social problems, and the ways in which people and societies confront these new challenges. Sociology also explores emerging questions of action and identity - from new social movements to subcultures to forms of action evident in contemporary social transformations.
Studying sociology at The University of Melbourne provides students with a strong grounding in core areas of the discipline. Key subjects such as "Understanding Society", "Social Science Research Methods", and "Contemporary Sociological Theory" provide students with knowledge of key issues, approaches and debates in the discipline. Subjects are also offered in a more specific range of cutting edge areas including the body, risk, terrorism, youth, and media, while students also have the opportunity to take related subjects from other disciplines as part of a major in sociology. We also offer a popular internship program, in which students have the opportunity to apply the skills they have learnt to real life organisational contexts. A key feature of the subjects offered in the sociology major is that staff are teaching in areas which they have expertise, meaning students have access to the latest innovations in particular areas from leading researchers and teachers in those areas. As well as having a theoretically informed and practically grounded understanding of society and social relations in local, national and global contexts, students graduating with a major in sociology will have developed skills in areas including critical thinking, and in conducting research, interpreting data, writing reports and making verbal presentations. As such, graduates in sociology go on to exciting careers in a wide range of areas where research and critical thinking skills, and a capacity to see the big picture, are required, including employment in the community, government, business, publishing and media, social services, health services and education sectors.At the Undergraduate level students can take a major in Sociology.
At the Graduate level, students are able to take a Graduate and Postgraduate Certificate or Graduate and Postgraduate Diploma in Sociology
An Honours program is also available in Sociology.
At the Graduate level, students are also able to study for a Master of Social Policy (coursework only, or coursework and thesis), a degree that brings together sociology and social policy to create an innovative curriculum that reflects cutting edge theory and practice relevant to a number of fields of professional practice.