Welcome to the Sociology Department

Sociology is the study of people in society. Everybody is part of society. Importantly, this society has helped to shape who you are and your experiences in life so far. But how much about it do you understand?

There is, perhaps, more of a need than ever to understand the world we live in. Just think about the endless public debate there is on issues such as the high crime rates in our inner cities, boys’ underachievement in school, the effects of divorce on children, racism and the police, the effects of the media on violent behaviour ....... and so many more. They are the subject matter of countless views and opinions, many of which may be ill-informed or prejudiced. Many views are expressed simply from personal (and often very limited) experience.

This is where Sociology comes in - because they are all SOCIAL issues. The literal meaning of the word ‘Sociology’ is the ‘science of society’. The interaction of people, ourselves, as members of society is what Sociology is about. Social events and changes do not occur by accident. Sociology attempts to bring a systematic understanding to our knowledge of what goes on around us - locally, nationally and even internationally.