In broad terms, Sociology seeks to understand the relationship between individual people and the wider cultural and institutional contexts within which they live. Eminent Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu defines it better, however, as "a science that makes trouble". In other words, Sociology is not just about making sense of social and cultural systems but about transformative social change, drawing upon rigorous and systematic study of salient social issues to challenge inequalities and to inform the development of effective, evidence-based policy and practice.The degree is wide-ranging, with a focus on applying knowledge and theory to real-life situations. Studying Sociology at Durham is about sharing a common enthusiasm for exploring how human beings behave, think and feel within social settings and about using that knowledge to produce meaningful positive change in the world.The degree is based on a modular structure, you will be required to take the equivalent of six modules (some of which may be ‘double modules’) within each year of study. Over the course of the degree, modules become increasingly focused on specialist topics and issues, with the chance to undertake a sociological research project on a specific topic of substantive interest in the final year of study.**Year 1**You will develop knowledge and understanding of foundational concepts and issues in Sociology and sociological research, as a platform for study in Years 2 and 3.**Compulsory modules:**Classical Sociological TheoryCritical Scholarship in the Social SciencesSocial Research MethodsSocieties in Transition.**Optional module:**Any open module to the value of 20 credits offered elsewhere in the Department or by another Board of Studies, including appropriate credit-bearing language modules offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study.**Year 2**You will develop your understanding of key issues in sociological theory and research, building on work completed during the first year of study. You will also begin to study in detail various topics of substantive sociological relevance that relate to the Department’s major research themes.Compulsory modules: Modern and Contemporary Sociological Theory / Research Methods in Action.Optional modules: Communities and Social Justice / Contemporary Criminological Theory / Identity and Transgression / Police and Policing / Sociological Approaches to Violence and Abuse / Sociology of EducationAny open module to the value of 20 credits offered elsewhere in the Department or by another Board of Studies, including appropriate credit-bearing language modules offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study.**Year 3**In the final year of study, you will focus on detailed critical analysis and evaluation of salient social issues drawing upon conceptual knowledge and understanding developed over the previous two years of study. You will also undertake an independent research project related to a specific area of sociological interest through your dissertation thesis.Compulsory module: Dissertation.Optional modules: Community Placement / Crime, Justice and the Sex Industry / Cyberculture and Cybercrime / Drugs, Crime and Society / Social Policy / Sociology of Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation / Sociology of Health and Medicine / Sociology of Work and Professions / Rural Studies and Social Policy / Young People, Crime and Justice**Study Abroad**We are part of the ERASMUS programme which encourages students to study for part of their course in a university of another EU country.We currently have links with the universities of Helsinki in Finland and Duisburg-Essen in Germany. Students can also apply to the university-wide international exchange programme with universities in North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand

School of Applied Social Sciences