SOC 101:Sociology - Part I Courses - Undergraduate -Sociology at Lancaster University

SOCL101: Introduction to Sociology

The world is social. It looks 'natural' only as long as we refrain from looking closely at its structures, practices and ideologies. Sociology is a way of thinking that draws interdependencies, opportunities and challenges into view and through analysis supports constructive action.

Sociology at Lancaster is renowned for its innovative interdisciplinary research and teaching. Our insights influence policy, technology design and everyday life through collaborations with politicians, designers, scientists, engineers and members of the public. Gender studies, Mobilities Research, and Science and Technology Studies have forged links with Unesco, Foresight, the European Commission and many other drivers of socio-technical change. We invite you to join us in informing change in today's society.

Course Aims and Learning Outcomes

The Sociology 101 Course introduces you to sociological issues, ideas, concepts, evidence and argument by examining some key aspects of living in the contemporary world. By the end of the course, you should have a basic capacity for conceptual analysis and for applying sociological reasoning to empirical examples. This will allow you to evaluate what you see around you with new critical skills. The lectures are designed to provide you with a basic background in the topics being reviewed. You will be introduced to debates and issues related to various aspects of contemporary societies and encouraged to explore ideas and undertake analysis. In this respect, it is perhaps better to think of sociology as an interpretative scientific endeavour rather than producing definitive findings or laws, although it may do this too. Sociology is an exciting subject. It can seem confusing, especially to those of you who are coming to it for the first time. Sociology will seem to cover every topic in society, there are different kinds of sociology, and many different areas where sociological research matters, from politics to design . We will help you develop new skills in thinking sociologically. The course will stimulate interest for students who have not done an Advanced Level course in Sociology, whilst providing a challenge to those who have.

More specifically, the course's aims are threefold. First, you will learn about various aspects of contemporary societies and key concepts (e.g. society, identity, modernity, globalization). Each block introduces a key area of sociological inquiry and long-standing as well as newly emerging research questions. Many sociologists at Lancaster are renowned for their creative and groundbreaking research and each module relates to one or more of the Department's research areas, so you will experience major figures in international Sociology and get a taste of the department's current teaching and research portfolio. Second, you will learn basic study and research skills. These include: taking notes, using the library, conducting sociological research, analysing written and spoken arguments and empirical evidence, writing, using the internet as a research tool, working and discussing in groups, preparing and making oral presentations. Third, you will learn to think sociologically. That is to say that you will be able to identify social dimensions of contemporary life, summarise sociological ideas and arguments, and analyse social phenomena from a sociological perspective. In short, you will begin to think differently about how we lead our lives in the present day world.

Director Monika Buscher says:

Photo of Monika Buscher

"Sociological thinking is an adventure in self-understanding and moral reflection as well as systemic analysis. Craig Calhoun 2001 C. Wright Mills, a well known Sociologist wrote about the promise of Sociology to awaken the consciousness of individuals and to grasp their lives within society and the transformative power of history. The promise of Sociology he said, would enliven our 'capacity for astonishment.. acquire a new way of thinking, ...and experience a transvaluation of values'. We hope here in Lancaster, students will experience that as they step into Part 1 Sociology.

Key Facts

Length: 25 weeks

Course Structure: The course is divided into five blocks and taught over three terms via:

Lectures: One two-hour lecture per week
Seminars: One 50 minute seminar per week which will provide provide links between lectures, readings and assignments
Independent learning:It is expected that you spend at least 10 hours of independent learning on Sociology 101 per week. (Individual help can also be provided during your seminar tutor's office hours)

Assessment: Is from a combination of coursework and formal examinations and is weighted at 60% for coursework and 40% for the exam.

Admissions Contact: Sociology Admissions

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SOCL101: Introduction to Sociology

Course Aims and Learning Outcomes

Director Monika Buscher says:

Key Facts