Page 189 - SYU Prospectus

Sociology

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Department of Sociology

Sociology is the objective study of social interaction, taking into account the fact that
people live in groups. Sociologists are concerned with investigating the structure of groups,
organizations, and societies, and how these various structures influence social interaction.
Consequently, the subject matter of sociology can range from the study of family life to mob
behaviour, from religious cults to organized crime, from work to leisure, and from the study of
social divisions created by racial prejudice to shared beliefs that form the basis of a common
culture. As a result, the perspectives and research techniques used by sociologists are
sufficiently wide-ranging that they can be applied to almost any area of social life.

The Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours in Sociology Degree programme is
designed to provide students with a solid grounding in basic sociological theory, research
methods, and a variety of topics of interest to sociologists. Consequently, teaching and learning
proceed along three lines, namely, along theoretical, methodological, and substantive lines.
These three lines are equally emphasized, and within each critical analysis and application of
existing knowledge are emphasized. The courses in each line are classified into compulsory
and elective subjects.

The Degree programme has been designed to provide students with considerable choice
and flexibility in selecting courses. This will enable students to put together a curriculum tailored
to their individual interests/needs and achieve learning outcomes that suit their future career
goals. The total number of credits required for graduation is 124. Over 60 percent of the credits
are obtained from courses within the Department of Sociology. The remaining credits come
from courses that cover such diverse subjects as law, psychology, economics, cultural studies,
business administration, information technology, and general education. Students of the
Degree programme are trained to be well-balanced, mature, articulate, critical yet innovative
individuals with a good understanding of Chinese and Western societies in an increasingly
globalized world.

Sociology is an expanding field of study whose potential is increasingly being recognized
by those who are responsible for the formulation of social policy and the creation of social
intervention programmes. Sociology graduates are competitive in the job market, and found in
such areas as personnel management, market research, government service, banking, social
welfare and education. They are also intellectually prepared to pursue further studies in a
variety of post-graduate programmes.

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