First Year

Semester 1

SOCI1514 Introduction to Sociology - 16 credits

The overall purpose of this module is to introduce students to the subject. In this module, students will be introduced to the sociological imagination and how they can exercise it to understand and study social phenomena. Themes such as the following will be dealt with: the sociological perspective and social theory, social research skills, culture, socialisation, social stratification, race and ethnicity.                                                            

Semester 2

SOCI1624 Social Institutions and Social Change - 16 credits

In this module, students will be introduced to the complex interaction between stability and change.  Various institution, such as the political institution, family and economic institutions, will be scrutinised from a sociological perspective, enabling students to analyse different social institutions. In addition, the ever-changing character of society will be examined, allowing students to comprehend the dynamics of social change.

Second Year

Semester 1 

SOCS2614 The Sociology of Social Movements and Collective Behaviour  - 16 credits

South Africa is a country in constant flux, with our history and contemporary reality being shaped by collective behaviour and social movements. This module approaches the subject matter from a sociological perspective.  The module aims to help students understand the nature of collective behaviour in general, and service delivery protests in particular.   OR

SOCF2614 The Sociology of the Family and Domestic Life - 16 credits

We all form part of family networks, and families are an important societal institution. With the incredible diversity in family and domestic arrangements and the impact that this institution has on the well-being of members, it forms an exciting field of study within Sociology. The main aim of this module is to provide students with a conceptual framework for the analysis of family and domestic life and to enable students to analyse the family from a sociological perspective.

Semester 2 

SOCL2624 Industrial Sociology - 16 credits

Since work is a central activity of human societies, an understanding of work from a variety of perspectives forms an integral part of academic teaching. This module approaches the subject matter – the world of work – from a sociological perspective. Both the interaction of people within industry, as well as the impact of industrialisation on individuals and societies, are studied. OR

SOCP2624 The Population-Environment-Development Interface - 16 credits

This module explores the relationship between the social and natural environment, and more specifically, those facets of human interaction that disturb the balance of this relationship, contributing to an ecological crisis. This module examines environmental issues, population growth and movement, as well as the implications that demographic, justice, and environmental issues have for Southern Africa’s developmental trajectory.

Third Year

Semester 1

SOCT3718  Sociological Theory - 32 credits

A firm grasp of social theory constitutes the cornerstone of Sociology. Although Sociology students are exposed to theory from their first year of study, this module solidifies their grasp of the building blocks of Sociology. It focuses explicitly on applying these theories to real-life contexts and occurrences. This module uses a paradigmatic approach to expose students to a variety of theories that strive to explain the social world. It is an ideal precursor to the second-semester module that deals with research methodologies, as it explains the ontological and epistemological features of theoretical (and ultimately methodological) underpinnings. 

Semester 2

SOCR3728 Social Research and Practice - 32 credits

The overarching aim of this module is to acquaint students with the theoretical and practical aspects of empirical social research. More specifically, the aim is to guide students through the various phases of the research process to enable them to compile a proposal or social research report to communicate research findings. With the insights gained in this course, the student will be equipped to read other research reports critically and with understanding and will be able to undertake a basic social research project. Although the module mainly focuses on quantitative research designs and methodologies, students are also introduced to basic aspects of qualitative research designs. 

First Year

Semester 1

SOCI1514 Introduction to Sociology - 16 credits

The overall purpose of this module is to introduce students to the subject. In this module, students will be introduced to the sociological imagination and how they can exercise it to understand and study social phenomena. Themes such as the following will be dealt with: the sociological perspective and social theory, social research skills, culture, socialisation, social stratification, race and ethnicity.                                                            

Semester 2

SOCI1624 Social Institutions and Social Change - 16 credits

In this module, students will be introduced to the complex interaction between stability and change.  Various institutions, such as the political institution, family and economic institution, will be scrutinised from a sociological perspective, enabling students to analyse different social institutions. In addition, the ever-changing character of society will be examined, allowing students to comprehend the dynamics of social change.

Second Year

Semester 1  

SOCD2614 Sociology of Developing Societies - 16 credits

This module examines the role of development in society, especially in a globalised world. Themes cover perspectives on how countries have tried to attain their development goals. Topics include defining the concept of development; modernisation theory of development; theories of underdevelopment; and micro-foundations for development thinking.

Semester 2 

SOCP2624 The Population and Environment Interface - 16 credits

 

This module explores the relationship between the social and natural environment, and more specifically, those facets of human interaction that disturb the balance of this relationship, contributing to an ecological crisis. This module examines environmental issues, population growth and movement, as well as the implications that demographic, justice, and environmental issues have for Southern Africa’s developmental trajectory.

 

Third Year

Semester 1

SOCT3718 Sociological Theory - 32 credits

A firm grasp on social theory constitutes the cornerstone of Sociology. Although Sociology students are exposed to theory from their first year of study, this module solidifies their grasp of the building blocks of Sociology and focuses explicitly on the application of these theories to real-life contexts and occurrences. This module uses a paradigmatic approach to expose students to a variety of theories that strive towards explaining the social world. It is an ideal precursor to the second semester module that deals with research methodologies, as it explains the ontological and epistemological features of theoretical (and ultimately of methodological) underpinnings.

Semester 2

SOCR3728 Social Research and Practice - 32 credits

The overarching aim of this module is to acquaint students with the theoretical and practical aspects of empirical social research. More specifically, the aim is to guide students through the various phases of the research process to enable them to compile a proposal or social research report to communicate research findings. With the insights gained in this course, the student will be equipped to read other research reports critically and with understanding and will be able to undertake a basic social research project. Although the module mainly focuses on quantitative research designs and methodologies, students are also introduced to basic aspects of qualitative research designs.