Explore Sociology
Sociology examines social institutions, inequality and collective life. This subject guide introduces the questions, methods and practical work that help learners understand the field before choosing a formal course of study.
A strong starting point is to connect social theory with qualitative methods. The first develops a foundation for reasoning; the second provides a setting in which to test ideas. Keep a learning journal that records assumptions, sources and questions that remain unresolved.
Four areas to investigate
Social theory
Connect social theory to the study of social institutions, inequality and collective life. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Qualitative methods
Connect qualitative methods to the study of social institutions, inequality and collective life. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Social stratification
Connect social stratification to the study of social institutions, inequality and collective life. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Urban sociology
Connect urban sociology to the study of social institutions, inequality and collective life. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Learn through inquiry
Compare how two communities describe access to public space using a documented coding scheme.
Begin with a question narrow enough to investigate. Decide what evidence would support an answer, document the method and explain what further work would be needed.