Sociology Joint Major (SOJ1)

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The BA sociology degree provides students with an understanding and explanation of social relations, social institutions and social processes. It develops the sociological imagination enabling students to understand the connection between personal experience and wider social relationships.



We value critical reflection and analysis of the social world that draws upon various theoretical and evidence based research approaches that facilitate an understanding of the complexities and dynamics underpinning past, present social processes and future trends and developments.   



The School of sociology provides a learning environment in which individual and small group learning fosters the development of critical, analytical skills. The focus is on analyzing small-scale and large-scale social processes. The School encourages critical thinking, research, and the development of communication skills, and independent learning. The School contains a diverse student body in which inter- and cross-disciplinary environments and pluralism is encouraged.



The School provides a broad range of teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, and small group work. This is supported by lecturers and tutors, from a wide variety of social and cultural backgrounds, who are committed to excellence in teaching and are academic specialists in their own fields.  The degree includes robust training in qualitative, quantitative, and comparative-historical methods. 


1 - 1) Demonstrate an understanding of complex processes, knowledge of various sociological, conceptual theoretical practices
2 - 2) Possess a social scientific understanding of social relations
3 - 3) Develop an ability to see the bigger picture, contextualize knowledge, synthesize different data sources, compare and contrast data, and understand the complexities of social life
4 - 4) Have the capacity to engage with, filter and assess established knowledge in the discipline. To be an more informed reader of research
5 - 5) Develop writing and presentation skills including the ability to communicate ideas in a concise and measured way.
6 - 6) Possess the ability to work independently and collaboratively
7 - 7) Show a capacity to manage oneself, one’s time and to organize learning practices
8 - 8) Have acquired transferable skills and the ability to make informed judgments
Sociology provides an excellent grounding for a wide range of careers in such areas as:

  • Social research and policy analysis
  • Journalism
  • The media
  • Civil Service
  • Business

    It also leads to a wide range of graduate study opportunities in the social sciences generally. The School provides a general MSocSc in Sociology, as well as specialised programmes in Health, Well- Being & Society, and Global Migration & Cultural Differences.
    • Stage 3

    Students must ensure that they complete 50 credits in Sociology across Stages 2 and 3 by the end of Stage 3. Please ensure you take a minimum of 20 level 3 credits.

    Stage 4

    Students must ensure that they complete 50 credits in Sociology across Stages 2 and 3 by the end of Stage 3. Please ensure you take a minimum of 20 level 3 credits.

    Module ID Module Title Trimester Credits
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    		     
    SOC20100 Sociological Theory Level 2 Autumn 5
    SOC20260 Quantitative Research Methods Autumn 5
    SOC20320 Qualitative Research Methods Spring 5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    		     
    Stage 2 Options - B)MIN2OF:
    Select a minimum of 2 of the following option modules.
    		     
    SOC10010 Foundations of Sociological Thought Autumn 5
    SOC20040 Sociology of Gender Autumn 5
    SOC20070 Social Anthropology Autumn 5
    SOC20270 Sociology Health & Inequality Autumn 5
    SOC20340 Sociology of Human Rights Autumn 5
    SOC20210 Animals and Human Society Spring 5
    SOC20250 Sociology of Nations Spring 5
    SOC20280 Sociology of Family Spring 5
    SOC20330 Sociology of Peace, Conflict & Justice Spring 5
    SOC20360 Sociology of the Environment Spring 5
    SOC20380 Global Developments Spring 5
    SOC20410 Sociology and ethics of care Spring 5
    Stage 2 Options - B)MIN2OF:
    Select a minimum of 2 of the following option modules.
    		     
    Stage 3 Options - B)MIN5OF:
    Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Please ensure you take a minimum of 20 level 3 credits
    		      
    SOC10010 Foundations of Sociological Thought Autumn 5
    SOC30070 Sociology of Education Autumn 5
    SOC30080 Health, Illness and Society Autumn 5
    SOC30100 American Society Autumn 5
    SOC30330 Currents in Contemporary Theory Autumn 5
    SOC30360 Sociology of Migration, Race and Ethnicity Autumn 5
    SOC30420 Deception: The Social, Moral & Economic Foundations of Lying Autumn 5
    SOC30440 Sociology of the Body Autumn 5
    SOC30560 Global Inequalities Autumn 5
    SOC30690 Art & Social Change Autumn 5
    SOC30710 Historical Sociology Autumn 10
    SOC30730 Global Econ & Social Change Autumn 5
    SOC30740 Sociology of climate change Autumn 5
    SOC20400 Gender, Health and Society Spring 5
    SOC30270 Sociology of War and Violence Spring 5
    SOC30350 Social Stratification Spring 5
    SOC30380 Social Dynamics and Networks Spring 5
    SOC30580 Latin American Sociology Spring 5
    SOC30700 Democracy & Civil Society Spring 10
    SOC30720 Sociology of Leisure Time Spring 5
    SOC30750 Sociological Power of Emotions Spring 5
    Stage 3 Options - B)MIN5OF:
    Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Please ensure you take a minimum of 20 level 3 credits
    		      
    Stage 4 Options - B)MIN5OF:
    Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Please ensure you take a minimum of 20 level 3 credits
    		      
    SOC10010 Foundations of Sociological Thought Autumn 5
    SOC30070 Sociology of Education Autumn 5
    SOC30100 American Society Autumn 5
    SOC30330 Currents in Contemporary Theory Autumn 5
    SOC30360 Sociology of Migration, Race and Ethnicity Autumn 5
    SOC30420 Deception: The Social, Moral & Economic Foundations of Lying Autumn 5
    SOC30560 Global Inequalities Autumn 5
    SOC30690 Art & Social Change Autumn 5
    SOC30710 Historical Sociology Autumn 10
    SOC30730 Global Econ & Social Change Autumn 5
    SOC30740 Sociology of climate change Autumn 5
    SOC30270 Sociology of War and Violence Spring 5
    SOC30350 Social Stratification Spring 5
    SOC30380 Social Dynamics and Networks Spring 5
    SOC30580 Latin American Sociology Spring 5
    SOC30700 Democracy & Civil Society Spring 10
    SOC30720 Sociology of Leisure Time Spring 5
    SOC30750 Sociological Power of Emotions Spring 5
    Stage 4 Options - B)MIN5OF:
    Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Please ensure you take a minimum of 20 level 3 credits
    		      
    See the UCD Assessment website for further details

    Module Weighting Info  
      Award GPA
    Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
    BHACS014 Stage 3 - 50.00%
    Stage 2 - 50.00%
    		 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20
    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67
    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07
    Pass

    2.00

    2.47
    BHACS001 Stage 3 - 50.00%
    Stage 2 - 50.00%
    		 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20
    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67
    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07
    Pass

    2.00

    2.47
    BHACS023 Stage 3 - 70.00%
    Stage 2 - 30.00%
    		 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20
    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67
    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07
    Pass

    2.00

    2.47

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