The focus of sociological teaching and research is the study of contemporary societies in a global context. Sociologists focus on social structures, cultures and processes of change, and consider class, gender, ethnicity, power and culture to understand the differences in how people live, think and feel. In this major, students will investigate diverse human groups, communities, institutions and organisations. The wide range of units offered is designed to provide you with the opportunity to explore broad theoretical and methodological issues and also give you an understanding of the diverse aspects of Australian culture in its global context. You may enrol in either the general stream of the major or the gender studies stream.
Sociology is a versatile major, providing useful background if you are intending to work in areas such as social policy, social research and journalism.
Availability
Sociology is listed in A2000 Bachelor of Arts at Caulfield and Clayton as a major or minor, and A0502 Diploma of Liberal Arts at Caulfield and Clayton as a major.
Outcomes
In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will be able to:
- analyse and compare social processes and phenomena in a range of institutional, political, cultural and policy contexts, informed by core sociological theoretical concepts
- understand and critically assess the major sociological perspectives and apply them to pressing real-world problems through applied research.
Major requirements (48 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited to the majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) and at least 18 points must be at level 3.
Students complete one of the following streams.
General stream
- Two level 1 gateway unitsgateway units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- One level 2 cornerstone unitcornerstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points) chosen from:
- ATS3725 Population and society
- ATS3852 Contemporary issues in social science research
- Four units (24 points) from the remaining cornerstone or capstone units or the general stream elective list, with at least two units at level 3.
Gender studies stream
- Two level 1 gateway unitsgateway units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- One level 2 cornerstone unitcornerstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points):
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points):
- ATS3852 Contemporary issues in social science research
- Four units (24 points) from the gender studies stream elective below with at least two units at level 3.
Minor requirements (24 points)
No more than 12 points at first-year level may be credited towards the minorminor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html).
Students complete:
- Two level 1 gateway unitsgateway units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- Two level 2 or 3 units (12 points) as listed within the major. It is a highly recommended that students complete a level 2 unit before enrolling in a level 3 unit.
Elective list
Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.
General stream
- ATS2249 Sustainable development in South East Asia
- ATS2561 Sex and the media
- ATS2563 Global consumption
- ATS2619/ATS3319Cultural diversity in contemporary Europe
- ATS2716 Cultural diversity and identity
- ATS2718 Families, relationships and society
- ATS2720 Youth, culture and social change
- ATS2727 Men, masculinity and society
- ATS3248 Field methods in anthropology and international development
- ATS3715 Sexuality and society
- ATS3717 Health, culture and society
- ATS3725 Population and society
- ATS3726 Critical social psychology
- ATS3730 Sustainability and society
Gender studies stream
Intending honours students
Students intending to enter honours in this area of study must have completed a major in the discipline, with a minimum of 24 points of study at level 3 to be eligible.
Diplomas
- A0502 Diploma of Liberal Arts
Bachelors
Single degrees
Successful completion of the minor or major can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the following single degree:*
Students in other single bachelor's degrees may be eligible to complete the minor or major by using 24 or 48 points of their free electives.
Double degrees
Successful completion of the minor or major can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts component in the following double degrees:*
- A2005 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Art
- A2004 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music
- B2019 Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Arts
- B2012 Bachelor of Business Specialist and Bachelor of Arts
- B2020 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts
- B2024 Bachelor of Commerce Specialist and Bachelor of Arts
- D3002 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- E3002 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- C2002 Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Arts
- L3003 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- S2006 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts
