sociology

could anyone provide some insights about the sociology course? it seems almost identical to the criminology course bar a couple of modules, im confused why that is

Reply 1

AlanR88

This is the same for most institutions as there are many similarities between the two disciplines. Historically, Criminology was referred to as a sub-discipline of Sociology, among other fields.

There are various sociological issues which branch into Criminology... consider gender, race, culture, inequality, social structures, etc, and how these can affect our interpretations, understandings and experiences of crime, deviancy and punishment.

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

Original post by AlanR88

This is the same for most institutions as there are many similarities between the two disciplines. Historically, Criminology was referred to as a sub-discipline of Sociology, among other fields.
There are various sociological issues which branch into Criminology... consider gender, race, culture, inequality, social structures, etc, and how these can affect our interpretations, understandings and experiences of crime, deviancy and punishment.

i can understand criminology being a subtopic of sociology, but it feels like the sociology course is only criminology topics. in comparison to other courses I've seen, there's much less scope in the modules. im asking as i am considering transferring unis and mmu is the most convenient for me, but i was quite disappointed by the look of the course

Reply 3

AlanR88

Original post by Anonymous

I am not sure where you are studying at the moment, but perhaps look at other institutions in the area... University of Salford perhaps, or the course at the University of Manchester looks quite varied?

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

Original post by AlanR88

yes i am looking into salford too! its just that mmu is much more convenient to commute to, so i was trying to decide based on the courses. ty for your help :smile:

Reply 5

University of Salford

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

could anyone provide some insights about the sociology course? it seems almost identical to the criminology course bar a couple of modules, im confused why that is

Hello,

Firstly I would like to say that the confusion between the two courses and their similarities is very common and that the answer I am going to give is mainly focused on the course that we offer at our institution.

Our BSc (Hons) Sociology course is concerned with understanding of social life and our place within it. On this course, you will study human connections and relationships, and how these connections, as well as social structures, such as social class, race and gender, are linked to the way we behave. To find out more you can access our BSc (Hons) Sociology webpage.

Whereas our BSc (Hons) Criminology course on what behaviour is defined as criminal and who has the power to define what constitutes crime. Although criminology does explore crime, the focus is on the causes of crime and deviant behaviour, how this affects society and how the criminal justice system responds to this. To find out more you can access our BSc (Hons) Criminology webpage.

We do also offer our BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology as a course, this blurs the lines between the two subject areas even more and allows you to study both for 3 years at our institution. Answering questions such as; What is defined as crime? Who in society has the power to define this? What are the individual and societal causes of crime and deviant behaviour? Who in society is more likely to commit a crime? and a lot more. To find out more you can access our BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology webpage.

I hope this information helps distinguish between the courses, if there is any more questions do not hesitate to ask.

Best of luck with your application.
Matt ~ Uni of Salford Rep

Reply 6

Anonymous #1

@Manchester Metropolitan University would you be able to give some insight on the sociology course please?

Reply 7

Manchester Metropolitan University

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

@Manchester Metropolitan University would you be able to give some insight on the sociology course please?

Hi! You're right in saying that the courses are really similar bar a couple of modules. This is due to the intersections between sociology and criminology as subjects, the fact that these fall within our department of sociology, and because our academic research focuses on areas like drug policy, quantitative methods and social justice which naturally fall between both subjects.

It's the core modules that distinguish BA (Hons) Sociology from criminology. Year 2 in particular allows you to develop your social research skills and explore social inequalities in areas such as class, race and gender whereas in criminology, the modules focus on how crime and deviance relate to wider social forces.

Our optional modules offer both sociology and criminology students the chance to study topics that are of interest to them, while not being confined to their degree subject. Again, because the degrees fall within the same department, it makes sense for the courses to offer the same optional modules.

I've passed your question onto one of our academics and I will post their response once they reply, as I know my answer here is a bit vague (sorry!). In the meantime, please feel free to send a DM or email our Course Enquiries team on [email protected] if you would like the contact details for one of the sociology tutors so you can ask questions.

I hope this helps!

Chloe🙂

Reply 8

Anonymous #1

Original post by Manchester Metropolitan University

Hi! You're right in saying that the courses are really similar bar a couple of modules. This is due to the intersections between sociology and criminology as subjects, the fact that these fall within our department of sociology, and because our academic research focuses on areas like drug policy, quantitative methods and social justice which naturally fall between both subjects.
It's the core modules that distinguish BA (Hons) Sociology from criminology. Year 2 in particular allows you to develop your social research skills and explore social inequalities in areas such as class, race and gender whereas in criminology, the modules focus on how crime and deviance relate to wider social forces.
Our optional modules offer both sociology and criminology students the chance to study topics that are of interest to them, while not being confined to their degree subject. Again, because the degrees fall within the same department, it makes sense for the courses to offer the same optional modules.
I've passed your question onto one of our academics and I will post their response once they reply, as I know my answer here is a bit vague (sorry!). In the meantime, please feel free to send a DM or email our Course Enquiries team on [email protected] if you would like the contact details for one of the sociology tutors so you can ask questions.
I hope this helps!
Chloe🙂

hi chloe, thanks so much!

Reply 9

Arden University

Original post by Anonymous

could anyone provide some insights about the sociology course? it seems almost identical to the criminology course bar a couple of modules, im confused why that is

Hi, I did my Sociology degree at MMU about 12 years ago and pretty much all the lecturers were really good. You do modules that crossover with the criminology program, I think one was called troubles with youth (Katherine if she still teaches there is marvellous). There are some that border on social psychology too.

Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador