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Course plan for

Bachelor's Programme in Sociology

Admission requirements

Completion of general upper-secondary education.

Recommended previous knowledge

It is expected that students are able to work with an English, other Scancinavian languages and a Norwegian curriculum. It is also expected that students have basic computer skills for writing assignments and for aquisition of information electronically.

General description and profile

Sociology is the study of society, social change and the social causes and consequences of human actions. Sociology provides tools for understanding how society works, how social institutions affect our lives and how the relationship between individual and society creates, changes and shapes social life. Sociology sheds light on how human interaction both shapes and is shaped by the environment.

 

Sociologists examine how groups, institutions and societies are created and structured. Since all human action is fundamentally social, and often follows patterns that are relatively independent of the individual, sociologists are thematically concerned with everything from close relationships to global change.

 

The bachelor's program in sociology at UiA has a wide thematic breadth with topics such as welfare, inequality, globalization, education, crime, family relations, gender, religion and the multicultural society. Sociology offers theoretical perspectives and frameworks that enable the student to understand and describe the complexity of society. Research methods form a central part of the study, and the bachelor thesis gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a self-chosen sociological problem. The bachelor's program in sociology is suitable for those who are interested in understanding key characteristics of our modern societies and how they change.

 

The bachelor program consists of a specialization in sociology of 110 credits, which includes the bachelor thesis of 20 credits (all courses with SV code in the study plan). In addition, students will take courses in scientific method and ex. phil., as well as an optional breadth component of 40 credits

 

Programme Structure
1. sem SV-133-1 Introduction to Sociology 10 sp SV-143-1 Social Institutions 10 sp ME-110-1 Practical Social Research 10 sp                        
2. sem SV-134-1 Classical Sociology 10 sp SV-209-1 Modern Sociological Theory 10 sp EX-100-1 Exam Philosophicum 10 sp                        
3. sem Minor component 40 ECTS credits (10 3rd sem. and 30 4th sem.) SV-217-1 Childhood, families and gender 10 sp SV-135-1 Sociology of Welfare and Equality 10 sp
4. sem                
5. sem SV-304-1 Global Sociology 10 sp SV-218-1 Deviance, Crimininality and Punishment 10 sp ME-100-1 Research Methods in Social Science 10 sp                        
6. sem SV-211-1 Migrasjon, makt og mangfold 10 sp SV-303-1 Bachelor Thesis 20 sp                        

Electives are chosen prior to the 3rd semester in Studentweb, in the period 10 June - 20 August. Arrangements have been made for broad choices that will help to give students a broader academic competence and opportunities to take exchanges at highly regarded partner universities. Restrictions on some electives choices may mean that students are not guaranteed a place on their first choice. Students who choose to go on exchange in the 4th semester will take an elective course at UiA in the autumn of the 3rd semester.

 

To meet current issues of sustainability, democracy and economics, the Faculty of Social Sciences has developed a new, current elective unit: ‘Sustainable transformation - concepts, approaches and practices’. The elective unit of 30 credits is given as three courses in the spring semester from 2022. Students who take the elective will gain an in-depth understanding of sustainability, and various approaches and tools will enable them to actively engage in the development of sustainability processes.

 

It is possible to apply for approval of a elective unit that contains other subject combinations and courses, and previous education can be professionally assessed and incorporated into the bachelor's program. Contact the student advisor for more information.

 

We reserve the right to make changes to the elective offer

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the program, the candidate shall:

KNOWLEDGE

  • have a broad knowledge of central perspectives, concepts, theories and methods in sociology
  • know how theoretical perspectives and concepts are used in studies of how social interaction shapes small and large societal structures and how societal structures and processes shape living conditions for man
  • know of important historical developments in sociology as a discipline
  • be familiar with descriptions of, and perspectives on, social change
  • be able to describe typical characteristics of modern societies along economic, political, social and cultural dimensions
  • know about global differences and similarities between societies, and how globalization affects individual lives
  • know of central and recent research in sociology in general, with a particular focus on welfare and gender equality, family and childhood, globalization and multiculturalism, discrepancies and crime
  • be able to explain the different methods that social scientists use to obtain and analyze data

 

SKILLS

  • be able to apply sociological perspectives and theories in analyzes of key societal issues and developments
  • be able to participate in academic discussions with the ability to give and receive criticism in a constructive way
  • be able to design relevant issues and use different scientific methods
  • be able to use their knowledge within the sociological subject areas to identify important societal problems and development trends, find, evaluate and refer to relevant information on these in a reflected way
  • be able to collect data and express themselves in writing and orally

 

GENERAL COMPETENCE

  • be able to explain important research ethical issues
  • have developed critical skills, independence and analytical skills
  • be able to communicate key sociological perspectives and issues in writing and orally
  • be able to reflect on how sociological perspectives can be used to understand changes in society and working life
  • be able to use sociological perspectives to understand the consequences of changes in society.
  • be able to plan and execute a sociological project over time, alone or as part of a group, in accordance with ethical principles and guidelines

 

 

Teaching methods

A variety of different teaching methods are used, for example lectures, group work, seminars and working with term papers. Tutoring is provided both individually and in groups. Attendance at lectures is normally not mandatory, but there may be requiremnts of attendance in some elective courses. The language of instruction is generally Norwegian, but some courses or parts of courses will be taught in English.

 

Assessment methods

The study programme has varied forms of assessment such as individual school exams, home exams, portfolio assessment and adjusting oral exam in connection with the bachelor thesis submission.

Internationalization

The faculty has extensive cooperation with various institutions both in Norway and abroad, this will also benefit the Bachelor students in Sociology. Students may seek the opportunity to spend a semester or a whole year abroad whilst pursuing their bachelor programme. Please refer to the university's International Education Office for further details.

Occupational profiles / further studies

The programme provides analytical skills and competence as a starting point for work in the public, private and voluntary sectors. The programme can qualify for positions in these sectors within management, personnel, training, sales and the like. The programme provides opportunities to choose subject combinations that can be adapted to the student's various interests and wishes for future work. The bachelor's programme provides a professional foundation for further studies at the master's level, such as the master's program in sociology and social work at the University of Agder and the master's program in sociology at other universities. The bachelor's degree also qualifies for other master's programmes at UiA.

Qualification awarded

Successful completion of the programme awards the graduate with the degree Bachelor in Sociology.

Evaluation

Study programme evaluation is conducted annually in the programme committee in accordance with the Quality System, section 4.2. Before the meeting of the study programme committee, the student representative may obtain suggestions and ideas from fellow students.

Contact person

Programme coordinator Ann Christin Eklund Nilsen +47 38 14 15 32

Other information

Several of the courses are also taught in other study programmes
It is a requirement that all students at UiA have their own portable computer (laptop) for use in teaching and examinations, see Examination Regulations, University of Agder, §12d.

Mode of study

Full-time.

Choose year:

Credits

180

Scope

Full time

Campus

Kristiansand 

Faculty

Faculty of Social Sciences