Sociology

Sociology is often described as “the study of society”. What does this mean? Well ….

Sociologists try to answer questions about society, such as:

  • Why are there rich and poor people in society? What can we do to eliminate poverty?
  • Why are Pacific island societies facing development challenges while other societies enjoy economic affluence?
  • What is globalization and what are its main impacts and challenges in the Pacific?
  • Why are women and men not equal in many societies? What can we do to change this?
  • What are the roles, impacts and challenges of religion in the Pacific?
  • What are the pressing issues, changes and challenges experienced by families in the Pacific?
  • Why do some people commit crime? What can we do to stop crime?

Why are there “race” and ethnic conflicts in many societies, including Fiji and the Pacific?
If you have thought of these and other questions about your society, if you have wondered why people behave the way they do, and why our society works as the way it does, and what you can do to make it better, then sociology is for you! To borrow one author’s words, “Sociology examines and questions even the most familiar patterns of social behaviour (regarding institutions in societies). It can help students to better understand their own lives and those of people from other cultures” (Schaefer, R. T., 2008 Sociology 11th edition).

Why study Sociology

Sociology equips students with unique and solid analytical skills and competencies to benefit their future careers in diverse areas such as social policy, education, criminal justice, gender, public health, urban planning, social welfare, public administration, international relations, management, etc.  Sociology at the University of the South Pacific has long been one of the most diverse programmes in terms of staff backgrounds, qualifications, research interests/outputs, and course offerings. The Sociology courses cover such topics as culture and tradition, globalization and social change, religion, social policy, social theory and research, family, gender and sexuality, workplace relations, and more!

For students who wish to pursue postgraduate study in Sociology or Social Policy & Administration, an undergraduate degree in Sociology will provide a thorough grounding in the theoretical and methodological foundations of the discipline.

Students doing an undergraduate degree in Sociology also continue into postgraduate studies in Gender Studies, Development Studies and other related fields linked to social inequality, social justice and social policy.

What courses are offered in Sociology?

SO100 Themes and Perspectives in Sociology

SO122 Classical Sociological Theories & Methodologies

SO200 Modern Social Theory

SO201 Society, Culture and Change in the Pacific

SO207 Families, Sexualities and Change

SO212 Race & Ethnicity

SO300 Research Methods in Sociology

SO301 Sociology of Public Policy and Administration

SO303 Advanced Sociological Theory

SO304 Religion and Politics in Contemporary Society

SO311 Crime & Deviance

SO401 Sociological Theories

SO408 Issues in Social and Public Policy

SO409 Social Development

SO415 Contemporary Social Issues

What jobs can you get with a sociology degree?

Well, the list is endless. Our graduates are in:

  • Government Ministries;
  • Non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations;
  • International and regional organisations;
  • School teaching;
  • Consultancy;
  • Private sector; etc. etc…

Your employment possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

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