Undergraduate Programme

Sociology

Our Programmes

Why Sociology

The overall objective of sociology is to systematically understand how individuals and groups create, maintain and change social relationships, social structures and institutions over time. As such sociologists are interested in grasping the dynamics of social change precipitated by the constant two-way interaction between individuals and social structures.

The focus of sociologists ranges from intimate interpersonal relationships, formal organizations and institutions, to large-scale global transformations. The range of issues and institutions studied by sociologists include: cultural diversity, popular culture, social identity, inequality, gender, deviance, politics, religion, race and ethnicity, family and kinship, education, development and social change, the economy, the population, the urban social environment, science and technology etc.

Unlike other social science disciplines, sociology is not restricted to a particular domain such as politics or the economy but seeks to unravel the interconnections between all aspects of social existence. Overall, sociology seeks to provide students with a critical understanding of their own location within a network of social interactions, organizations and institutions that simultaneously facilitate or inhibit social action and social change.

Curriculum

Single Major [B.Soc.Soi. (Hons)]

Cohort 2021 onwards

Pass at least 60 units of SC courses or SC-recognised courses which include the following:

SC1101E Making Sense of Society
SC2101 Methods of Social Research
SC3101 Social Thought and Social Theory
SC4101 Practising Anthropology and Sociology
a minimum of 36 units at Level-3000 or higher (including courses SC3101 and SC4101) with a minimum of 20 units at Level-4000 or higher (including SC4101)
a maximum of any 2 level-4000 SC-recognised courses
a maximum of two Level-5000 SC courses (subject to Department's approval)

Cohort 2016 to 2020

To major in Sociology, students need to:

Pass SC1101E. This will be counted towards the Faculty Core or UE requirements.
Pass at least 84 units of SC courses or SC-recognised courses which include the following:
- SC2101 Methods of Social Research
- SC3101 Social Thought and Social Theory
- SC4101 Practising Anthropology and Sociology
- a minimum of ONE from the following alternate essential courses from the basket of methodology courses:
  - SC3209 Data Analysis in Social Research
  - SC3213 Ethnographic Analysis of Visual Media
  - SC3221 Qualitative Inquiry
- a minimum of 60 units at Level-3000 or higher (including courses taken in points (2), (3) & (4) above) with
  - a minimum of 40 units at Level-4000 or higher (including SC4101)
  - a maximum of any 2 level-4000 SC-recognised courses
- a maximum of two Level-5000 SC courses (subject to Department's approval)

Note 1: To declare Honours track, students must have completed 110 units, including 44 units in SC major, with a GPA of 3.20 and above.

Note 2: Students who wish to do the Honours Thesis (optional) must have completed 110 units including 44 units in SC major requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.50 AND SJGPA of 4.00. The SJGPA is the average grade point of all SC major courses read. The Honours Thesis (HT) is equivalent to 3 level-4000 SC courses (15 units).

Cohort 2013 to 2015

Pass at least 100 units of SC or SC recognised courses, which include the following:

SC1101E Making Sense of Society
SC2101 Methods of Social Research
SC3101 Social Thought and Social Theory
SC4101 Practising Anthropology and Sociology
a minimum of ONE from the following alternate essential courses from the basket of methodology courses:
- SC3209 Data Analysis in Social Research
- SC3213 Ethnographic Analysis of Visual Media
- SC3221 Qualitative Inquiry
a minimum of 68 units at Level-3000 or higher (including courses taken in points (3), (4) & (5) above) with
- a minimum of 40 units at Level-4000 or higher (including SC4101)
- a maximum of any 2 level-4000 SC-recognised courses
a maximum of two Level-5000 SC courses (subject to Department's approval)

Note 1: To declare Honours track, students must have completed 110 units, including 60 units in SC major, with a GPA of 3.20 and above.

Note 2: The Honours Thesis/Project (15 units) is optional. To qualify for the Honours Thesis/Project, students must have completed 110 units including 60 units in SC major requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.50 and SJGPA of 4.00.

Note 3: Students who do not attempt the Honours Thesis/Project will read Level-4000 courses to fulfil the Honours requirements.

Note 4: Students may also read a Level-4000 Independent Studies Courses (5 units). This Level-4000 ISM carries a pre-requisite of 100 units completed, including 60 units in the major, with a minimum GPA of 3.20. It precludes the Honours Thesis/Project.

Note 5: All Level- 4000 courses carry a general pre-requisite of having completed 80 units, including 28 units in the major, with a minimum GPA of 3.20 OR being on the Honours Track (some Level-4000 courses may have different pre-requisites).

Second Major

Cohort 2021 onwards

Pass at least 40 units of SC courses which include the following:

SC1101E Making Sense of Society
SC2101 Methods of Social Research
SC3101 Social Thought and Social Theory
a minimum of 16 units of SC courses at Level-3000 or higher (See Note 1) (including SC3101)

Note 1: Students are allowed to read Level-4000 courses subject to Department's approval.

Note 2: Students should refer to the department website for prevailing course pre-requisites / preclusions.

Cohort 2019 to 2020

1. Pass SC1101E. This will be counted towards the Faculty Core or UE requirements.

2. Pass at least 36 units of SC courses or SC-recognised courses which include the following:

SC2101 Methods of Social Research
SC3101 Social Thought and Social Theory
a minimum of 16 units of SC courses at Level-3000 or higher (including SC3101) (See Note 1)

Note 1: Students are allowed to read Level-4000 courses subject to Department's approval.

Note 2: Students should refer to the department website for prevailing course pre-requisites / preclusions.

Cohort 2016 to 2018

Pass SC1101E. This will be counted towards the Faculty Core or UE requirements.
Pass at least 44 units of SC courses or SC-recognised courses which include the following:
- SC2101 Methods of Social Research
- SC3101 Social Thought and Social Theory
- a minimum of ONE from the following alternate essential courses from the basket of methodology courses:
  - SC3209 Data Analysis in Social Research
  - SC3213 Ethnographic Analysis of Visual Media
  - SC3221 Qualitative Inquiry
- a minimum of 20 units of SC courses at Level-3000 or higher (See Note 1) (including courses taken in points (2) & (3) above)

Note 1: Students are allowed to read Level-4000 courses subject to Department's approval.

Cohort 2006 to 2015

Minor

Cohort 2021 onwards

Cohort 2019 to 2020

1. Pass at least 20 units of SC or SC-recognised courses, which include the following:

SC1101E Making Sense of Society
a minimum of 4 units at Level-3000 or higher (excluding GEMs & SS courses offered by the Department)

Note 1: A maximum of 8 units from the minor can be used to satisfy the requirements a major or another minor.

Note 2: Students should refer to the department website for prevailing course pre-requisites / preclusions.

Cohort 2007 to 2018

Career Prospects

Sociology graduates are in high demand in a variety of occupations that require inquiring, analytical and critical minds. A sociology degree will impart you with the critical intellectual capacity of examining controversial issues from a variety of perspectives. These critical thinking skills are invaluable in an era of fast paced social change and will be an asset regardless of your chosen career.

Our sociology graduates have found employment in administration and personnel, information and research, community service, management, the media industry, teaching, uniformed services, marketing, and public relations among others.