Undergraduate Programme
Sociology & Anthropology
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)]
Second Major
Minor
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.
Testimonials
Why study Sociology?
To me, the discipline of Sociology is like a toolbox filled with versatile skills that are key to understanding diverse social phenomena. The major has cultivated my ability to conduct empirical and rigorous research in the Social Sciences, from analysing demographic reports to conducting field interviews. Key to my learning experience are also my course instructors who seek to enhance an intellectual understanding of key social issues.
How has your time in FASS equipped you with skills for your future career/endeavours?
My time in FASS, especially as a Sociology major, has equipped me with relevant skills malleable to research roles across various industries. My learning experience as a whole has equipped me with both qualitative and quantitative research skills that I have been able to apply not just in my coursework, but in the working world. Such as during my recent internship at the Ministry of National Development where I helped collate statistics and draft reports on urban liveability. Outside of the public service and academia, such skills are highly relevant to roles in other fields such as Marketing and Consultancy. Academics aside. I have also had the opportunity to serve as the Vice Project Director of Arts Mode, an annual faculty-wide fashion runway. This experience has nurtured my abilities in project management and media production, complementing my suite of academic skills.
Dylan Huang
Sociology
Wang Liurong
Sociology
Why study Sociology?
Studying sociology provided me with the space to comprehend my anger and uneasiness. We are often angry because we are so used to having answers; in fact, many things do not have an easy answer and won’t just end with an ‘answer’. Sociology led me to realise that ‘understanding’ the world is just as important as trying to ‘make sense’ of it. The future world will be more vibrant and unpredictable than the world today. While it will bring human society many unknown opportunities, it will also bring chaos and fear. In times like these, we need to be careful and avoid the urge to seek easy ways out by creating ‘simple answers’ to complex situations. These ‘simple answers’ have caused many problems, and furthermore obscured other problems from being recognized for what they are. Studying sociology gives me the courage to be confused, to embrace complexity instead of shunning it due to our intrinsic fear of the unknown.
Why study Sociology?
I have always been fascinated by the study of human behaviour, and with understanding why different people who are biologically the same can live in totally different ways and hold completely different ideologies. I believe that this acquired sensitivity to the mores and concerns of each sector of society will benefit me in the administration of public service, which is my other passion.
