Sociology involves the analysis of society: that is, how people organise and participate in groups and larger social structures, and how societies change. Sociologists ask questions about society, challenging what is normally taken for granted. Students who major in Sociology develop, not only a good understanding of social structures, social issues and policies, and social change, but also strong research and information literacy skills that prepare them well for employment in many fields.

Sociology is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC) and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Sociology may also be taken as a second major or minor, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Sociology as a single major for the BA, BCC or BSocSc, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Sociology including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must include SOCIO101, at least 30 points from SOCIO coded 200 level papers, and at least 30 points from SOCIO coded 300 level papers, and a further 30 points at 300 level.

To complete Sociology as part of a double major for the BA, BCC, BSocSc or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from the papers listed for Sociology, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must include SOCIO101, at least 15 points from SOCIO coded papers at 200 level, and at least 30 points from SOCIO coded papers at 300 level.

To complete a minor in Sociology, students must complete 60 points from papers listed for Sociology, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must complete SOCIO101, at least one SOCIO coded 200 level paper, and at least one SOCIO coded 300 level paper.

Enquiries about undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Sociology should be directed to the Programme Convenor.

Other qualifications

Prescriptions for:

Sociology papers

100 Level 200 Level 300 Level 500 Level 800 Level 900 Level
Code and paper title Points
CRIMN101 Criminology and Social Justice in New Zealand right arrow

This paper provides an introduction to criminology. It emphasizes the interrelation of crime, punishment, and the mass incarceration of Māori in New...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Secondary School - Unistart) & 25B (Tauranga)
GNSEX101 Gender and Sexuality: Representations and Realities right arrow

This paper considers issues related to gender, sexuality, and the body including health issues, media representations, gender based violence, and...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Secondary School - Unistart) & 25B (Tauranga)
SOCIO101 Introduction to Sociology right arrow

This paper prepares students for further study in a range of social science subjects. It introduces the main sociological theories, concepts and...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Secondary School - Unistart) & 25B (Tauranga)
SOCIO102 The Sociology of Crime, Deviance and Social Justice right arrow

This paper provides students with an introduction to criminology and the criminal justice system, with a focus on the New Zealand context.

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
SOCPY100 Introduction to Social Policy right arrow

This paper examines the values behind social policy and introduces students to some of the important issues and debates in New Zealand and other...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Secondary School - Unistart) & 25A (Tauranga)
Code and paper title Points
SOCIO201 21st Century Activism and Radical Thought right arrow

This paper will offer insight into the historical legacies of systemic racism, sexism and class oppression by taking an in-depth look at key issues...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
SOCIO203 Popular Culture right arrow

This paper offers a sociological perspective on historical and contemporary forms of popular culture.

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
SOCIO204 Punishment, Society and Social Justice right arrow

This subject will provide students with a critical understanding of the theoretical, political and policy issues associated with societies' response...

15 25B (Hamilton)
SOCIO206 Environmental Sociology: From Denial to Actions right arrow

The environment and climate are as much about human activity, economic and political choices as scientific information. Thinking sociologically, not...

15 25A (Online)
SOCPY200 Social Policy and Social Issues right arrow

The paper continues the study of social policy at 200 level. The focus of this paper is on the welfare state, the policy cycle as well as social...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
Code and paper title Points
ALPSS390 Directed Study right arrow

This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology, and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their...

15 25X (Hamilton)
GNSEX303 Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities right arrow

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the historical context for understanding contemporary issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social...

15 25A (Hamilton)
SOCIO303 Big Tech, Big Data, Algorithms and Society right arrow

Thinking sociologically about digital technologies: algorithms in social life, surveillance, disinformation, the gig economy and precarity. What does...

15 25A (Online)
SOCIO305 Human Enhancement Technologies and Social Life right arrow

This paper analyses the causes and impacts of technologies of human enhancement on individuals and societies. The paper addresses issues such as...

15 25A (Online)
SOCIO306 Sport and Popular Culture right arrow

Physical culture ('sport') has long been an integral part of our social and cultural fabric. Sport consumption shapes our identities in multiple and...

15 No occurrences
SOCIO311 Current Issues in Crime Control and Social Justice right arrow

This paper examines sociological explanations for criminal behaviour and examines issues within criminal justice.

15 25G (Online)
SOCPY300 Applied Social Policy right arrow

This paper provides students with experience of the ways in which policy is formulated and enacted. Theoretical perspectives are consolidated and...

15 25B (Online)
SOCPY301 Health, Wellbeing and Policy right arrow

This paper provides a critical introduction to key issues in the formation of health policy at both a national and international level.

15 25A (Online)
Code and paper title Points
ALPSS500 Academic & Professional Research & Writing right arrow

In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills...

30 25A (Online) & 25B (Online)
ALPSS590 Directed Study right arrow

This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their...

30 25X (Hamilton)
ALPSS591 Research Project right arrow

A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum).

30 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
ALPSS592 Dissertation right arrow

A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum).

60 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
ANTHY515 Ethnographic Research Methods right arrow

This paper provides an in depth introduction to ethnographic research, including its ethical, theoretical, and methodical components.

30 25A (Hamilton)
GEOGY500 People, Place, Power right arrow

This paper is a forum for debate in geographies of people and power. Key concerns are the intersections between gender, Māori, Indigeneity...

30 25A (Online)
HSHUP507 Social Sciences of Sport, Active Recreation and Coaching right arrow

Students will be introduced to key theories used for the social scientific study of sport, active recreation and coaching. Attention will be paid to...

30 25A (Online)
MAORI570 Te Mahi Rangahau: Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Research Methods and Issues right arrow

This paper introduces students to a range of research issues, helps students identify and apply the most effective methodology, understand, review...

30 25A (Online)
MAORI571 Decolonising Theory and Indigenous Studies right arrow

A seminar programme on indigenous consciousness, knowledge, values and ethics and their applications to contemporary issues such as research ethics...

30 25B (Online)
MEDIA501 Critical and Creative Approaches to Research right arrow

This paper identifies the constraints and freedoms of research methods, and places a strong emphasis on research as an intellectual, theoretical, and...

30 25A (Hamilton)
MNGMT581 Research Methods in Management Studies right arrow

This paper aims to introduce students to the assumptions underlying the different methodologies and methods for performing research in the social...

30 25A (Hamilton) & 25B (Hamilton) & 25C (Hamilton)
PACIS500 Critical Pacific Studies right arrow

This paper provides an opportunity to critically engage the foundational ideas, texts, theoretical work, methods and perspectives of Pacific studies...

30 25B (Hamilton)
POPST501 Population Health and Equity right arrow

This paper explores population health in Aotearoa/New Zealand and internationally, emphasising the broader determinants of wellbeing and equity. It...

30 25A (Hamilton)
SOCIO501 Knowing Bodies right arrow

This paper examines interdisciplinary understandings of bodies in social and cultural contexts, drawing from sociology of health and illness, gender...

30 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
SOCIO593 Sociology Thesis right arrow

An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

90 25X (Hamilton)
Code and paper title Points
SOCIO800 Sociology MPhil Thesis right arrow

120 25X (Hamilton)
Code and paper title Points
SOCIO900 Sociology PhD Thesis right arrow

120 25I (Hamilton) & 25J (Hamilton) & 25K (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
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2025 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 23 Dec 2024 01:00am