Sociology and Anthropology

Sociology and Anthropology involve the systematic study of social life and culture in order to understand the causes and consequences of human action. Sociologists and anthropologists study the structure and processes of traditional cultures and modern, industrial societies in various cultures. They examine how culture, social structures (groups, organizations and communities) and social institutions (family, education, religion, etc.) affect human attitudes, actions and life-chances.
Sociology and anthropology combine scientific and humanistic perspectives in the study of society. Drawing upon various theoretical perspectives, sociologists and anthropologists study areas such as culture, socialization, deviance, inequality, health and illness, family patterns, social change and race and ethnic relations. Combining theoretical perspectives with empirical research allows students an opportunity to develop new insights and a different perspective on their own lives. This combination also helps learners to understand everyday social life as a blend of both stable patterns of interaction and ubiquitous sources of social change.
The Sociology and Anthropology module prepares the learner for both academic and applied research careers in sociology and anthropology. The main aim is to provide learners with communicative and interpretative skills that will allow them to understand the meaning and consequences of human actions and relationships in society. Learners will learn to use theoretical and methodological tools to analyze culture, human behavior, and social institutions and to understand their relevance in human health.