Courses and Programmes
Students of the UJ Department of Sociology hail from all parts of the continent and the world. Since the coherent UJ Sociology coursework programme responds to the range of research and supervision areas listed above, a synergy exists between the teaching and research interests of staff members of the Department of Sociology. The department’s programme encourages critical thinking and an analytical approach to social and organisational problems – skills that are highly sought after in the labour market.
Sociology
Why study Sociology?
Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behaviour. Sociologists investigate how groups, organisations and societies function. Sociology encourages critical thinking and urges one to challenge preconceived ideas – traits that are highly valued by prospective employers. Sociologists study race, social class and gender division; issues in the family, the workplace, and the state; politics and sport; the meanings of decolonisation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution; causes and consequences of xenophobia, crime, gender violence, poverty, unemployment, religious cults, and social movements; the meanings of shared cultural beliefs and practices; and social divisions and stratification including gender and sexuality. Successful sociology students impress employers with their broader understanding of these issues and with their range of practical skills. Few fields have such broad scope and relevance for research, theory, and application of knowledge.
Possible careers include:
- Social Policy planning and analyses
- Industrial relations officer
- Human resources
- Social research
- Academic Teaching
- Journalism and media-related jobs
- NGO and public service
- Trade union sector
- Organisational development
- Conflict resolution
- Community development
- Research and development