James Cook University

Bachelor of Arts (Sociology)

Sociology is the study of society and societal institutions. It considers the causes and consequences of how humans relate to each other, objects and the wider world around them. Sociology is a broad ranging field. Humans are complex, social creatures and interact with a variety of groups, institutions and systems. Indeed, the field ranges from issues that affect humans on an individual level, right through to concerns of social systems and structure as a whole.

Sociologists work to a high evidence-based standard. Much of a sociologist’s work involves analysing real world examples and data sets to identify trends and anomalies. They then draw on this information to make inferences and perhaps suggest social or policy changes. Sociology is also closely connected to the study of history. Sociologists frequently work with historians and anthropologists to track social phenomena over time, assess impacts and account for changes.