We are a large and lively department with an international reputation, based in particular on our readiness to combine theoretical and empirical work. Our research has always been noted for its wideranging interdisciplinary character, spanning social theory, women’s and gender studies, labour studies and social policy. Over recent years we have developed particular strengths in science, politics and society, media and culture, and global economy and society. We have a vibrant graduate community made up of students from several countries and backgrounds. We came second in the Guardian Teaching Guide for 2010.
Members of the Department have achieved international recognition in the areas of social theory, the sociology of religion, the public understanding of science, cultural studies of science, medicine and health, body and society, media studies, social policy, the study of youth culture, the sociology of sleep, gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity, labour studies, the family, and post-colonial studies.
Research Groups
Science and Society
This research cluster is dedicated to the sociological study of science on several levels: the public understanding of science, the impact of scientific knowledge on social policy decisions, science and medical practice, bioethics and biotechnology, nature and environment.
Media, Culture and Representation
This research cluster focuses on the relationship between the mass media and culture; particularly popular culture and youth culture; memory, commemoration and mourning; cultures of science (gene cultures, science in representation, science fiction); representations of gender and sexuality; ethnic and national identities; migration; Russia and Eastern Europe; and countries of the south.
Global Economies, Global Orders
This research group embraces a range of themes including class, gender and ethnicity in work, employment, production; global policy and governance; food security and environmental change; the applicability of concepts of imperialism, colonialism and empire to current global issues; the ideas of global society and world society.
Research Degrees
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Women ’s and Gender Studies
Standard Duration: 3-4 years
Women’s and Gender Studies draws on Sociology and other social science disciplines as well as those located in the humanities such as English and History. It encompasses a wide area of interests ranging from investigations into the ways in which society is structured to explorations of cultural representations and texts. A central concern is to analyse how different bases of inequality and identity, such as race, gender and class, intersect with each other. In Warwick the Centre is located in the Department of Sociology but draws its membership from across the university and from many different disciplines, reflecting its interdisciplinary nature.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Sociology
Standard Duration: 3-4 years
Our experienced team of scholars and teachers provides first class instruction in theory and in research methods, and a supportive atmosphere in which to pursue high level social research. You will be told exactly how to put together a viable and coherent project, and our extensive programme of research seminars will enable you to become part of a scholarly community. Our interests embrace social and political thought, sociological theory, cultural and media studies, gender and women’s studies, health and illness, postcolonialism, racism and ethnicity, science studies, and global economic and social order.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Social Policy
Standard Duration: 3-4 years
Social policy is a field of analysis explaining and evaluating the role of the state, voluntary and private sectors in the ‘social division of welfare’. It covers health, employment, education, food policy, youth policy, pensions and social security, There is a strong track record at Warwick of researching and teaching these issues in both a UK and comparative European context. There is a particular emphasis on approaching social policy from critical and reflexive, rather than consensual directions, and comparing intellectual traditions such as positivism, postmodernism and critical realism; political perspectives such as social democracy, Marxism, neoliberalism, welfare pluralism.
Taught Master’s Degrees
Our MA degrees are suitable for those who have graduated with a good social sciences or humanities degree. On completion, graduates can look forward to careers in Higher Education (Lectureships/Research Positions), Governmental and non-governmental research institutes, journalism/media and other fields.
MA Social Research
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
This degree offers a comprehensive programme of instruction in the full range of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Particular emphasis is placed on instructing students in the development of coherent and manageable research projects. Students are also able to take other sociology modules. The final module consists of the production of a 15,000 word MA dissertation, supervised by a member of the academic staff, due in September of the final year of study.
MSc Science, Media and Public Policy
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
This course aims to equip you with the theoretical and practical skills needed for understanding and managing the complexity of science, media and policy relations. Drawing on resources from history, philosophy and social studies of science, the core modules explore theoretical perspectives on science, media and public policy and then look at specific case studies of the sciences seeking to influence publics through entertainment and news media, education, dialogue and debate. You can also take a wide range of other relevant modules, including methodology modules. The final module consists of the production of a 15,000 word MA dissertation, supervised by a member of the academic staff, due in September of the final year of study.
MA Sociology
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
This is a comprehensive programme of study in advanced sociology. In the first term our experienced team of teachers will take you through both sociological theory and sociological research methods (quantitative and qualitative). In the second term there will be ample opportunity to explore your own interests in a wide range of substantive fields and/ or to consolidate and extend work done in the first term. The final module consists of a 15,000 word MA dissertation, supervised by a member of the academic staff, due in September of the final year of study.
MA Social and Political Thought
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
This MA focuses on the substantive relationship between society and politics, and the tensions and crossovers between sociology, social theory and political thought with particular emphasis on social theory’s capacity to both respond to and shape contemporary social and political life. Modules cover politics and social theory since Hobbes; recent trends in social theory; sociology of modernity; sociology and postcolonialism.
The final module consists of the production of a 15.000 word MA dissertation, supervised by a member of the academic staff, due in September of the final year of study.
MA Gender and International Development
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
This interdisciplinary programme covers all of the major aspects of gender and international development, critiquing theory and practice that shows no awareness of gender differences. As well as addressing theoretical approaches to the field, our MA explicitly teaches skills of analysis and research. You will thus be able to combine your theoretical and analytical skills and apply them to development interventions to diagnose problems and propose changes. Special emphasis is placed upon the use of case studies in the core modules and optional modules are usually available from the Law School as well as within Sociology. The final module consists of the production of a 15,000 word MA dissertation, supervised by a member of the academic staff, due in September of the final year of study.
