
- UCAS course code
- TL33
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course description
Sociology and languages are inherently tied.
No study of society can ignore language, and no study of language can be removed from its specific social context.
You will be challenged to think about the nature of the social worlds in which we live and about how language and culture build and inform such worlds.
You will study social life and social change, from the reproduction of inequalities in relation to social categories (such as race, class or gender), to the way that wider cultural contexts shape intimate relationships.
You will develop advanced language skills and learn about the cultures and histories related to that language.
In the third year of this four-year course, you will undertake a period of residence abroad, studying or working in a country that speaks your language of study.
Our aim is to help you develop analytical, investigative and linguistic skills, training you to become independent thinkers and researchers with the confidence to work in both English and another language.
Aims
- Offer a coherent curriculum in sociology that is strongly informed by leading contemporary research.
- Impart knowledge and understanding in sociological theory and methods allowing them to progress to further study.
- Develop advanced communicative skills in Japanese based on a sound understanding of the characters and structures of the language.
- Provide an opportunity to study other historical or cultural aspects of Japanese society, including Japan's relations with the wider world.
Special features
Residence abroad
You can study and/or work for up to a year in a country or countries relevant to your chosen language(s) to improve your communicative language skills in a native-speaker environment.
Collaborations and partnerships
The University has links with language and cultural institutions across the city, including:
- Instituto Cervantes - a centre for Spanish culture;
- HOME - international and contemporary art, theatre and film;
- Manchester China Institute - promoting mutual understanding in UK-China relations through research, teaching, and activities;
- Alliance Française - home of French language and culture.
Societies
The University is home to over 30 international and language-related student societies offering a breadth of cultural activities and experiences.
Teaching and learning
- written and oral examinations;
- presentations;
- coursework (which may include library research, linguistic fieldwork and data collection, or web-based research);
- and, in your final year, the option of writing a dissertation based on a research topic of your choice.
Applicants should be aware that learning Japanese is very intensive and that a great deal of time is required for this throughout the course (extending through the summer period between Years 1 and 2, particularly for beginners).
The first few weeks may be particularly intensive for those who have not encountered Japanese script, and we strongly advise all applicants to ensure that they have learned at least the hiragana script prior to Week 1 of teaching; guidance on materials to help with this can be obtained from language tutors.
Coursework and assessment
You will be assessed in various ways, including:
- written and oral examinations;
- presentations;
- coursework (which may include library research, linguistic fieldwork and data collection, or web-based research);
- in your final year, a dissertation based on a research topic of your choice.
Assessment methods vary from course unit to course unit - see individual course unit listings for more information.
Course content for year 1
Students take a total of 40-60 credits in Sociology.
You will study our core Sociology unit, SOCY10440 Researching Culture & Society. In addition, you will study optional units (total 20-40 credits), such as:
- SOCY10441 Media, Culture and Society;
- SOCY10462 Global Social Challenges.
You will also study an additional 60 credits of Modern Language and Culture course units in your modern language subject.
You will take only the language units relevant to your level of language in each year of study.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Researching Culture and Society | SOCY10440 | 20 | Mandatory |
Crime and Society | CRIM10001 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Japanese Studies | JAPA10030 | 20 | Optional |
Japanese Language 1 | JAPA51011 | 20 | Optional |
Japanese Language 2 | JAPA51022 | 20 | Optional |
Japanese Language 3 | JAPA51031 | 20 | Optional |
Japanese Language 4 | JAPA51042 | 20 | Optional |
Environment and Society | SOCY10202 | 20 | Optional |
Inequalities in Contemporary British Society | SOCY10402 | 20 | Optional |
Contested Foundations of Social Thought | SOCY10421 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 2
Students take a total of 40-60 credits in Sociology.
You will study one of the following core Sociology units (total 20 credits):
- SOCY20091 Qualitative Social Research Design and Methods;
- SOST20012 The Survey Method in Social Research.
In addition, you will study optional units (total 20-40 credits), such as:
- SOCY20501 Social Thought from the Global South;
- SOCY20012 Sociology of Popular Music;
- SOCY20962 Racism and Ethnicity in the UK;
- SOCY20232 Sustainability, Consumption and Global Responsibilities.
You will also study an additional 60-80 credits of Modern Language and Culture course units in your modern language subject.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
History and Civilisation of Japan | JAPA10111 | 20 | Optional |
Modern and Contemporary Japan: Social Dynamics | JAPA20121 | 20 | Optional |
Core Themes in Animated Film and Visual Culture of Postwar Japan | JAPA20132 | 20 | Optional |
Religion in Japan | JAPA20211 | 20 | Optional |
Japanese Language 3 | JAPA51031 | 20 | Optional |
Japanese Language 4 | JAPA51042 | 20 | Optional |
Japanese Language 5 | JAPA51050 | 20 | Optional |
Work, Economy and Society | SOCY20032 | 20 | Optional |
Education and Society | SOCY20051 | 20 | Optional |
Qualitative Research Design & Methods | SOCY20091 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
Course content for year 4
Students take a total of 40-60 credits in Sociology from course units such as:
- SOCY30920 Dissertation A (20 credits) or SOCY30930 Dissertation B (40 credits);
- SOCY30061 Urban Sociology;
- SOCY30091 Changing Social Attitudes;
- SOCY30141 Body and Society;
- SOCY30181 Sociology of Cultural Participation and Cultural Policy;
- SOCY30191 Material Culture: The Social Life of Things;
- SOCY30241 A Sense of Inequality;
- SOCY30042 The Sociology of Human-Animal Relations.
You will also study an additional 60-80 credits of Modern Language and Culture course units in your modern language subject.
Course units for year 4
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Japanese Language 6 | JAPA51060 | 20 | Mandatory |
Advanced Readings in Japanese Studies | JAPA32000 | 20 | Optional |
Buddhism in Japan | JAPA33082 | 20 | Optional |
Japanese Language 5 | JAPA51050 | 20 | Optional |
Dissertation in Modern Languages and Cultures | LALC30000 | 40 | Optional |
Sociology of Human Animal Relations | SOCY30042 | 20 | Optional |
Secrecy and Secret Societies | SOCY30151 | 20 | Optional |
Power and Protest | SOCY30461 | 20 | Optional |
Social Thought from the Global South | SOCY30501 | 20 | Optional |
Visualising Society & Social Life: Photography in focus | SOCY30522 | 20 | Optional |
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Facilities
The University Language Centre is home to language resources, including a new interpreting suite, purpose-built recording rooms, and resources for more than 70 languages.
The Centre also offers multilingual word processing, language learning software, off-air recording and AV duplication, multilingual terrestrial and satellite TV, and extensive support and advice for learners.
Learn more at facilities