In a society where we value independence and individuality, we sometimes forget that our private and public lives are intensely shaped and influenced by interaction with others. We are born in groups and spend our lives in groups.

As a discipline, sociology involves the study and explanation of the fascinating interactive relationships that form in modern industrial societies between individuals and their social norms, practices, and institutions. Studies in sociology, therefore, help you understand how individuals and groups create, maintain, and transform their social environments.

Because of sociology's broad areas of interest, a degree in sociology is an excellent preparation for a variety of careers, including further postgraduate studies in the social sciences. Some of the topics that engage sociologists include the emergence of modern societies, theories of social structure and social organization, the development of personal and collective identity, social problems, collective behaviour and social movements, urban life and development, crime and justice, health, aging and the life-course, globalization, media, the environment, race and ethnicity, gender, work and occupations, organizations, political and economic systems, citizenship, and social ethics/values.

Although the range of interests that preoccupy sociologists is broad, one of the main purposes of the discipline is to develop reliable explanations for social relationships by developing effective ways of conducting social research. Students who major in sociology acquire not only a rich and multifaceted understanding of society but, also, valuable skills in informed social analysis and critical thinking.