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Study Sociology at Otago

    Illuminate the connections between everyday experience and social structure.

    Sociology considers the ways that everyday lives relate to the social structures that shape identity, relationships and power in society.

    Students of Sociology develop a set of critical lenses that shed new light on the social world.

    A Sociology degree will prepare students to dissect the multiple layers of our social reality – with all its pitfalls and promises – and apply that knowledge to guide our society to a better future.

    Why Study Sociology?

    If you believe that Sociology has meaning, relevance and applicability beyond the University, you are already one step ahead in developing your sociological imagination. This term was coined by the American sociologist, C Wright Mills, who wanted us to see how our “private troubles” related to “public issues”.

    For instance, instead of blaming people for their circumstances, with our sociological imagination we can begin to see how political arrangements, economic forces and the broader social order operate to create a world in which some people have the opportunities to advance, while others do not.

    While the experience of being poor, unemployed or discriminated against is felt very deeply at the personal level, our sociological imagination encourages us to understand how the thoughts, feelings and actions of the individual relate to broader structural and historical realities.

    In the words of Mills, “The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relations between the two within society. That is its task and its promise. To recognize this task and this promise is the mark of the classic social analyst.” (Mills, 1959, p12)

    By igniting your sociological imagination, you will begin to understand how personal choice is shaped by social context.

    What will I study?

    Are you interested in people and social relationships? Do you find habits, mannerisms and everyday life interesting? If so, Sociology is for you.

    Sociology is useful for anyone working with people, particularly in groups or organisational settings. Sociological research and analysis can make an important contribution to the development of sound social policies that address inequality and promote social justice.

    In addition, the study of Sociology will help you to acquire diverse skills that can be applied in a range of settings. These include the ability to:

    • Ask insightful questions about power, human behaviour and social processes.
    • Deepen our understanding of social issues using a variety of research methods.
    • Critically analyse information.
    • Develop your own theories about the social world.
    • Propose alternatives that promote social justice.

    Career opportunities

    Sociology graduates work in a variety of fields such as local and national politics, government departments, non-profit organisations, trade unions, social services, public health, journalism, social policy development, advertising and marketing, human resources and academia.

    Exploring social structures in society

    Discover how our social realities are made up of various dimensions and how these things shape our identities. Apply your learning and understandings to any job you have in the future.

    Sociology at Otago

    Sociology can be studied as a major or a minor subject within the three-year Bachelor of Arts degree, or a Bachelor of Arts and Science. Many students who choose to major in the Arts or Social Sciences include Sociology papers in their degree.

    In their first year, Sociology students are introduced to key concepts and approaches in local and global sociology. Second- and third- year papers explore theory; methods; basic social processes (such as interaction, modernity and culture); aspects of institutional life (such as family, education, health, politics and the economy); and drivers of social change (such as colonisation, globalisation, environmental sustainability, technology, youth culture and popular protest).

    Teaching style

    Sociology at Otago has a reputation for teaching excellence and innovation. Our teaching style involves interactive lectures and small group tutorials, where students are encouraged to apply theoretical concepts to practical cases. Students are helped to prepare for University life and are given assessment tasks that incorporate incremental skills development.

    Recommended background

    The single most important requirement for the study of Sociology is curiosity and the willingness to look beneath the surface. A background in social sciences, history, geography or liberal arts is useful, but not required. Most students will be studying Sociology for the first time so everyone will be on an equal footing.

    Choose a study option

    Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

    Undergraduate qualifications

    For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.

    Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.

    Ready to apply?

    Take the first step towards your future in this subject.

    Further study opportunities

    Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level SOCI 101 Sociology of New Zealand Society 18
    SOCI 102 Cultural and Social Identities 18
    200-level Three 200-level SOCI papers, one of which may be replaced with any 200-level GEND paper or CRIM 201 Crime, Justice and Society or SPEX 208 Sociology of Sport and Exercise 54
    300-level Four 300-level SOCI papers, one of which may be replaced with any 300-level GEND paper or SPEX 312 or SPEX 315 72
    Plus 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. 198
    Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts  
    Total 360

    A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.

    Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.

    You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.

    Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level and above

    Five SOCI papers, of which at least three must be 200-level SOCI papers or above, including at least one 300-level SOCI paper.

    		 90
      One 18 point SOCI paper may be replaced by any GEND paper at the appropriate level, CRIM 201, SPEX 312, SPEX 315 or STAT 110.  
    Total   90

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    SOCI papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    SOCI101 2025 Sociology of New Zealand Society 18 points Semester 1
    SOCI102 2025 Cultural and Social Identities 18 points Semester 2
    SOCI103 2025 Crime, Deviance and Social Transformation 18 points Semester 2
    SOCI201 2025 Sociological Research in Practice 18 points Semester 1
    SOCI202 2025 Big Ideas in Sociology 18 points Semester 1
    SOCI203 2025 Young People and Society 18 points Semester 2
    SOCI204 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2025
    SOCI205 2025 Social Inequality 18 points Semester 2
    SOCI207 2025 Families and Society 18 points Semester 1
    SOCI208 2025 Environmental Sociology 18 points Semester 2
    SOCI209 2025 Health and Society 18 points Semester 2
    SOCI211 2025 Colonisation, Globalisation and Social Justice 18 points Semester 1
    SOCI213 2025 Concepts of the Self 18 points Semester 2
    SOCI301 2025 Telling Sociological Stories 18 points Not offered in 2025
    SOCI302 2025 Theories of Social Power 18 points Semester 1
    SOCI304 2025 Special Topic: Exploring Neurodisability in Health, Welfare and Justice Systems 18 points Not offered in 2025
    SOCI305 2025 Family Demography 18 points Not offered in 2025
    SOCI306 2025 Public Sociology 18 points Semester 2
    SOCI309 2025 Special Topic 2 18 points Not offered in 2025
    SOCI310 2025 Social Movements and Popular Protest 18 points Semester 2
    SOCI312 2025 Crime, Technology and Social Change 18 points Semester 1
    SOCI313 2025 The Subject in Postmodern Society 18 points Semester 1
    SOCI319 2025 The Global Politics of Food 18 points Not offered in 2025
    SOCI401 2025 Qualitative Research Ethics 30 points Not offered in 2025
    SOCI402 2025 Advanced Sociological Theory 30 points Semester 1
    SOCI403 2025 Micro-Sociology 30 points Semester 1
    SOCI404 2025 Special Topic 30 points Not offered in 2025
    SOCI409 2025 Special Topic in Sociology 30 points Not offered in 2025
    SOCI410 2025 Alternative Futures 30 points Not offered in 2025
    SOCI490 2025 Dissertation 60 points Full Year
    SOCI590 2025 Research Dissertation 60 points 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026)

    More information

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    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.

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