SociologySubject regulations

Sociology involves the analysis of society: that is, how people organise and participate in groups and larger social structures, and how societies change. Sociologists ask questions about society, challenging what is normally taken for granted. Students who major in Sociology develop, not only a good understanding of social structures, social issues and policies, and social change, but also strong research and information literacy skills that prepare them well for employment in many fields.

Sociology is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC) and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Sociology may also be taken as a second major or minor, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Sociology as a single major for the BA, BCC or BSocSc, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Sociology including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must include SOCIO101, at least 30 points from SOCIO coded 200 level papers, and at least 30 points from SOCIO coded 300 level papers, and a further 30 points at 300 level.

To complete Sociology as part of a double major for the BA, BCC, BSocSc or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from the papers listed for Sociology, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must include SOCIO101, at least 15 points from SOCIO coded papers at 200 level, and at least 30 points from SOCIO coded papers at 300 level.

To complete a minor in Sociology, students must complete 60 points from papers listed for Sociology, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must complete SOCIO101, at least one SOCIO coded 200 level paper, and at least one SOCIO coded 300 level paper.

Enquiries about undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Sociology should be directed to the Programme Convenor.

Other qualifications

Prescriptions for:

A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Sociology at an advanced level in their first degree.
Each programme of study for the Graduate Certificate must include at least one SOCIO coded 200 level paper and at least one SOCIO coded 300 level paper. Each programme of study for the Graduate Diploma must include at least one SOCIO coded 200 level paper, and at least two SOCIO coded 300 level papers.
For further details, contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.
To complete a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in Sociology, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research, 30 points in any other SOCIO coded paper, as well as 30 points in any other SOCIO or SOCPY coded paper.
The qualification regulations define the admission requirements for enrolment into the MA or MSocSc in Sociology.
Completion requirements for the MA or MSocSc in Sociology vary according to admission criteria:
Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MA or MSocSc. Within the 180 points students must also complete ALPSS500, and 60 points from SOCIO coded papers.
Students admitted under b) above must complete 120 points from approved 500 level papers, including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MA or MSocSc.
The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

Sociology papers

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
CRIMN101Criminology and Social Justice in New Zealand This paper provides an introduction to criminology. It emphasizes the interrelation of crime, punishment, and the mass incarceration of Māori in New...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Secondary School - Unistart) & 25B (Tauranga)
GNSEX101Gender and Sexuality: Representations and Realities This paper considers issues related to gender, sexuality, and the body including health issues, media representations, gender based violence, and...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Secondary School - Unistart) & 25B (Tauranga)
SOCIO101Introduction to Sociology This paper prepares students for further study in a range of social science subjects. It introduces the main sociological theories, concepts and...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Secondary School - Unistart) & 25B (Tauranga)
SOCIO102The Sociology of Crime, Deviance and Social Justice This paper provides students with an introduction to criminology and the criminal justice system, with a focus on the New Zealand context.	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
SOCPY100Introduction to Social Policy This paper examines the values behind social policy and introduces students to some of the important issues and debates in New Zealand and other...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Secondary School - Unistart) & 25A (Tauranga)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
SOCIO20121st Century Activism and Radical Thought This paper will offer insight into the historical legacies of systemic racism, sexism and class oppression by taking an in-depth look at key issues...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
SOCIO203Popular Culture This paper offers a sociological perspective on historical and contemporary forms of popular culture.	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
SOCIO204Punishment, Society and Social Justice This subject will provide students with a critical understanding of the theoretical, political and policy issues associated with societies' response...	15	25B (Hamilton)
SOCIO206Environmental Sociology: From Denial to Actions The environment and climate are as much about human activity, economic and political choices as scientific information. Thinking sociologically, not...	15	25A (Online)
SOCPY200Social Policy and Social Issues The paper continues the study of social policy at 200 level. The focus of this paper is on the welfare state, the policy cycle as well as social...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
ALPSS390Directed Study This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology, and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their...	15	25X (Hamilton)
GNSEX303Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities This paper provides a comprehensive review of the historical context for understanding contemporary issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social...	15	25A (Hamilton)
SOCIO303Big Tech, Big Data, Algorithms and Society Thinking sociologically about digital technologies: algorithms in social life, surveillance, disinformation, the gig economy and precarity. What does...	15	25A (Online)
SOCIO305Human Enhancement Technologies and Social Life This paper analyses the causes and impacts of technologies of human enhancement on individuals and societies. The paper addresses issues such as...	15	25A (Online)
SOCIO306Sport and Popular Culture Physical culture ('sport') has long been an integral part of our social and cultural fabric. Sport consumption shapes our identities in multiple and...	15	No occurrences
SOCIO311Current Issues in Crime Control and Social Justice This paper examines sociological explanations for criminal behaviour and examines issues within criminal justice.	15	25G (Online)
SOCPY300Applied Social Policy This paper provides students with experience of the ways in which policy is formulated and enacted. Theoretical perspectives are consolidated and...	15	25B (Online)
SOCPY301Health, Wellbeing and Policy This paper provides a critical introduction to key issues in the formation of health policy at both a national and international level.	15	25A (Online)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
ALPSS500Academic & Professional Research & Writing In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills...	30	25A (Online) & 25B (Online)
ALPSS590Directed Study This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their...	30	25X (Hamilton)
ALPSS591Research Project A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum).	30	25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
ALPSS592Dissertation A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum).	60	25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
ANTHY515Ethnographic Research Methods This paper provides an in depth introduction to ethnographic research, including its ethical, theoretical, and methodical components.	30	25A (Hamilton)
GEOGY500People, Place, Power This paper is a forum for debate in geographies of people and power. Key concerns are the intersections between gender, Māori, Indigeneity...	30	25A (Online)
HSHUP507Social Sciences of Sport, Active Recreation and Coaching Students will be introduced to key theories used for the social scientific study of sport, active recreation and coaching. Attention will be paid to...	30	25A (Online)
MAORI570Te Mahi Rangahau: Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Research Methods and Issues This paper introduces students to a range of research issues, helps students identify and apply the most effective methodology, understand, review...	30	25A (Online)
MAORI571Decolonising Theory and Indigenous Studies A seminar programme on indigenous consciousness, knowledge, values and ethics and their applications to contemporary issues such as research ethics...	30	25B (Online)
MEDIA501Critical and Creative Approaches to Research This paper identifies the constraints and freedoms of research methods, and places a strong emphasis on research as an intellectual, theoretical, and...	30	25A (Hamilton)
MNGMT581Research Methods in Management Studies This paper aims to introduce students to the assumptions underlying the different methodologies and methods for performing research in the social...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25B (Hamilton) & 25C (Hamilton)
PACIS500Critical Pacific Studies This paper provides an opportunity to critically engage the foundational ideas, texts, theoretical work, methods and perspectives of Pacific studies...	30	25B (Hamilton)
POPST501Population Health and Equity This paper explores population health in Aotearoa/New Zealand and internationally, emphasising the broader determinants of wellbeing and equity. It...	30	25A (Hamilton)
SOCIO501Knowing Bodies This paper examines interdisciplinary understandings of bodies in social and cultural contexts, drawing from sociology of health and illness, gender...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
SOCIO593Sociology Thesis An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.	90	25X (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
SOCIO800Sociology MPhil Thesis	120	25X (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
SOCIO900Sociology PhD Thesis	120	25I (Hamilton) & 25J (Hamilton) & 25K (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)

2025 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 5 Apr 2025 01:00am

SociologySubject regulations

Other qualifications

GradCert(Socy) and GradDip(Socy)

PGCert(Socy), PGDip(Socy), BA(Hons), BSocSc(Hons), MA and MSocSc

MPhil

PhD

Sociology papers