Politics and Sociology (Hons)

Overview

At the core of your second year are modules dealing with the history of political thought, as well as a focus on British, foreign and domestic policy. In your final year a politics research dissertation on an agreed topic of your choice counts for a substantial and challenging part of your Politics strand of the Politics and Sociology (Hons) course offered at the Aston University. 

The Sociology strand of the course will provide you with an in-depth understanding of social processes, social change, organisational dynamics and inter-group relationships.  You will complete introductory and intermediate modules in research methods in preparation for designing your own independent research project in the Final Year.

 You will also take courses that deal with more complex issues including the relationship between science and ‘race’, reproductive politics, corporate power, climate change, ageing, religion and media power.In your final year a politics research dissertation on an agreed topic of your choice counts for a substantial and challenging part of your programme.

Placement year

The Placement Year is optional for students studying Politics and Sociology. Unlike some other universities, the placement year at Aston is not a ''bolt-on'' year, it is an integral part of your degree for which you are prepared in your second year. 

A distinctive feature of our placement year is the flexibility that we offer. You will be able to choose between undertaking a paid work-experience placement with a company, or working as a teaching assistant in a school (either in the UK or abroad) - you might even choose to combine two of these options.