This programme is designed to provide students with a sound knowledge and understanding of sociological concepts and approaches to the study of contemporary society. It aims to equip students with the analytic concepts and methods to research the social world. The degree aims to produce skilled graduates who are innovative and have a sophisticated understanding of past and present societies and cultures. Students are given an opportunity to explore key aspects of society whilst learning the theoretical models and methodological frameworks used to analyse social institutions, structures interactions and processes.

2.1 Normal Entry

 At least five (5) ‘O’ levels including English Language and Mathematics with Grade C or better and at least two (2) Advanced level passes in Arts, Humanities or Commercials OR Relevant National Certificate.

2.2 Special Entry

A candidate who does not meet normal entry requirements may be admitted into a programme provided the candidate has a qualification in line with the Zimbabwe National Qualification Framework (ZNQF).

2.3 Mature Entry

Mature entry shall be obtained by applicants who have five (5) ‘O’ levels including English Language and have demonstrable work experience during the last five years before the academic year in which admission is sought, and are aged 25 years and above.

4.1 Employability:    Opportunities exist in the private and public sectors in social welfare and humanitarian aid provision, the criminal justice system and policing institutions, marketing, tourism, social research, media, development work, policy development and analysis, Non and Inter-Governmental Organisations, youth work, health services management, monitoring and evaluation, housing management and human resource management.

4.2 Further Studies:  Masters and doctoral studies in Sociology and Anthropology.

PROGRAMME DELIVERY 

The programme includes:

• Lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work, presentations, public lectures, guest lecturers,  assisted private studies and field trips.
• Written and oral examinations, tests, work-related learning, seminar presentations, mini-research dissertations, final year dissertations, continuous assessment, work-related learning reports, work-related learning supervision and assessment.

Level 1 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
SOC 131	Introduction to Sociology	12
SOC 139	Introduction to Anthropology I	12
PSY 132	Introduction to Psychology	12
CS 131	Basic Communication Skills	12
HCS 135	Introduction to Information Technology	12
PSY 133	Introduction to Social Psychology	12

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Level 1 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
SOC 110	Social Institutions	12
PPM 131	Introduction to Political Theory	12
SOC 111	Introduction to Anthropology II	12
PSY 119	Contemporary and Applied Social Psychology	12
SOC 107	Social Problems	12

Elective Modules (Choose one):

Code	Module Description	Credits
HRM 117	Principles of Human Resource Management	12
SOC 108	Sociology of the Family	12

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Level 2 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
SOC 201	Qualitative Research Methods	12
SOC 210	Classical Social Theory	12
SOC 214	Sociology of Development	12
ENT 205	Entrepreneurship 1	12
GSSS 201	Gender Studies for Social Sciences	12

Elective Modules (Choose one):

Code	Module Description	Credits
SOC 211	Sociology of Human Sexuality	12
SOC 213	Crime and Deviance	12
SOC 204	Social Movements	12

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Level 2 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
SOC 215	Sociology of Health and Medicine	12
SOC 206	Quantitative Research Methods	12
SOC 207	Contemporary Social Theory	12
SOC 208	Sociology of Organisations	12
SOC 216	Sociology of Sport	12

Elective Modules (Choose one):

Code	Module Description	Credits
MSS 218	Principles of Public Relations	12
SOC 212	Sociology of Violence	12

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Level 3 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
SOC 330	Work-Related Learning Placement Report	40

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Level 3 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
SOC 331	Students’ Work-Related Learning Report	30
SOC 342	Academic Supervisor’s Report	20
SOC 343	Employer’s Assessment Report	30

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Level 4 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
SOC 414	Sociology of the Environment	12
SOC 415	Social Policy and Administration	12
SOC 416	Labour Studies	12
SOC 417	Migration	12
SOC 418	Rural and Urban Development	12

Elective Modules (Choose one):

Code	Module Description	Credits
SOC 408	Social Gerontology: Ageing and Society	12
SOC 409	Drugs and Society	12
SOC 412	Gender and Power	12

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Level 4 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
SOC 401	Race, Class and Identities	12
SOC 406	Dissertation	24
SOC 410	Project Planning, Management, Monitoring and Evaluation	12
SOC 413	Economy, Society, and Governance	12

 MODULE SYNOPSES

SOC131 Introduction to Sociology

In this module, students gain a theoretical foundation for understanding social issues. The module begins with a discussion of the theoretical origins of Sociology, its key concepts, similarities and differences with other social science subjects. Students are expected to acquire critical, analytical and practical skills that will also serve them in other social science modules as well. Students are introduced to some critical evaluation of discourse on the nature, antecedents and trends in sociological theorising.

PSY132 Introduction to Psychology

The module introduces students to the fundamental principles of Psychology. It is designed to not only provide the tools necessary to study human behaviour and mental processes but to also present a sample of the major areas of Psychology as a discipline. The module explores the integrative domains of Psychology inclusive of biological, evolutionary, cognitive, developmental, social and clinical psychology. There will be a comprehensive coverage of core concepts, which are grounded in both classic studies, and in current and emerging research, including reference to the DSM-5 in discussions of psychological disorders. The emphasis of the module is two-fold: Firstly, to enable students to appreciate the diversity and richness of the discipline of Psychology; Secondly, to acquaint students with important principles, theories, concepts and findings in Psychology.

 SOC139 Introduction to Anthropology I

This module provides an introductory overview of Social Anthropology. A scientific analysis of forms of society, family, kinship, ethnicity and identity, economic and political relationships, consumption and exchange, rites of passage, meaning and cultural performances, social patterns and practices across societies and cultures, with a special interest in how people live in particular places and how they organize, govern and create meanings will be examined in this module. The module also examines the origins, development and cultural similarities and differences of the aforementioned practices and beliefs. This module challenges students to engage with other ways of knowing and being, and to rethink often taken-for-granted knowledge and beliefs.

PSY 133 Introduction to Social Psychology

This module builds students’ knowledge of the scientific understanding of the nature and causes of individual and group behaviour and thought processes in social settings. It studies concepts that enable an understanding of the way people think about, feel, and behave, and how they influence and are influenced by others. Students are introduced to perspectives, research methods, and empirical findings of Social Psychology. Topics covered include impression formation, conformity, prosocial behaviour, interpersonal attraction, persuasion, stereotyping and prejudice. Throughout the module, emphasis will be placed on developing critical and integrative ways of thinking about theory and research in social psychology.

SOC110 Social Institutions

This module develops learners’ sense of themselves as part of society. It uses a sociological approach, which encourages learners to ask questions about the social world in which we live and to use evidence to support explanations for human social behaviour. The module equips learners with knowledge and understanding of the sociological perspectives, theories and concepts used to investigate and explain aspects of the social world. The module offers opportunities for learners to actively investigate human society, and social institutions such as the family, education and religion.

PPM131 Introduction to Political Theory

The module explores the discipline of Political Science as a science in Social Studies with a focus on the study of processes, principles and structures of governments and political institutions.

PSY119 Contemporary and Applied Social Psychology

The module focuses on various challenges that Social Psychology can help to address. Topics covered include attitudes and attitude change, prejudice and discrimination, aggression, conflict and conflict resolution, group behaviour, social psychology in politics, law and health. Social psychological research has discovered basic human tendencies, such as the tendency to conform to social norms, and has also produced a vast range of applied studies that assist in addressing urgent topics from a socio-psychological perspective. This module helps students apply basic principles from Social Psychology to their field of interest, and to find, understand, interpret and use more specialized, applied research findings.

SOC111 Introduction to Anthropology II

This module places emphasis on politics, religion, ideologies, globalization and post-colonial anthropology. The linkage between politics and religion is examined in detail, tracing them from the pre-colonial era up to the post-colonial era. Different ideologies are analysed and how they affect people over time and across space. The module concludes by examining globalisation and its impact on socio-economic, political as well as cultural value systems in different societies.

SOC107 Social Problems

The module comparatively examines the linkages among social structures, culture and human experiences in the context of globalisation processes. Students examine a variety of topics which may include: the unequal distribution of power and wealth; issues of sex, sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity and social class; hunger; the role of multinational corporations; war and international conflict; oppression of various kinds; crime; poverty; the media; other social institutions; resource/environmental use and depletion and population.

SOC108 Sociology of the Family

The different kinds of families and marriages are analysed taking into account the influence of globalisation. The module tackles aspects of marriage and family such as bride -wealth, dowry, kinship, divorce, remarriage and family law. This module studies the family from a sociological perspective with a primary emphasis on continuity and change and variation across different historical eras. It examines the diversity of family life and how constellations of intimacy and care are shaped by gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexuality.

CS131 Basic Communication Skills

Refer to regulations for the Department of Communication Skills.

HRM117 Principles of Human Resource Management

Refer to regulations for the Department of Human Resource Management.

HCS135 Introduction to Information Technology

Refer to regulations for the Department of Information Technology.

SOC201 Qualitative Research Methods

The module exposes students to the qualitative research paradigm. It discusses salient issues of practicality, ethics and politics in the research process. The course also delivers transferrable skills including critical reflections, the ability to interpret qualitative data and the ability to present ideas coherently. Included in this course is a wide range of qualitative research and data collection methodologies, which are currently used in development research and practice. Teaching methods will include group work, exercises as well as lectures and discussions.

SOC 204 Social Movements

This module addresses issues about collective protests, movements, dissidence etc. Students shall be equipped with sociological theories on the emergence and trajectories of social movements as well as understanding the similarities and differences between historical and modern social movements. Case studies of global, regional and national social movements by the working class, civil rights activism, nationalism, feminism, environmentalism, poor peoples’ movements and urban riots shall be used.

SOC207 Contemporary Social Theory

The module creates an appreciation of the centrality of social theory in sociology and the analysis of social phenomena. Students develop an ability to apply sociological theories in the analysis of everyday phenomena. The module builds up on previous social theory modules and is meant to give students an in-depth understanding of contemporary theories and developments in the arena of social theory.

SOC206 Quantitative Research Methods

The module lays the basis for the development of competencies in quantitative research methods and statistics. Emphasis is placed on the theoretical framework of quantitative research methodology, and the acquisition of statistical concepts.

SOC208 Sociology of Organisations

The module acquaints students with sociological issues of organizations. It intends to encourage students to apply sociological theories and to critically analyse organizations in their different cultural environments.

GSSS201 Gender Studies for Social Sciences

This module is an introductory module focused on giving students a broad understanding of the discipline of Gender Studies, its subject matter, key issues and concepts. It is designed to help students develop a critical understanding of basic gender issues as well as prepare them to be agents of change, particularly in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe. In so doing GSSS 201 adopts an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach that takes as its subject matter all aspects of the human experience in a gendered world, viewing gender as a field of study, analytical tool and a social phenomenon structuring the social world itself. 

SOC210 Classical Social Theory

The module appraises students on the significance of the main theoretical and epistemological underpinnings in the discipline. It reviews classical sociological theory. It also creates a practical application of social theory as students are set to acquire skills to enable them to have a critical approach to social phenomena in real life.

SOC211 Sociology of Human Sexuality

The module examines the different theoretical approaches to the study of human sexuality and their underlying assumptions. The module focuses on sexual identity and orientation, the impact of changing gender relations on sexuality and sociological influences that shape human sexual behavior. The module also examines historical and cross-cultural case studies on how different societies approach sexuality, construct its meaning and provide ‘sexual scripts’.

SOC212 Sociology of Violence

The module examines the nature and causes of violence in the context of contemporary society and how the structure of society itself, as well as various social factors, contribute to violence. This module further explores types of violent behaviour, including interpersonal, collective and organisational.

SOC213 Crime and Deviance

The module explores the contemporary debate surrounding society, crime, juvenile delinquency, deviance, conformity and social control. It also addresses the key issues and relationships between society, crime, deviance and the governmental and judicial responses to them.

SOC214 Sociology of Development

The module gives students an understanding of emerging sociological debates in Development. Students are exposed to a critical analysis of debates surrounding development in both Western and non-Western societies at both the macro and micro levels. The module also assesses macro and micro-scale development processes from a sociocultural perspective.

SOC215 Sociology of Medicine and Healthcare

This module provides an introduction to the ways in which the medical profession and medical technology are embedded in society and culture. It examines how medicine is connected to various socio-cultural factors such as gender, social class, race and administrative culture. It examines processes of medicalization and de-medicalization. The module also explores alternative medical practices and how they differ from conventional medical paradigms.

SOC216 Sociology of Sport

This module examines sport in modern societies with close attention paid to the distinctive features of sport in Zimbabwe. The aim of this module is to understand the socio-cultural patterns in the organisation, participation, and mediation of sport and sporting practices and to familiarise students with their respective implications. It examines the relationship between sport and the economic, political and educational institutions. Contemporary issues, including racial and gender inequality, violence, drugs/doping and sport media shall also be considered.

MSS 218 Principles of Public Relations

Refer to regulations for the Department of Media and Society Studies.

ENT205 Entrepreneurship 1

Refer to regulations for the Department of Entrepreneurial Studies.

SOC330 Work-Related Learning Placement Report

The students will submit a comprehensive work placement report which shows their understanding of the organisation placed.

SOC341 Work-Related Learning Report

As part of the examination, the students will be required to submit a comprehensive academic report of their work-related learning experience to the department and it will be marked and awarded a mark that will be ratified by the departmental examinations board.

SOC342 Work-Related Academic Supervisor’s Report

As part of the examination, the students will be assessed and awarded a mark by the academic supervisor and this will be presented to the departmental examinations board for processing of final marks.

SOC343 Work-Related Learning Supervisor’s Report

The employer will assess the student and award a mark which will be presented to the departmental

examinations board for processing of final marks.

SOC401 Race, Class and Identities

The module provides a unique perspective to understanding how groups of people from different races, classes, ethnic groups or other cultures interact. It focuses on cultural diversity and various dimensions of discrimination and prejudice, including an analysis of inequality and its origins, conditions under which inequality occurs and persists, changing inequality, and ways to deal with minority group problems in social institutions including education, employment, housing, migration and policing and the impact of anti-discrimination legislation.

SOC406 Dissertation

This is a double module and students are expected to put into conduct research putting into practice methodological issues they were taught in various research modules. The idea is to enable students to understand and provide practical solutions to social problems bedevilling society at any given time.

SOC408 Social Gerontology: Ageing and Society

The module focuses on ageing with emphasis on demographic trends, individual aspects of ageing such as family and social support networks, retirement and adaptation to ageing. Particular emphasis is given to issues surrounding ageing and society including the economy, politics, health and social services and public policy i.e. both nationally and at the local level. Specific African case studies shall be utilised.

SOC409 Drugs and Society

This module focuses on the social reality of drug use and drug users. It explores the historical significance and social construction of drug use, users, abuse and addiction. Special emphasis shall also be made on the relationships between individual and group behaviour and their relationship to society. In addition, this module analyses issues surrounding drug use and its relationship to crime and medicalisation in society.

SOC410 Project Planning, Management, Monitoring and Evaluation

The module introduces students to the concepts, procedures, tools and techniques of project planning, management, monitoring and evaluation. It familiarises students with key principles and practices in the management, monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian and development projects and equips students with financial and project management skills appropriate for entry-level employment in a development agency. It describes the management approaches of key players in the development process; the donors, implementing agencies and recipients.

SOC412 Gender and Power

This module builds on the foundations laid in GS201 Introduction to Gender. The module focuses specifically on sociological concepts and constructs that explore the gendered terms upon which power dynamics play out. The module looks at how gender categories are constructed and re-negotiated over time as well as shifting power dynamics in different institutions. The module also situates gender within race, class and power configurations in different contexts.

SOC413 Economy, Society and Governance

The module provides students with an understanding of how the three are linked to each other. The main aim is to look at how the economy affects society and how it is governed and vice-versa. Students are exposed to examples from African as well as non-African societies at both the macro and micro levels. The module explores how the three affect social life in different ways.

SOC414 Sociology of the Environment

This is a development module that mainly focuses on people and the environment. It aims to expose students to various aspects of development with a view to offer an in-depth understanding of sustainable development and livelihoods. Through this module, students develop an appreciation of the need to conserve the locally available natural resources through a variety of strategies. Students are expected to use theoretical frameworks in making informed arguments on the dialectal relationship between people and the environment.

SOC415 Social Policy and Administration

This module provides students with an understanding of the contemporary debates and issues in the field of social policy and administration, with special reference to the African context. It highlights theoretical as well as technical concerns in the process of public policy analysis and formulation. The module encourages students to understand policy within the broad arena of governance and emerging democratic practice in chosen African countries. The impact of globalisation on policy processes and outcomes are also analysed.

SOC416 Labour Studies

The module introduces basic themes and issues in the study of labour and technology. The module examines work and labour markets in a global context and the dynamics of contemporary technological change in the social and economic position of labour. The module allows students to explore the basic issues regarding technological innovation, industrial democracy, labour migration and the new social movements. Issues of gender, class and age are also examined in this broad analytical framework.

SOC417 Migration

The module examines various theories of migration and looks at the causes and socio-economic impacts of migration particularly on developing countries. The module looks at local, regional and global patterns of migration, whilst considering the different ways in which migration has been studied and theorised. Students are introduced to a number of key concepts and debates in contemporary migration research, as well as a range of empirical examples.

SOC418 Rural and Urban Development

This module provides students with in-depth knowledge of contemporary issues related to Rural and Urban Development. Furthermore, it aims at developing the students’ critical thinking abilities through exposure to a variety of developmental theories.