This programme is designed to:

• Provide students with a sound knowledge and understanding of sociological concepts and approaches to the study of contemporary society.
• Equip students with the analytic concepts and methods to research the social world. 
• Produce skilled graduates who are innovative and have a sophisticated understanding of past and present societies and cultures. 
• Give students 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. 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Normal Entry

Prospective students must comply with Section 3.1 of the General Regulations. 

Entry requirements are any two ‘A’ Level subjects. An ‘A’ level pass in Sociology is an added advantage. Prospective students should also possess five ‘O’ level passes including English Language with a grade of C or better and Mathematics with a grade of E or better. 

Special Entry

Refer to Section 3.2 of the General Regulations.

Mature Entry 

As laid out in Section 3.3 of the General Regulations, persons who are at least 25 years of age for males and 23 years for females on the first day of the academic year in which admission is sought and who are not eligible for entry under the Normal or Special Entry Regulations may apply for Mature Entry provided that: 

• Applicants must have passed at least five approved ‘O’ Level subjects including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalents) and must have demonstrated potential suitability for University studies by virtue of their attainments and/or relevant work experience. 
• Applicants have ideally completed their full-time school or college education at least five years before the start of the academic year in which admission is sought. 
• If deemed necessary applicants attend interviews and/or special tests at the University designed to assess their command of the English Language, numeracy and reasoning ability and general suitability for admission to the Bachelor’s degree.

Applicants who have previously attended Mature Entry tests and/or interviews without success will not be considered for admissions under this form of entry unless in the intervening period they have acquired additional qualifications and/ or experience.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Opportunities exist in the private and public sectors in social welfare and humanitarian aid provision, 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.

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.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Level 1 Semester 1 

Code Module Description Credits

SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology 12

SOC 102 Introduction to Social Anthropology 12

PSY 102 Introduction to Psychology 12

CS 101 Communication Skills 12

HCS 115 Introduction to Information Technology 12

PSY 103  Social Psychology 12

Level 1 Semester 2

SOC 103 Sociology of Change and Development 12

SOC 104 Urban Sociology 12

SOC 105 Rural Development 12

SOC 106 Health, Technology and Culture 12

SOC 107 Social Problems 12

Elective Modules (choose one)

HRM 117 Principles of Human Resource Management 12

SOC 108 Sociology of the Family 12

Level 2 Semester 1

SOC 201 Qualitative Research Methods 12

SOC 202 Classical Sociological Theory 12

SOC 203 Social Policy and Social Administration 12

ENT 205 Entrepreneurship 1 12

GS    201 Introduction to Gender Studies 12

Elective Modules (choose one)

SOC 211 Sociology of Human Sexuality 12

SOC 213 Crime and Deviance 12

Level 2 Semester 2

SOC 204 Social Movements 12

SOC 206 Quantitative Research Methods 12

SOC 207 Contemporary Social Theory 12

SOC 208 Sociology of Organisations 12

SOC 209 Environmental Sociology 12

Elective Modules (choose one)

MSS 218 Principles of Public Relations 12

SOC 212 Sociology of Violence 12

Level 3 Semester 1 and 2: Work Related Learning

SOC 301 Students’ Work Related learning Report 45

SOC 302 Academic Supervisor’s Report 45

SOC 303 Employer’s Assessment Report 30

Level 4 Semester 1

SOC 401 Race, Class and Identities 12

SOC 402 Migration 12

SOC 403 Sociology of Law 12

SOC 404 Sociology of Work and Employment 12

SOC 411 African Social Theory 12

Elective Modules (choose one)

SOC 407 Sociology of Sport 12

SOC 408 Social Gerontology: Ageing and Society 12

SOC 409 Drugs and Society 12

Level 4 Semester 2

SOC 405 Global Poverty and Development 12

SOC 406 Dissertation 24

SOC 410 Project Planning, Management and

Monitoring and Evaluation 12

SOC 412 Gender and Power 12

*elective modules are dependent on staff availability

MODULE SYNOPSES

SOC101 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

This module is an introduction to the discipline of sociology. It equips the student with basic tools for an understanding of theoretical and methodological issues in sociology. In this module, students learn to understand the social system and how it shapes and influences individuals and how individuals in turn shape and influence these social systems. Students learn the concepts, theories and sociological perspectives of this rich and diverse social science discipline. 

SOC102 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY

This module provides an exciting and dynamic introduction to the world of social anthropology. Students shall be introduced to the anthropological study of how man gives meaning to the world through different social norms, values, practices and means of organisation. The module is informed by the writings of anthropologists such as Malinowski, Levi-Strauss, Taylor and Margaret Mead. Topics to be covered include kinship; witchcraft; rituals and rites of passage; gender and identity and the impact of globalisation on ethnicity.

SOC103 SOCIOLOGY OF CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT

In this module students appreciate the various causes of change in society and how such change affects the development of society. Areas of study include major concepts and indicators of social change, major sources of social and cultural change in Africa and the world, planned and unplanned social change and resistance to social change. Discussions will be informed by theories and models of social change such as the evolutionary theory, conflict theory; diffusion theories; modernization, world system theory, and globalization. 

HRM117 PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The module is intended to enable students to understand and appreciate the origins and current role of human resource management and the academic debates around the future direction of the occupation. Students will appreciate the distinction between the Industrial Relations model and the HRM model with regard to the relationship between workers and their unions on one hand and the management and owner of businesses on the other hand. The module exposes students to some of the key theories and approaches to HRM. It also explores the philosophy of Human Resource Management vis-a-vis Traditional Personnel Management.

SOC104 URBAN SOCIOLOGY

The module focuses on how people in urban areas interact and the various opportunities and challenges brought about by processes of urbanisation. Students shall examine the ways in which urban areas have been shaped; analyse the growth, development and planning of residential areas and new towns. The module also analyses and discusses urbanization in Africa and developing countries. The debates will be informed by the writings of from Chicago School, as well as the urban sociologists such as Loic Wacquant and Zygmant Bauman on urban marginality.

PSY102 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

This module is designed to introduce students to basic terms, concepts and fields of study in psychology. Topics include; Physiological bases of behaviour, Consciousness, Sensation and Perception, Intelligence, Learning and Psychological Disorders.

SOC105 RURAL DEVELOPMENT 

Students shall be exposed to various ways that have been used in developing rural areas especially in Africa. Theoretical perspectives and classical approaches to studies of rural communities such as Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Actor Oriented Approach shall inform the debates. The module also explores topics such as rural livelihoods, pastoralism, resource management, peasantry, rural-to-migration, land tenure systems, integration into the informal and global economy. 

HRM101 MANAGEMENT AND LABOUR

The module serves as the basis of introducing students to key theories and concepts of the evolution of management and labour issues. At the end of the module students are expected to understand the hostilities that exist between management and labour and be able to think critically, analyse the innate conflict between the two groups and come up with solutions of managing the conflict. Students will appreciate the origins of various approaches and models that shape the discipline of people management.

CS101 COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Refer to regulations for the department of Communication Skills.

HCS115 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Refer to regulations for the department of Information Technology.

SOC106 HEALTH, TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE

Students shall get an opportunity to examine illness as a phenomenon which both influences and is influenced by society. As such, it can be viewed as a form of social deviance, which patients, healers and the larger society attempt to reduce. Alternative medicines are also studied in order to have an understanding of health and illness behaviour, health practitioners and health institutions. 

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 shall be 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 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.

 

PSY103 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

The module is an introduction to understanding how human behaviour and experience is shaped by environmental factors such as people, events and situations. Topics include Social Perception, Social Cognition, Attitudes, Prejudice and Discrimination, Social Influence, Groups and Individuals.

SOC201 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

The module examines qualitative research methods from theoretical, applied and ethical points of view. It acquaints students with qualitative methods and procedures used to understand and explore human behaviour as well as gather and analyse data, and evaluate and report on the findings. Such methods include ethnography, participant observation and unstructured interviewing. 

SOC202 CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

The module traces the history of sociological thought analysing classical sociological theories in depth starting with the enlightenment era. It covers major sociological movements, including Social Darwinism, determinism, Functionalism, Marxism and Frame analysis. Major classical theorists including Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx and Max Weber shall also be studied in depth.

SOC203 SOCIAL POLICY AND SOCIAL ADMINISTRATION

The module explores the various policies such as housing, education etc. and how these are administered giving special emphasis to Zimbabwe. It also explores issues of popular and community participation in the administration of social policies in Zimbabwe discussing the challenges and successes of these.

 SOC204 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.

GSSS201 GENDER STUDIES FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES

Refer to regulations for the Department of Peace Studies.

SOC206 QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

The module examines quantitative research methods from theoretical, applied and ethical points of view. It acquaints students with quantitative methods and procedures used to understand human behaviour as well as gather and analyse data, and evaluate and report on the findings using quantitative research techniques. Methods and software programmes of statistical analysis such as the chi-square, correlations, ANOVA, regression analysis and SPSS shall be covered. 

SOC207 CONTEMPOARY SOCIAL THEORY 

This module builds on the foundation created by SOC202 Classical Sociological Theory. The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of the distinctiveness and the value of various sociological perspectives. The module analyses how leading sociologists discuss contemporary social challenges as globalisation, multiculturalism and crime. It explains how contemporary theoretical approaches and concepts have identified fundamental cultural and social changes that have transformed the nature of contemporary society. 

SOC208 SOCIOLOGY OF ORGANISATIONS

The module forms the basis for understanding the functioning of modern organisations. The module discusses various ways of analysing organisations such as; organisations as rational systems, organisations as irrational systems, technology and organisations, various theories of organisations, gender, race and politics in organisations and organisational deviance.

SOC209 ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY

The analysis of interaction of human beings and the environment is the major task of this module. The module examines environmental problems and their impacts on people and populations. Topics include the environment and its links to public health, famine, disease, access to food, water, and other resources, migration and urbanization, technology, biodiversity, education, economic development, population growth and national security and global stability. 

MSS 218 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

Definition of terms; the history and evolution of public relations. (PR); PR and related disciplines (marketing, advertising; journalism and propaganda); PR as planned communication; Principles; Principles of effective communication; Public opinion; PR ethics; Research in PR; Publicity techniques; the place of PR in management; PR and the mass media, Theory and practice of political PR; advocacy and PR, PR campaign criteria and approaches and crisis management.

SOC211 SOCIOLOGY OF HUMAN SEXUALITY

The module examines the different theoretical approaches to the study of human sexuality and their underlying assumptions. The module will focus on sexual identity and orientation, the impact of changing gender relations on sexuality and sociological influences that shape human sexual behavior. The module will also examine 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 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.

ENT205 ENTREPRENEURSHIP 1

Refer to regulations for the department of Entrepreneurial Studies.

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.

SOC402 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. 

SOC403 SOCIOLOGY OF LAW

This module is designed as a sociological examination of law both as a mechanism of social regulation and as a field of knowledge. It explores classical and contemporary theoretical contributions to Sociology of Law. Some specific issues analysed include law and social control, law and social change, social reality of the law, the profession and practice of law, violence against women and the influence of race, gender, and social status in the outcome of legal decisions.

SOC404 SOCIOLOGY OF WORK AND EMPLOYMENT

This module brings comparative, historical, and theoretical perspectives to understanding contemporary transformations of work and employment in the ‘new economy’ with particular emphasis on the United States, Western Europe, Asia and Africa. Topics to be covered include Fordism and post-Fordism; scientific management and mass production; flexible specialization and lean production; new forms of work organization; the relationship between technology and workforce skills; household labour and women’s employment job stability and the growth of non-standard forms of employment.

SOC405 GLOBAL POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENT

The module analyses the social dimensions of poverty and explores development strategies to address poverty in a global setting. The focus is on how and why some countries achieve poverty reduction and development while others do not. The module pays particular attention to the political economy of development, investigating the way that poverty and development are conceived both philosophically and practically. 

SOC406 DISSERTATION

Students shall research on any topic of their interest under the guidance of supervisors chosen by the department.

SOC407 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. 

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. 

SOC411 AFRICAN SOCIAL THEORY

This module builds on the foundation created by SOC202. The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of the distinctiveness and the value of various Afrocentric perspectives. The module analyses African epistemologies, which include Post Colonialism, Ubuntu, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and African Renaissance. Students shall explore the role of race and ethnicity during colonialism and engage texts on race and racism such as Aime Cesaire, Frantz Fanon, and Steve Biko.

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.