Sociology Diploma (Level 3)

Embark on a transformative learning journey with the UK’s most innovative home study provider, offering courses designed to unlock your true potential and facilitate the career change you desire. Access our distance learning courses directly from anywhere, anytime, and acquire industry-recognised Professional Qualifications essential for advancing in your career.

Specifically, explore the flexible and convenient Sociology (Level 3) course, an ideal way to gain a diploma qualification. Whether you aim for further education, improved job prospects, or expanded knowledge, this comprehensive course allows you to prepare thoroughly for exams or careers through home study. Plus, it’s structured to be accessible and beneficial even if you have no prior knowledge in Sociology.

Embark on a profound exploration of society and its intricate workings through our Sociology Diploma course, designed to elevate your understanding of social behaviour. This course transcends everyday assumptions, offering a critical lens to analyse societal structures. As a social science, sociology employs diverse research techniques to delve into the complexities of human behaviour within the broader social context. Unveiling the mysteries of mass media, it questions why different newspapers present distinct interpretations of daily life, encouraging you to challenge preconceived notions.

This course serves as an intellectual journey, challenging and expanding your existing assumptions about society. It facilitates the development of informed opinions on pressing social issues, laying the groundwork for a nuanced perspective. Specifically tailored for individuals in the Caring Professions, it proves invaluable for those interested in pursuing Health, Welfare, or Social Work courses at the degree level.

Our diploma level course recognises the diverse educational backgrounds of participants, making it particularly suitable for individuals seeking to re-engage with formal education. Whether you’ve been out of touch with academic pursuits or are considering a return to more structured study, this course is adept at nurturing your learning skills. Moreover, it complements other diploma programs like Psychology and Counselling, allowing you to pursue a holistic understanding of human behaviour and society. Join us on this enlightening journey to deepen your insights into sociology and cultivate a foundation for future educational pursuits.

QLS & OPA

Digital certificate - Included

the Sociology (Level 3) course is divided into 10 modules.

Module 1: Introduction to Sociology: The Subject Matter of Sociology
Sociology is defined as the systematic study of humans and how they interact together to form a society. A variety of research studies are conducted to link how society behaves such as in education, as a family, what we eat and buy. Most of the surveys we hear about involve social scientific research so polling votes, views within family life, how we manage money, what we buy and how we shop. All of these issues are affected by human behaviour, our values and how we are affected by what we learn, from our family and mass media, an example would be an activity which compares the content of two very different newspapers.

Module 2: Theoretical Approaches to Sociology: Culture and Identity
Research is done in Sociology to identify common trends and patterns, but also to identify anomalies, what is different and out of the ordinary. The main theorists who developed Sociology as a subject and how it developed historically over the past 200 years is examined. It is considered quite a young subject. The main theories studies are Functionalism or the smooth running of society; Social Interactionism or the impact of individuals and Marxism which looks at the disparity of society with the rich and powerful.

Module 3: Sociology and the Family (Part 1)
Everyone is born into a family and so this institution is used as a medium of social interaction. This experience can be good or bad and change though out life, and is influenced by media images that show what a ‘perfect family’ ought to be. However, this has changed as family life has changed and the media allows us to experience how different people live in the modern world. The movement of people, ease of travel and growth of access to different media means that we can today see family life in the most remote society. Even the essence of what a family is has changed, for example two white homosexual men parenting two children from Asian and Africa.

Module 4: Sociology and the Family (Part 2)
As already stated family life has changed and a key change within it is the role of women. Although still not equal to men, there is no longer an expectation that women must marry, have children and stay at home to look after the family. Divorce is more common and when children are involved this further changes what is considered to be a norm in family make-up. How each socialist theory fits into the perceptions of family is considered.

Module 5: Sociology and Education (Part 1)
Laws exist to allow Education for everyone in the UK such as the Education Act 1944. Primary education is now universally available as it teaches basic academic skills for functioning in a society. Education is contentious and even when models such as those in Scandinavia have been found to work exceptionally well, there is still an never-ending amount of research about Education in the UK, which have developed many different theories about effective or problems within Education.

Module 6: Sociology and Education (Part 2)
This module concentrates on the education of the different genders though a look at statistics from various sociological research. It is widely accepted that females are now doing better than males. This has caused many changes, though equality is still an issue in each example, such as equal pay, women earning more than men, having children later or deciding not to be in a family situation. This has caused a rise in mental illness in men or some males not knowing their role in society whilst others are much more comfortable being proactive in their children’s care and life generally.

Module 7: The Sociology of Religion
Religion is addressed as a whole module because it focuses on the meaning of life. Even when people are anti-religion, they have fanatical views and yet may still decide on a ‘Church wedding!’ UK is considered a Christian state, yet there is a changing diversity and make-up due to migration and immigration that affects religious choice and behaviour. Terrorism has also introduced warped visions of the role and function of religion in British and World society. The ideology of religion covers how we deal with grief, how we behave, our views on what we consider to be right and wrong, and Theodicy or the meaning of life.

Module 8: The Mass Media
In the last 60 years the commonality of the television set into every home in the UK, free newspaper and the internet media has increased the role of the mass media in human life and society. Values and beliefs are influenced by the media and in turn we decide what we buy e.g. the newspaper we choose to read and the television programmes we watch, what advertisements, if any, are shown within it so we effect what is considered to be popular culture. What is crucial is that questions are asked about who makes the decisions, how are we manipulated to believe certain information and if our way of life is valid (in comparison to whom), and where do we position our self in the modern media-fuelled world.

Module 9: Research Methodology in Sociology
In order to make valid and honest conclusions based on accurate research, concise and clear research methods and techniques must be used. These have been tried and tested and are continuously developed and need to be adapted for the process or investigation required. The discipline required and the way to carry out research using the best available methods involving questioning, quantitative, qualitative, critical analysis, findings to make an accurate conclusion will be discussed in detail. Research must be conducted fairly, honestly, should be able to be repeated and be transparent.

Module 10: Sociology of Health
It may appear an odd topic to include in Sociology, but health is included as it is of societal concern. Health is defined as ‘an absence of illness.’ As with most issues, the quality of the medicine we are prescribed is contentious and we see that an overuse of antibiotics has caused a resistant-Bacterium. Stress is a modern day illness and the changing nature of health and illness, its link to class, gender, mental illness and to the NHS in the UK is explored in the final module.

• The Sociology course is tailored for a diverse audience with a keen interest in unravelling the intricacies of human society.
• This program is designed for individuals who harbour a curiosity about the underlying structures and dynamics that shape our social world.
• It caters to those who are passionate about understanding human behaviour, societal interactions, and the influences that contribute to the complexities of our communities.
• The target audience includes individuals exploring career paths in the caring professions, health, welfare, or social work courses at the degree level.
• It is particularly well-suited for those who may have been out of touch with formal education but are eager to develop their learning skills for potential future studies.
• Additionally, individuals concurrently pursuing diplomas in psychology or counselling will find this course to be a valuable complement, offering a broader perspective on the social dimensions that influence human psychology and mental well-being.
• Whether you are a professional seeking to expand your knowledge or an enthusiast eager to explore the fascinating realms of sociology, this course provides a platform for meaningful insights and intellectual growth.

• The good news is that no prior learning knowledge or experience is essential to take this course. This course is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Sociology (Level 3) and would like to take part in a highly rewarding distance learning study course.
• We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further, so we try to keep our entry requirements to a minimum.
• You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 12 months from initial registration with full tutor support.

Social researchers plan, design, conduct, analyse and manage social research projects, reporting on findings in order to shape policy or to examine the effectiveness of existing policy