Sociology Subject 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:
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GradCert(Socy) and GradDip(Socy) 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.
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PGCert(Socy), PGDip(Socy), BA(Hons), BSocSc(Hons), MA and MSocSc 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.
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MPhil 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.
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PhD 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 | |
|---|---|---|
CRIMN101
Criminology and Social Justice in New Zealand
This paper prepares students for further study in criminology. Developing a critical criminological perspective the paper will introduce students to... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Secondary School - Unistart) & 26B (Tauranga) |
|
CRIMN102
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 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Tauranga) |
|
GNSEX101
Gender 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 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Secondary School - Unistart) & 26B (Tauranga) |
|
SOCIO101
Introduction 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 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Secondary School - Unistart) & 26A (Tauranga) |
|
SOCPY100
Introduction 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 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Secondary School - Unistart) & 26A (Tauranga) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
CRIMN204
Punishment, 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 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Tauranga) |
|
SOCIO201
21st 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 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Online) |
|
SOCIO203
Popular Culture
This paper offers a sociological perspective on historical and contemporary forms of popular culture. |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Tauranga) |
|
SOCPY200
Social 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 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Online) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
CRIMN300
Drug Policy: Health and Harms in Aotearoa New Zealand
This paper provides an overview of the debates surrounding the regulation of illicit drugs in Aotearoa New Zealand, with explicit reference to the... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
CRIMN311
Current Issues in Crime Control and Social Justice
This paper examines sociological explanations for criminal behaviour and examines issues within criminal justice. |
15 | 26G (Online) |
|
GNSEX303
Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities
This paper provides a comprehensive review of the historical context for understanding contemporary issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
SOCIO301
Contemporary Social Theory: A Praxis Approach
This paper introduces students to contemporary debates in social theory from a praxis perspective. Particular attention is paid to theories of... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
SOCIO305
Human 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 | 26A (Online) |
|
SOCIO306
Sport and Popular Culture
This paper will interrogate sport as popular culture in all its forms, from ‘mega events’ like the Olympics, to documentary and fiction films... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
SOCIO390
Directed Study
This paper provides students with a flexible opportunity to investigate a specific topic from a sociology perspective. |
15 | 26X (Hamilton) |
|
SOCPY300
Applied Social Policy
This paper provides students with experience of the ways in which policy is formulated and enacted. Theoretical perspectives are consolidated and... |
15 | 26B (Online) |
|
SOCPY301
Health, 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 | 26A (Online) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
ALPSS500
Academic and Professional Research and 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 | 26A (Online) & 26B (Online) |
|
ALPSS590
Directed 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 | 26X (Hamilton) |
|
ALPSS591
Research Project
A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum). |
30 | 26X (Hamilton) & 26X (Tauranga) |
|
ALPSS592
Dissertation
A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum). |
60 | 26X (Hamilton) & 26X (Tauranga) |
|
ANTHY515
Ethnographic Research Methods
This paper provides an in depth introduction to ethnographic research, including its ethical, theoretical, and methodical components. |
30 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
GEOGY500
People, 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 | 26A (Online) |
|
HSHUP507
Social 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 | 26A (Online) |
|
MAORI570
Te 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 | 26A (Online) |
|
MAORI571
Decolonising 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 | 26B (Online) |
|
MEDIA501
Critical 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 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
MNGMT581
Research 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 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26B (Hamilton) & 26C (Hamilton) |
|
PACIS500
Critical Pacific Studies
This paper provides an opportunity to critically engage the foundational ideas, texts, theoretical work, methods and perspectives of Pacific studies... |
30 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
POPST501
Population Health and Equity
This paper explores population health in Aotearoa/New Zealand and internationally, emphasising the broader determinants of wellbeing and equity. It... |
30 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
SOCIO590
Directed Study
Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. Open to selected students who meet the... |
30 | 26X (Hamilton) |
|
SOCIO593
Sociology Thesis
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. |
90 | 26X (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
SOCIO800
Sociology MPhil Thesis
|
120 | 26X (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
SOCIO900
Sociology PhD Thesis
|
120 | 26I (Hamilton) & 26J (Hamilton) & 26K (Hamilton) & 26X (Hamilton) & 26X (Tauranga) |
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CRIMN101 Criminology and Social Justice in New Zealand
This paper prepares students for further study in criminology. Developing a critical criminological perspective the paper will introduce students to...
Points 15This paper provides students with an introduction to criminology and the criminal justice system, with a focus on the New Zealand context.
Points 15This paper considers issues related to gender, sexuality, and the body including health issues, media representations, gender based violence, and...
Points 15This paper prepares students for further study in a range of social science subjects. It introduces the main sociological theories, concepts and...
Points 15This paper examines the values behind social policy and introduces students to some of the important issues and debates in New Zealand and other...
Points 15 -
CRIMN204 Punishment, Society and Social Justice
This subject will provide students with a critical understanding of the theoretical, political and policy issues associated with societies' response...
Points 15This paper will offer insight into the historical legacies of systemic racism, sexism and class oppression by taking an in-depth look at key issues...
Points 15This paper offers a sociological perspective on historical and contemporary forms of popular culture.
Points 15The 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...
Points 15 -
CRIMN300 Drug Policy: Health and Harms in Aotearoa New Zealand
This paper provides an overview of the debates surrounding the regulation of illicit drugs in Aotearoa New Zealand, with explicit reference to the...
Points 15This paper examines sociological explanations for criminal behaviour and examines issues within criminal justice.
Points 15This paper provides a comprehensive review of the historical context for understanding contemporary issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social...
Points 15This paper introduces students to contemporary debates in social theory from a praxis perspective. Particular attention is paid to theories of...
Points 15This paper analyses the causes and impacts of technologies of human enhancement on individuals and societies. The paper addresses issues such as...
Points 15This paper will interrogate sport as popular culture in all its forms, from ‘mega events’ like the Olympics, to documentary and fiction films...
Points 15This paper provides students with a flexible opportunity to investigate a specific topic from a sociology perspective.
Points 15This paper provides students with experience of the ways in which policy is formulated and enacted. Theoretical perspectives are consolidated and...
Points 15This paper provides a critical introduction to key issues in the formation of health policy at both a national and international level.
Points 15 -
ALPSS500 Academic and Professional Research and 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...
Points 30This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their...
Points 30A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum).
Points 30A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum).
Points 60This paper provides an in depth introduction to ethnographic research, including its ethical, theoretical, and methodical components.
Points 30This paper is a forum for debate in geographies of people and power. Key concerns are the intersections between gender, Māori, Indigeneity...
Points 30Students will be introduced to key theories used for the social scientific study of sport, active recreation and coaching. Attention will be paid to...
Points 30This paper introduces students to a range of research issues, helps students identify and apply the most effective methodology, understand, review...
Points 30A seminar programme on indigenous consciousness, knowledge, values and ethics and their applications to contemporary issues such as research ethics...
Points 30This paper identifies the constraints and freedoms of research methods, and places a strong emphasis on research as an intellectual, theoretical, and...
Points 30This paper aims to introduce students to the assumptions underlying the different methodologies and methods for performing research in the social...
Points 30This paper provides an opportunity to critically engage the foundational ideas, texts, theoretical work, methods and perspectives of Pacific studies...
Points 30This paper explores population health in Aotearoa/New Zealand and internationally, emphasising the broader determinants of wellbeing and equity. It...
Points 30Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. Open to selected students who meet the...
Points 30An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
Points 90 -
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SOCIO900 Sociology PhD Thesis
Points 120
2026 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 31 Oct 2025 01:00am