According to The Australian Sociological Association (TASA), sociology focuses on the organisation of social life. It looks at how people’s lives are influenced by their opportunities and experiences; and the impact that people have on society through taking action and creating change. Sociology provides insights into the ways factors such as class, wealth, race, gender, ethnicity, age, sexuality, disability and religion shape people’s lives, but this is only one part of it. Sociology is diverse and covers all aspects of social life. Sociology is a perspective of the social world that values critical thinking. Sociologists question the commonsense and popular explanations of social life and look at the dynamics of power and inequality in everyday life. In this instance, the Australian Society major of the Bachelor of Applied Sociology will be the lens that students use to apply their sociological knowledge and skills to wider Australian society. Sociologists also acknowledge traditional owners and First Nations as the custodians of their lands, in Australia and internationally and acknowledge the rights of all people to live free from discrimination and disadvantage whatever their class, race, gender, ethnicity, age, sexuality, disability or religion.

There is a growing demand in Australia and internationally for people with graduate qualifications in social research methods. The Bachelor of Applied Sociology (Research Methods) is a degree designed to provide training in social research methods. Graduates of this program will have practical skills in social science research that can be applied in government, non-government organisations (NGOs), and private organisations. Graduates will gain a solid foundation for undertaking, overseeing and evaluating research within the employment sector or for further studies within the social sciences. In particular, students taking this major will develop knowledge and understanding of research methods, analysis and statistical techniques.

8 Elective Courses or a Second Major

Students have the choice to undertake either 8 elective courses or a second major.

Electives can be from any CQUniversity undergraduate course, provided prerequisite and corequisite requirements are met.

Those students undertaking a second major must select their courses from the majors as detailed in the Bachelor of Applied Sociology program. Please nominate both majors on your CQUCentral record and both names will appear on your official testamur.

Please note no more than 10 level one courses can be studied as part of this program.