Sociology is the study of society as a whole. It shows us how we may think our way through and out of problems, both individually and collectively. 

Sociology is concerned with identity and multiculturalism; sexuality and intimacy; media and popular culture; environment and sustainability; law and justice; crime and deviance; anthropology, civilisation and religion; art, culture and literature; health and well-being; politics and community; economy and society.

It is concerned with the modern world, how it has come into being and what challenges and crises it faces, at local, national and global levels. It ask questions about the decline of the power of the church; what it means to be "Irish" in an era of immigration and globalisation; the world financial crisis and the political crisis of Europe; global climate change and the future of Western civilisation.

Sociology helps us understand these problems, in an Irish and an international context.

You will  learn research methods and useful skills such as interviewing, surveys and questionnaires, onsite observation and ethnography, discourse analysis and archival research.