Semester One

200-level

SOCI201
Social Theory for Contemporary Life
Description
This course engages with a range of classical and contemporary social theories dealing with the complexity of the social and everyday life. Even though social theories aim to provide a general interpretation of the social forces that have shaped the modern, contemporary world; we use them every day in informal ways. This course focuses on how social theorists have set out to make sense of the world. Students will be introduced to a selection of theorists and perspectives in an approachable manner and use material that is relevant to our contemporary social world. This course is compulsory for the Sociology major.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from ANTH or SOCI, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
SOCI301, SOCI393 (2013).

SOCI243
Sociology of Health and Wellbeing
Description
This course explores the social aspects of health and wellbeing, examining the connection between social structures and health outcomes. Focusing on health institutions, people’s experiences within the health system, and different ways of constructing health and illness, we will look at inequalities and health, culture and health, mental health, doctor-patient relationships, and health advocacy, amongst other topics. Students gain a broad understanding of the Aotearoa New Zealand health scene. Students will also have an opportunity to think about health and wellbeing in relation to their own lives and, through community service learning, to apply classroom learning about health and wellbeing issues to real-time situations.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from ANTH or SOCI, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
SOCI343

SOCI278
Religion and Society: Why God Won't Die
Description
This course is an introduction to the sociology of religion focused on thinking and rethinking religion & society.Central to the discussion is why god and religion has not dissapeared as was predicted in much modern social theory. In considering this question, the course provides a critical discussion of the ways religion, god and religious practices have been thought, dismissed and applied over the past 150 years within the Sociology of Religion.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from ANTH or SOCI, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
ANTH298, SOCI292, SOCI392 in 2012

Semester Two

200-level

SOCI202
Constructing Bodies
Description
This course focuses on the ways in which the body is shaped in culturally/historically specific contexts, which include the lived body as a site of knowledge and experience. It explores a range of body practices, representations and technologies such as non-mainstream body modification, sexuality education, trans medico-surgical practices and the sexualization of culture.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from ANTH, CULT, or SOCI, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
GEND102, FMST102, GEND112, AMST113, CULT112, AMST142, GEND201, CULT207

SOCI209
Te Tiriti: The Treaty of Waitangi
Description
This course uses the Treaty of Waitangi to frame examinations of contemporary New Zealand society. We ask questions designed to highlight and emphasise the relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi to everyday New Zealanders. In addition, the course looks at the importance of this document in the maintenance of Crown and Maori relations. Topics covered range from the signing of the Treaty, and historical developments, to the protest movements and activism of the continuing Maori renaissance period, race relations and one law-for-all.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from ANTH, CULT, HIST, HSRV, MAOR, POLS, SOCI, or SOWK, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
HIST268, MAOR219, POLS218, POLS258, HSRV207, CULT219

SOCI220
Environment and Society
Description
The growing recognition of the reality and consequences of global environmental change poses a fundamental challenge to the ways we interact with the environment and each other, and places new demands on sociological thinking. This course introduces conceptual tools for approaching environmental issues from the local to global level. International, national, and local studies of human interaction with different aspects of the environment will explore contemporary issues, such as environmental justice movements and biodiversity conservation efforts. Students will have the chance to apply concepts and critical thinking skills through undertaking a social action project.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from ANTH or SOCI, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
SOCI230 (2005), SOCI320, SOCI330 (2005)

SOCI222
Whakataka Nga Here: Colonisation and the Criminal Justice System
Description
This course will examine one of the most pressing issues facing Aotearoa New Zealand. Students will explore historical and contemporary determinants of Maori over-representation in the criminal justice system. The course also engages with contemporary responses to the challenges we will examine, and identify future solutions.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level in SOCI, ANTH, CRJU, or LAWS, or Any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions

SOCI293
The History of Gangs in New Zealand
Description
An introduction to the sociology of gangs, focusing on the historical development of gangs in New Zealand and the methods which have been taken to control them.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level in SOCI, ANTH, CRJU, or LAWS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.

Summer Nov

200-level

SOCI263
Everyday Life and Society
Description
This course introduces students to a range of issues associated with the sociology of the everyday world. It examines how the elements of everyday life - shopping, credit cards, leisure, the meaning of home, food, relationships with companion animals, and other student selected topics reveal our entanglement with wider social processes. Everyday worlds will also be examined as a nexus for our engagement with contemporary issues ranging from environmental awareness to social justice.
Occurrences
Summer Nov 2024 start
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from ANTH or SOCI, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.

Not Offered Courses in 2025

Semester Two

200-level

SOCI244
On Death and Dying: Current Controversies in Thanatology
Description
'On Death and Dying' introduces students to this most pervasive yet under-examined aspect of social life. Students will be given the opportunity to explore death, dying and bereavement from a sociological point of view. We will explore the different and complex ways people attend to death through a guided programme that includes a study of the notion of sequestered death, the body in death, the social stratification of death, customary practices past and present including Aotearoa/New Zealand, death and medicine, good death/bad death, near death experiences, ghosts, euthanasia, suicide, the funeral profession, grief and mourning, memento mori, mass death, death and the media/popular culture.
Occurrences
SOCI244-25S2 (C)
Semester Two 2025 - Not offered
For further information see SOCI244 course details
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from ANTH or SOCI, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
SOCI344, POLS404