Sociology at Essex
Sociology at Essex is informed by a concern to develop sociology in its widest sense.
The department
includes well-established sociologists and newer members of the
discipline who are pioneering novel interests. Early strengths
in inequality, stratification, and gender have been enlarged by
newer concerns with globalization, citizenship and human rights,
the environment, culture, crime and sexuality.
Founded in
1964 by Peter Townsend, the 6* rated Department of Sociology at
the University of Essex is one of the younger sociology
departments in the UK. It was established with a strong emphasis
on critical theory and social research. Sociology and
sociological research in the Department has been characterised
by a wide range of substantive and methodological approaches,
and the integration of theoretical and empirical work. One of the distinctive features of sociology at Essex
is its broad variety of disciplines. We are one of only two
sociology departments in the country that boast a 6* research
rating - indicating international excellence in the majority of
our research.. The distinctive character of sociology
at Essex lies primarily in its commitment to a sociology that builds
on and is fertilised by a range of disciplinary insights.;
There are 27 permanent full-time teaching staff, around 120
graduate students and 160 2nd and 3rd year undergraduates. Our
staff members engage in a variety of areas in sociology
such as sociological theory and method, criminology,
social psychology, media and cultural studies, social
anthropology, political sociology, social philosophy,
social history and feminism.
The Department is a lively and unique place to study,
both in terms of social activities, and as an
intellectually inspiring environment, with a high level of
international diversity. Our students come from all over
the world: Mexico, Brazil, Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia,
Taiwan, Nigeria, South Africa, Canada, the United States,
Russia, Germany, France, Turkey, Greece, China, Japan and
other countries too numerous to name.
While the department has been
recognised in several surveys as an outstanding research department,
it is also one that is deeply committed to students and teaching; we
secured a grade of 22/24 for teaching in the last subject review
putting us in the excellent band. We recognise that the success
of the next generation of sociologists depends upon the training of
incoming students and have regularly had schemes approved by for
research training purposes. We have our own, subject-specific
Student
Resource
Centre (SRC) established in 1994. The Centre is run by our
dedicated Student Support Services Officer, along with a
team of student volunteers. The SRC offers a full annual
programme of academic skills workshops, and works
continually to develop new learning support initiatives
based on the needs expressed by students.
At
the centre of the department is the Common Room, which is
open all day (Monday to Friday) and has drinks and daily
newspapers available. Here, staff and students meet, read
and chat. We hold termly Staff/Student Liaison Committee
meetings and have elected student representatives to
attend our twice-termly Departmental meetings. We publish
an Essex Graduate Journal of Sociology and there are
weekly Seminars open to all.
Further information:
Last modified on 01 October 2009