Preparing for your degree in Sociology
It would be a good idea to do some reading before you arrive at University. Mainly, we want you to start your
degree with enthusiasm and to be excited at exploring some of the key issues and debates that characterise
contemporary society. There are many ways to do this:
Academic Literature:
Sociological textbooks will be useful for your studies. You might want to purchase one or both of the following:
 Marsh, Keating, Punch & Harden (2009) Sociology: Making Sense of Society. Harlow: Pearson.
 Jones, Bradbury & LeBoutillier (2008) Introducing Social Theory. Cambridge: Polity.
Radio
There is an excellent programme on Radio 4 called 'Thinking Allowed' that covers different sociological topics
each week. The programme is on Wednesdays at 4:00pm (when there are never any lectures or classes to get in
the way) and you can catch up on previous episodes using iPlayer or subscribe to the podcast. The programme's
website can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qy05.
News:
Sociology is concerned with understanding contemporary life and as such it participates in debates on social
policy and assists policy makers in their decisions. It is therefore vital that sociology students keep up-to-date
with current events. Before you come to university you should:

Read a quality newspaper such as The Guardian or The Independent.

Get used to examining news resources such as www.bbc.co.uk/news

Follow current affairs programmes on the television and radio
Other useful media
An important part of becoming a sociologist is developing what is called the 'sociological imagination'. This is
having the ability to see the world through the eyes of others and understand the relationship between private
experience and public issues. Many books, films and television programmes should help you develop a
‘sociological imagination’ but it might be that you have to go beyond that which you are normally used to and
challenge yourself. Below is a small selection of TV programmes, books and films which hopefully you will find
stimulating:
Television programmes
Films

The Wire (HBO)

Panorama (BBC)

Dispatches (Channel 4)

Who Do You Think You Are? (BBC)

Bowling for Columbine (2002)

Supersize Me (2004)

Bend it Like Beckham (2002)

Kidulthood (2006)

Quadrophenia (1979)

Trainspotting (1996)

The Full Monty (1997)

Billy Elliot (2000)

Blade Runner (1982)

On Golden Pond (1981)

Educating Rita (1983)

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).
Books (fiction and non-fiction)

Golding, W. (1954) The Lord of the Flies

Jones, I. (2012) Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class

Heller, J. (1961) Catch-22: A Novel

Orwell, G. (1948) 1984

Lee, H. (1960) To Kill a Mockingbird

Salinger, JD. (1951) The Catcher In the Rye

Thompson, H. S. (1966) Hell's Angels

Tresswell, R. (1914) The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
The Sociology team forward to meeting you in September!