Sociology and English

How do equality, opportunity and social structures shape life today? Explore the human experience through a sociological and literature-based lens to explore questions about who we are, why we are here, and the nature of the world in which we find ourselves.

By examining the past, present and future you’ll see how social and linguistic structures affect interactions of those currently living in society. You’ll learn about social justice, distribution of power, globalisation, self-expression in the modern world and politics of the household. The English programme’s distinctive core of engagement with critical and cultural theory will simultaneously enable you to develop a highly nuanced and sophisticated approach to the analysis of literature, language and culture.

Academic Expertise

You will be taught by experienced researchers whose work is shedding new light on some of the most pressing issues facing our society as well as on a range of cultural topics. They regularly publish articles and books and deliver conference papers internationally.

English academics have specialised knowledge in fields such as Romanticism, blasphemy and censorship, nineteenth-century literature, post-colonial theatre, critical theory and postmodernism. The Sociology team are recognised for their expertise in research areas such as social policy, childhood and war, extremism and counter terrorism, conspiracy theory, humour and society, politics and social movements, Marxism and social theory.

Explore the human experience

English incorporates not only literature, but also the contexts in which literature is produced and read. You’ll examine the intellectual and cultural study of art, film, philosophy, linguistics and sociology within contemporary politics.

Literature asks questions about who we are, why we are here, and the nature of the world in which we find ourselves. We’ll introduce you to a range of cultural expressions from across the globe and from varying historical periods. This will broaden your understanding of the variety of human experiences and how a diverse range of literature seeks to encapsulate it.

Boost your employability with a placement year

Take an optional placement year to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We’ll support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience for your CV, build contacts, and explore career options before you graduate.

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

• You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
• You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
• You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You’ll learn through lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials and independent studying.

How you are assessed

You’ll be assessed through a variety of methods including coursework, oral presentations, seminar participation, on-line learning tasks, extended projects and work-based assignments. Modules often include a formative non-assessed task that will act as preparation for the main assessments. These include essay plans, online tests, bibliographies and participation in class debates.

This course provides graduates with a diverse range of skills and knowledge to lead onto a variety of careers. Many Sociology graduates are attracted to careers that centre on the challenges and demands that members of a society face. This leads to jobs in social services, education, criminal justice, welfare services, national and local government, counselling, charities and the voluntary sector. They include charity fundraiser, community development worker, counsellor, lecturer, housing officer, teacher, police officer, probation officer, researcher, social worker and welfare rights adviser.

Our English provision opens up a range of career options. English at Derby involves innovative assessment practices which include assessed seminar participation, presentations, research projects relating to the creative industries and conference papers, as well as essays and dissertations. We aim to produce confident and articulate graduates who are well-prepared for the world of professional employment. Our forms of assessment will enable you to develop high-level transferable skills in the context of an academically satisfying course. Our English graduates have gone into fields such as teaching, publishing, journalism, librarianship, marketing, human resource management, law, and arts administration.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.