About us

Sociologists study human society and social behaviour. They investigate the social, religious, political, economic and governmental institutions of a society. Sociologists are particularly interested in how these structural features of a society change and what impact these changes have on everyday life. A key concern of sociologists is to study families, communities and groups and to analyse their impact on interaction between people.

Sociologists specialise in a wide range of areas, such as social stratification; inequality; development; power and politics; racial, ethnic and gender identity; social problems; education; health; law; religion; families and households; organisations and leisure time activities. Other fields of specialisation are: research, demography, gerontology, social psychology, industrial sociology and clinical sociology.

Sociology as a core discipline in the social sciences contributes to an understanding of societal dynamics. In the nineteenth century, sociology emerged to study the large scale social changes brought about by the industrial revolution. As we enter the twenty first century we face rapid change, conflict and dislocation in the world. Sociology provides the intellectual tools to understand these processes. By studying sociology you enhance your understanding of society and will be equipped with analytical skills to participate in public debates on societal issues. These insights are particularly useful when considering policy matters.

The Sociology department made national and international headlines in 1981 when the office of the then head of department, Prof. F.A. Maritz was destroyed by a bomb planted by members of the Wit Kommando, an extreme right wing group.The Sociology department incorporated the VUDEC (Vista University Distance Education Campus) Sociology department in January 2004 in accordance with the broader Unisa merger. Transitory arrangements (DOC) for students were agreed upon.