The Sociologist on Placement

Over the last five years 175 students at the University of Ulster have done a final year sociology module on placement. The key to placement as a setting for sociologists is that a diversity of knowledge from theoretical sociology, classic writers, case studies and textbooks are all potentially relevant to it. It connects theory and practice and provides organisational experiences from which students can develop comparative and theoretical insights applied to their possible roles in society. It also provides practical and critical skills suited to future employment. Students see their academic and personal reputation directly at stake during placement and in most cases are eager to find their own places in order to work well in their local environment.