• prepare students for work in the field of sociological research, in both the commercial and the academic sphere (preparing and analysing research);
• develop student skills in the areas of writing, presentation, and the use and formulating of arguments, and to do so in both Czech and English;
• give students a solid foundation of knowledge of sociology on which they can build at the next level of study.

To achieve these objectives the department provides students with a thorough grounding in statistics and social research methodology and teaches them how to work with the standard forms of data analysis software. BA curricula also include lectures and seminars on philosophy and the history of sociology, sociological theory, and research methodology. These courses teach students to work effectively with texts, to search for and class information (using even the university’s own databases) and to do so in both Czech and English. These courses also seek to teach students how to present their opinions and arguments in oral and written work. Special seminars (e.g. in criminology, sociology, sociology of religion, political philosophy) offered in the department or by other departments at the Faculty of Arts allow students to pursue a more specialised focus on certain topics. There are also opportunities to study abroad available for students in a BA programme.

The Department of Sociology currently offers three BA programmes:

Sociology

Sociology and Economics

Demography and Sociology – a programme run jointly with the Faculty of Science, Charles University (description of study programme only in Czech)

The syllabi for the programmes currently taught by the department are available on specialized website of the Faculty of Arts.

Profile of a graduate of the BA in Sociology programme

Graduates of the Sociology programme are qualified to perform research and management functions in the areas of social analysis and human resources. They have the skills required to carry out basic organisational and operative research and methodological tasks and to work in low-level management positions. They are qualified for employment in private organisations, state administration, and the non-profit sector – for instance, in departments of social and regional development (e.g. for businesses, the municipal authorities, labour offices), in public opinion and market research agencies, in the media (in analytic departments and editorial offices), and in other areas of state administration and the non-profit sector. Graduates possess a comprehensive grounding in social theory and research methodology, with which they are in a position to proceed to the MA level of study.

Profile of a graduate of the BA in Sociology and Economics programme

Graduates of the Sociology and Economics programme are qualified to perform organisational, project, and research tasks in particular in the areas of human resources and human resources management. They have the skills required to carry out basic organisational and operative research and methodological tasks and to perform advisory and consultation functions in the area of human resources and to work in low-level management positions. They are qualified for employment in private organisations, state administration, and the non-profit sector – for instance, in departments of social and regional development (e.g. for businesses, the municipal authorities, labour offices), in public opinion and market research agencies, in the media (in analytic departments and editorial offices), in other areas of state administration, and in the non-profit sector. The bachelor’s programme leaves students thoroughly prepared to proceed to the MA level of study should they wish to.