VU
Virtual University of Pakistan
Department of Sociology

Bachelor of Science in Sociology (4 year program)

Introduction

The basic purpose of introducing Bachelor of Science in Sociology program is to prepare students in the field of Sociology as per progressive requirements and challenges. The students graduating from this discipline will be able to acquire the necessary skills for understanding the multi-cultural views and aspects of the social world. The discipline of sociology is mainly concerned about social analysis. In a way, it provides an opportunity to deeply understand and analyze human societies and cultures under the umbrella of sociological perspectives. It also attempts to understand the evolutionary process of societies along with historical transformations. Discipline of Sociology has also paid premium attention to methods of research as contemporary sociology is more empirical and research oriented rather than theoretical. The BS Degree Program is explicitly aimed at preparing the students for advanced graduate study in Social Sciences and Social Science-based professions.

Objectives

BS Sociology program aims to:

  1. Equip the students with conceptual tools, scientific knowledge and practical skills to gain a deeper understanding of social world in general.
  2. Enhance the ability of the students to interpret the dynamics of varying human behavior and society in a wider context.
  3. Articulate how sociological principles can be used to explain and understand the dynamics of social issues and their consequent possible solutions.
  4. Train the students practically and make them capable of applying sociological approaches to redefine the national goals for a sustainable and progressive Pakistan.

 

Eligibility Criteria

Intermediate (12 years of education) / A-Level or equivalent qualification with at least 45% marks

Note:

  • Candidates having A-Level, Deeni Asnad, or foreign qualifications are required to provide an equivalence certificate from IBCC or HEC, Islamabad, as applicable.
  • Candidates having less than 45% marks in Intermediate or equivalent qualification will be eligible for admission after the successful completion of the “Zero Semester.”

BS Lateral Entry Admission:

  • Applicants with a 2-year Associate Degree in the same discipline (from an HEC-recognized institution) will be eligible to join the 5th semester of a BS program.
  • Those with an Associate Degree in a different discipline or a conventional BA/BSc degree (annual system) must complete a bridging semester/deficiency semester to address academic gaps.

The minimum admission eligibility is:

  • 2.00/4.00 CGPA for Associate Degree holders (semester system), or
  • 45% marks for BA/BSc or equivalent (annual system),

Along with fulfilling the University’s general admission criteria based on 12 years of education. The University may set higher standards for specific programs.

Assessment Criteria

The students’ study progress evaluation mechanism is based on continuous assessment throughout the semester by giving assignments, on-line quizzes, Graded Discussion Boards (GDB), mid-term and final-term exams. The mid and final term exams are conducted at VU’s designated exam centers and usually count for 80 to 85% of the total marks for a course.

Award of Degree

To become eligible for the award of BS Sociology degree, the student is required to complete prescribed course work of 134 credit hours with a minimum CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of 2.0 out of 4.

Project / Internship / Practicals

(w.e.f. Batch 2504)

Rules for Capstone Project (SOC499)

  1. The Capstone Project will carry 3 credit hours and will be offered in the 8th semester.
  2. To enroll in the Final Year Project, a student must:
    • Have a CGPA of 2.0 or higher.
    • Have completed a minimum of 115 credit hours.
    • Have passed both SOC509 – Quantitative Research Methodology and SOC609 – Qualitative Research Methods.
  3. These two courses (SOC509 and SOC609) are prerequisites for SOC499 – Capstone Project. Students who fail to pass either of these courses will not be eligible to enroll in the Capstone Project.
  4. If a student fails to complete/pass the Final Year Project, an "F" grade will be awarded.

Rules for Internship / Field Experience (SOCI619)

  1. In the Internship Report (SOCI619), students are required to complete a 6–8 week internship in an NGO, social welfare agency, or voluntary organization. A valid Internship Completion Certificate must be issued by the host organization.
  2. To enroll in the Internship course, a student must have earned 90 or more credit hours.
  3. Students will be required to submit a detailed internship report and deliver a viva presentation.

Scheme of Study

Total Credit Hours 134
Total Semesters 8
Duration 4 Years


BS (Sociology) Course Selection Rules
Semester No. 1
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
CS101 Introduction to Computing Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
ENG101 English Comprehension Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC101 Introduction to Sociology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC201 Social Statistics Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
ECO401 Economics Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC301 Introduction to Social Work Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
ETH202 Ethics (for Non-Muslims) Elective 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
ISL202 Islamic Studies Elective 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 2
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
ENG201 Business and Technical English Writing Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
ETH100 Effective Citizenship Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MTH302 Business Mathematics & Statistics Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC302 Sociological Theories Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC404 Pakistani Society and Culture Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
PAK302 Pakistan Studies Required 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 3
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
MGT602 Entrepreneurship Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC401 Cultural Anthropology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC403 Gender Studies Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC602 Sociology of Education Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
URD101 Urdu Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
PAK301 Pakistan Studies Required 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 4
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
GSC101 General Science Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
PSY403 Social Psychology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC603 Sociology of Development Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC604 Community Development Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC605 Population Dynamics Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 5
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
MGT502 Organizational Behaviour Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC402 Sociological Perspectives Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC509 Quantitative Research Methodology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC606 Rural Sociology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MGT111 Introduction to Public Administration Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MGT522 Introduction to Public Policy Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 6
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
SOC607 Urban Sociology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC608 Sociology of Health Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC609 Qualitative Research Methods Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC612 Political Sociology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC613 Social Change and Transformation Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM101 Introduction to Mass Communication Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM301 Communication skills Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM401 Fundamentals of Public Relations Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 7
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
PSY515 Cross Cultural Psychology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC611 Criminology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC614 Sociology of Religion Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC615 Environmental Sociology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC616 Sociology of Globalization Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOCI619 Internship Report-Sociology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 8
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
EDU403 Art, Crafts and Calligraphy Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC499 Capstone Project Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC601 Social Policy and Governance Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC610 Electronic Media & Virtual Community Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC617 Social Entrepreneurship Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
 


Pre-Requisite Courses List Show/Hide Pre-Requisite Courses List