Department of Sociology

This is indeed the essence of sociology: imagining that every individual’s life is given meaning, form and significance within historically specific cultures and ways of organizing social life.

C.Wright Mills

Being part of the department of sociology at the University of Grete is an exciting experience for both students and staff, as it enhances our self-knowldege as individuals and citizens in Greek, European and global society, while also providing students with scientific knowledge and professional training in analysing and solving social problems.

Undergraduate Studies

The department of sociology offers a high quality programme of study that continuously evolves so as to keep up with the most recent developments in sociological thought and satisfy both the needs of students and of Greek society for competent scientific staff, not only in sociolgy but in the social sciences in general.

The department is organized around three unofficial units :

• Social theory
• Social organization and change
• Social Culture

Students make up their own programme by combining compulsory courses with optional courses and seminars. Courses are divided between (a) core courses and (b) area courses. The programme evolves around four areas of sociology:

      a) Social Theory-Methods
      b) Social development-Social Change
      c) Political Sociology
      d) Culture-Work-Education

Students can also enroll in courses from other social science departments, as well as from other departments of the university. Students have the option to write a thesis for their degree.

Practical experience

Field work contributes in connecting theoretical knowledge with the empirical reality and the better understanding of both. The department supports these educational activities, as well as the involvement of students in programmes undertaken by research centres and local government organizations.

Jean Monet European Integration Courses

The Department of Sociology offers courses on European Integration which have been organized mainly in the framework of the Jean Monnet program of the European Union. In the same context, it operates at the Jean Monnet Chair Department in Political Sociology of European Integration.
Teaching and research on European Integration subjects is supported by the Center for European Documentation, which is housed in the University Library.

Student exchange programme

The department takes part in the ‘Socrates/ Erasmus’ Programme of the European Union that encourages the exchange of staff and students between European Universtities. As part of this programme the department recognizes courses undertaken in collaborating universities.

Laboratories

Two laboratories operate presently at the department:

a. The Laboratory of Social Analysis and Empirical Social Research
b. The Laboratory of Gender Studies

Technological Infrastructure and resources

The department is situated at the Gallos campus and is equiped with modern fascilities. Students have access to the computer lab of the School of Social Sciences, which provides computer terminals and internet connection.

Library

The Department uses the large Library of the University of Crete and contributes to its enrichment with several sociological magazines and books every year. Access to the European Documentation Centre at the Library is also valuable.

Graduates

A graduate of Sociology of the University of Crete acquires all the necessary resources to practice Sociology as a Science and a Profession. In particular, he/she acquires the possibility to: 

• continue postgraduate studies (Master’s) and Doctoral Studies (Ph.D), both in our Department, as well as in other University Departments of Social Sciences, Media, History, Economics, Philosophy, Pedagogy, Public Administration, etc. in Greek and foreign Universities.
• work in public and private sectors: as a scientific collaborator and as a staff member in health, social security, welfare, drug prevention and crime in the therapeutic and correctional system, as well as in the various research programmes of state bodies, private bodies responsible for the preparation of national and European programmes. He/she can also work in banks, insurance companies, Citizen Service Centers, etc.
• teach sociology and social sciences in middle education, and contribute to the education and training of adults in Vocational Training Institutes and other educational institutions.
• join the army and the armed forces. The Sociology graduate is often selected and serves his military service as a sociologist, an experience that helps him/her join the army as a permanent officer.
• work in the Local Government Organizations (Municipalities, Prefectures and Regions) as a scientific associate and consultant on regional development, minorities, social problems, cultural and ecological initiatives, European interconnection, etc.
• work in public and private Media as a consultant and producer of social content programmes, in various private European information offices, as well as in European Union services, on social, educational and professional programmes and opportunities in the EU., and other international organizations
• actively participate in cultural, ecological and political Non-Governmental Organizations and intervention associations in social and political events.

Why should I study Sociology

Since the beginning of the 21st century, human society has become increasingly complex, social problems are exacerbated, new technologies solve but at the same time create new problems. Thus, human coexistence in the age of information and risk is an important field of study, analysis and application of social sciences. In particular, the science of sociology, by studying our social self in the ‘new wondrous world’, gives us self-awareness and equips us with resources to understand rapid social changes and be able to intervene as scientists and as citizens to improve society.

Especially in Greek society, where the integration into the European Union and the development of the new economy create new opportunities, new problems and new challenges, the science of sociology, which analyzes this new social reality and offers knowledge to people sensitive to new social phenomena, becomes absolutely necessary. Sociology familiarizes us with important issues, e.g. globalisation, Europeanisation, modernisation, alienation, unemployment, poverty, inequality, social exclusion, etc. and enriches us in a personal and scientific way with a social conscience in order to contribute to the progress of society and science.

According to relevant research for the first graduates of the Department of Sociology, the usefulness and prestige of sociology in shaping their personality is really great. Indicatively one of our graduates in this survey stated :

” (Sociology) woke me up to my sensitivities about social problems (drugs, violence, corruption, and more) and helped me find a way to approach them, understand them, and understand myself in relation to others.”

Why should I study Sociology in Rethymno

• It is a pure Department of Sociology in the only real School of Social Sciences that operates in Greek Universities, which is now on a path of maturation and qualitative development after twenty years of prosperity.
• Student-professor relations are still direct and not bureaucratic.
• Most of our graduates stated in the latest survey of the Liaison Office for graduates 1999-2000 of the University of Crete that they are generally satisfied with ther studies in the Department of Sociology at 76%, of which 31.3% are very satisfied, while dissatisfied stated only 4.5% .
• Rethymno is a charming and developing city, and Crete is a beautiful and dynamic island, and it is now a common finding that almost all our graduates are very sorry when they graduate, and a significant proportion of them, let alone those of Cretan origin, settle and live permanently in Crete.

Postgraduate Studies

The Department operates a Postgraduate Studies Programme (PPS) in the subject of “Sociology”. The strategic objective of this Programme is the specialization and training of scientists and researchers in the wider field of Sociology, in order to understand and analyze the social differences and inequalities that occur in a changing and globalized economic, cultural and social life.