Introduction

Sociology and anthropology originate from the desire of modern societies to know more about themselves and about other societies, and to be able to influence their own actions. The approach adopted by sociologists and anthropologists combines a capacity for analysis with an awareness of concrete realities (through survey techniques, field studies, etc.). It is both rigorous and creative.

The field of study of these two disciplines is extremely vast: social change, gender relations, power, inequalities, globalisation, multiculturalism, cities and mobility, beliefs, family, sexuality, new media, social networks, ecological issues, health and well-being, etc.

From fundamental research to support in the decision-making process (consulting) and service to society, these two disciplines address a wide range of issues. In a world in constant turmoil, the knowledge and skills of sociologists and anthropologists are more relevant than ever.

Your profile

Would you like to understand the issues and social and cultural transformations in contemporary societies? Would you like to be an agent of change? An open mind, an interest in human relations, discovering the diversity of cultures and foreign languages, intellectual curiosity and constant attention to current events are basic prerequisites for sociology and anthropology students.

Your future job

Sociologists and anthropologists are valued for their ability to analyse the world we live in, while helping to solve the problems or reduce the tensions which arise in societies marked by change, complexity and diversity.

• Social intervention and political sphere (at local, regional, federal, European or international level)
• Organisations, associations and public authorities in the fields of youth aid, social action, migration, the environment, gender relations, employment, citizen participation, etc.
• Expertise (ministerial office, private consultancy, support in the political and economic decision-making process, spatial planning and mobility management, migration flows, social and healthcare policies, precariousness and mental health, security and protection, etc.)
• Survey agencies, opinion polls, marketing services
• Associations and culture, social movements, feminist and solidarity organisations
• Staff services, human resources management, labour sciences
• Intercultural professions (at local level – mediation, interface, etc. – but also at global level – in companies or international organisations – involving the intersection of cultures: translation or facilitation functions, etc.)
• Development cooperation, humanitarian aid, non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• New professions linked to cultural innovation and communication (advertising, cyberculture, social networks, information management, etc.)
• Education and research

Depending on their fields of specialisation and their master's degree, internship and bachelor's dissertation, sociologists and anthropologists can work in a wide range of fields, focusing on new or even 'offbeat' subjects or current issues: new forms of inequality and precariousness, gender relations, the effects of capitalism on individual life, globalisation and multiculturalism, the internet and social networks, ecological issues, different modes of consumption, norms related to 'well-being' and 'personal fulfilment', transformations in gender relations and issues related to sexuality, changes in beliefs and religious practices, spatial mobility, new ways of living and coexisting in a neighbourhood, work flexibility, family instability, etc.

Your programme

The bachelor's degree in sociology and anthropology is a first-cycle programme (a 'transition' bachelor's degree), consisting of 180 credits spread over three years (60 credits per year).

The programme covers four main areas:

1. a solid multidisciplinary background in the humanities, with introductory courses in the main disciplines of the humanities and social sciences (philosophy, history, economics, law, political science, psychology, sociology and anthropology)
2. an increasingly specialised background in sociology and anthropology: (analysis of sociological theories, sociology of culture, special issues in anthropology, political sociology, analysis of public action, socio-anthropology of symbolics, analysis and theories of power, sociology of collective action, urban change and policies, etc.)
3. a methodological background in the form of courses and seminars covering a range of qualitative and quantitative methods in the humanities and social sciences: approach and methods in the social sciences, field methods, quantitative methods, etc.
4. quality language instruction. Even when they choose a unilingual programme, students will take English and Dutch classes (or Spanish if they have no basic knowledge of Dutch) in the first and second years, and must choose one of the two languages in the third year. During the third year, a sociology and anthropology course must be taken in English or Dutch: Society and environment or Milieu en samenleving.

Furthermore, during the second term of the third year, students may take part in an Erasmus exchange at a university in Europe, Asia, North America or South America, whose programmes are taught in a language other than French.

Another option is for students who pass the June exam session to apply for a summer language study grant in Flanders or abroad.

Pursuing a dual bachelor's degree

Our dual bachelor's degrees are one of the special features of UCLouvain Saint-Louis - Bruxelles.

Students can take a second bachelor's degree, in tandem with their main bachelor's degree. This means that they complete their main programme with a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 125 additional credits spread over several years. The additional bachelor's degree can be completed after the main bachelor's degree. A series of courses taken as part of the main programme count towards the additional bachelor's degree and are therefore no longer subject to assessment.

The additional bachelor's degree has the same value as the main bachelor's degree and provides immediate access to the corresponding master's degree.

The following second degrees are available:

• Bachelor in Philosophy [Dual Bachelor’s degree for the holder of a Bachelor in Sociology and Anthropology]
• Bachelor in Law [Dual Bachelor’s degree for the holder of a Bachelor in Sociology and Anthropology]

For further information, please contact the faculty administration: espo-slb@uclouvain.be.