Making Sociology Relevant in Vocational Degrees: Strengthening Engagement through Pedagogy

SOC101, Understanding the Social World, is a compulsory first-year sociology subject that is service taught into a range of vocational degree programs. SOC101 was redeveloped to increase student engagement and to enhance student understanding of the relevance of sociology. This study evaluated the redevelopment by interrogating qualitative comments from Student Experience Surveys three years before and three years after the redevelopment. An analysis of student comments focused on the efficacy of learning and teaching pedagogies in relation to the aims of the redevelopment. The study demonstrates how service taught sociology subjects can increase engagement and relevance for vocationally focused students via critical pedagogies. While analysis focuses on pedagogical concerns, we do so within the context of the contemporary corporatised university. We conclude that many students do not benefit from innovative pedagogies due to neoliberal policies that reduce interaction hours, assessment, and attendance requirements.