FHEQ level

This course is set at Level 6 in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Course Aims

The overall aim is to produce competent sociologists - with a range of empirical knowledge which they can evaluate and relate to theories, and with a grasp of how to carry out library and field research - and who have also gained transferable practical and intellectual skills. In addition, they will have taken other courses, chosen from a range which will in different ways complement and extend their social-scientific knowledge.

Course Learning Outcomes

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

A. Knowledge and Understanding

A1. Familiarity with major sociological concepts and theories, and their applicability.
A2. Knowledge of two different societies, and understanding of what may be learned by comparing them.
A3. Awareness of key philosophical issues arising in the development of sociological explanations.
A4. Awareness of the ways in which sociological explanations differ from commonsense ones.
A5. Familiarity with major methods of data collection in sociology, and their appropriate uses.
A6. Basic knowledge of some standard computer software for the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
A7. Knowledge of a number of areas of specialised study within sociology, some broad core topics and others more specialised topics treated in greater depth.

Assessment

1. Coursework exercises on different research methods.
2. Coursework essays.
3. Unseen examinations.
4. Extended essays.
5. Dissertation.

Teaching and Learning Methods Used to Enable Outcomes to Be Achieved and Demonstrated

1. Lectures and related seminars.
2. Essays on appropriate topics.
3. Workshops and class exercises on methods of data collection and analysis.

B. Intellectual Skills

B1. The ability to formulate a research question and plan how to answer it.
B2. Critical evaluation of the adequacy of theories to data.
B3. Critical evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of empirical work as evidence for conclusions.
B4. The ability to collate a range of appropriate sources and structure material from them to answer a question.
B5. The ability to recognise general issues in concrete cases.

Assessment

1. Project proposal [coursework].
2. Coursework essays.
3. Extended essays.

Teaching and Learning Methods Used

1. Lectures;
2. Seminars;
3. Individual supervision [on personal project];
4. Appropriate essay questions set, and feedback given on form as well as content;
5. Short written exercises of different kinds [e.g. create a precis, interpret a table].

C. Practical Skills

C1. Carry out interviews, observation and content analysis.
C2. Make simple analyses of quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate computer programs.
C3. Conduct a literature search.
C4. Produce a correctly formatted bibliography.
C5. Time management in planning long-term work programmes.

Assessment

1. Coursework exercises on methods.
2. Project proposal and report.
3. Library skills coursework exercise.

Teaching and Learning Methods Used

1. Class and field practical exercises;
2. Library skills training.
3. Standard essay requirements and feedback given on form as well as content.

D. Transferable Skills

D1. Use of word processing and e mail- use of electronic modes of information retrieval.
D2. Giving effective oral presentations.
D3. Working with groups for a shared goal.
D4. People skills in gaining research access and cooperation.

Assessment

1. One individual and one group presentation.
2. Coursework skills exercise.

Teaching and Learning Methods Used

1. Initial IT skills test, with Computing Centre courses to be taken in weak areas.
2. Group work on evaluation of a book.
3. Research methods practical exercises and project work.
4. Lectures and individual supervision on how to give presentations.
5. Qualitative feedback on performance.

Full-time course composition