Programme Specification
BSc (Hons) Sociology
Academic Year: 2018/19
This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.
This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.
This specification should be read in conjunction with:
- Reg. XX (Undergraduate Awards) (see University Regulations)
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
| Awarding body/institution | º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ |
| Teaching institution (if different) | N/A |
| Owning school/department | School of Social Sciences - pre 2019 |
| Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | N/A |
| Final award | BSc / BSc+DIntS / BSc+DPS |
| Programme title | Sociology |
| Programme code | SSUB01 |
| Length of programme | BSc (Hons): 3 years full-time, BSc (Hons) DPS/DInts: 4 years full-time (including a one-year placement) |
| UCAS code | L300, L301 |
| Admissions criteria | BSc - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/l300 BSc+DIntS /DPS - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/l301 |
| Date at which the programme specification was published | Wed, 05 Sep 2018 11:28:02 BST |
1. Programme Aims
- To provide an intellectually stimulating environment in which students can develop the critical and practical skills of a sociologist.
- To provide students with the opportunity to study sociology in a multidisciplinary context where the value of interdisciplinary analysis is explored.
- To enable students to gain a broad knowledge and understanding of sociology, especially concerning the relations between personal troubles of milieu and public issues of social structure.
- To enable students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of issues in sociology through specialist study and research.
- To enable students to learn about the key concepts, theories and methods of sociology.
- To enable students to interpret and analyse social processes and structures.
- To enable students to compare different social arrangements.
- To enable students to address key issues in sociological analysis and in society, including social inequality and cultural diversity.
- To enable students to appreciate alternative perspectives in social science.
- To enable students to appreciate the value of sociological approaches in non-academic contexts.
- To enhance students’ career and employment opportunities on graduating.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
- The Benchmark Statement for Sociology
- Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)
- University Learning and Teaching Strategy
- External Examiners’ Reports for BSc Sociology
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
3.1 Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
- Understand basic sociological concepts, such as identity, inequality, social structure and social change.
- Describe and examine classical and contemporary social theories.
- Evaluate contemporary social issues from a sociological perspective.
- Apply a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Analyse social diversity and inequality.
- Analyse the relationship between individuals, groups and society.
- Discuss the role of culture, media and representation in social life.
- Explain social change, including from an historical and global perspective.
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- Assess the merits of varied social theories and explanations.
- Formulate sociological research questions and select appropriate research methods to answer them.
- Evaluate and interpret research evidence on social life.
- Synthesize and critically reflect on sociological theories and empirical studies.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- Communicate sociological knowledge in oral presentations.
- Communicate sociological knowledge in advanced formats, e.g. posters, video, oral debates.
- Interpret and analyse sociologically relevant statistical data.
- Design and execute practical sociological research.
- Apply ethical principles in sociological research.
- Use sociological knowledge to find solutions to public and social policy and private enterprise.
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- Master basic study skills e.g. referencing, use of databases.
- Locate and evaluate sources of information, synthesize information and deploy it in reasoned argument.
- Communicate and present information e.g. construct written arguments, contribute to group discussions
- Communicate and present information using more advanced formats e.g. prepare posters, write reports, oral presentations using powerpoint, preparation of videos.
- Design and execute research projects.
- Work in teams.
- Use statistical and other quantitative skills, including use of statistical software.
- Manage time and work: plan time and resources independently in the light of deadlines.
4. Programme structure
Programme Code: SSUB01
This is a three-year long full-time degree programme. In each of the three parts (years) of the degree (A, B and C), students take modules amounting to 120 credits. In addition, students have the opportunity to undertake a Placement Year (Part I) after Part B.
Important Note: No module may be taken and passed more than once. Optional module availability is subject to timetabling constraints and optional modules may be subject to change.
Part A - Introductory Modules
COMPULSORY MODULES (70 credits)
Semester 1
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSA001 |
Identities and Inequalities |
10 |
|
SSA003 |
Sociological Imagination |
10 |
|
SSA305 |
Foundations in Social Sciences |
10 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSA002 |
Global, Social and Cultural Change |
10 |
Semester 1 and 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSA009 |
Introduction to Research Methods |
30 |
OPTIONAL MODULES
Student must choose FIVE 10 credit options from the following:
Semester 1
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
EUA620 |
The Contemporary World Arena |
10 |
|
GYA004 |
Geographies of Global Economic Change |
10 |
|
SSA156 |
Self and Identity |
10 |
|
SSA201 |
Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy A |
10 |
|
SSA301 |
Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: Contemporary Trends and Issues |
10 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
GYA104 |
Geographies of Identity |
10 |
|
EUA607 |
Understanding Demographic Institutions |
10 |
|
SSA158 |
Ideas and Controversies |
10 |
|
SSA202 |
Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy B |
10 |
|
SSA302 |
Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: Historical Themes and Perspectives |
10 |
Semesters 1 and 2
Students can also choose other modules from the University’s Module Catalogue, approved by the School of Social Sciences for inclusion in the programme, including languages in French, German, Spanish and Mandarin.
Part B - Degree Modules
COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits)
Semester 1
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSB010 |
Social Theories |
20 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSB026 |
Globalisation and its ‘Consequences’ |
20 |
|
SSB036 |
Digital Lives and Society |
10 |
Semesters 1 and 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
| SSB009 | Advanced Research Methods | 30 |
OPTIONAL MODULES
Students take 40 credits worth of options across two semesters. A selection will be offered from the following list, plus language modules:
Semester 1
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSB023 |
Religion and Society |
10 |
|
SSB128 |
Political Psychology |
10 |
|
SSB216 |
Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors |
10 |
|
SSB360 |
The Media in Global Context |
10 |
|
EUB630 |
British Politics |
10 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSB234 |
Media, Culture and Crime |
10 |
|
SSB239 |
Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy |
10 |
|
SSB175 |
Psychological Disorders in Society |
10 |
|
SSB352 |
Political Communication |
10 |
|
EUB604 |
Comparative European Politics |
20 |
Semesters 1 and 2
|
Language Options: Students may choose to take a language option in either semester, however this must carry on from a language in Part A. |
10 |
Information for students wishing to take a Study Abroad or Placement Year
Study Abroad: Candidates have the opportunity to apply for permission to undertake an approved course of study at either a European university which is a member of the EU approved Erasmus Exchange programmes in the School of Social Sciences or any other University with which the University has exchange study arrangements. Such a course of study must be undertaken in place of one Semester at Part B.
For students opting to take the Study Abroad scheme in Semester 2
Semester 1 Compulsory Modules total modular weight 40 credits:
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSB010 |
Social Theories |
20 |
|
SSB393 |
Advanced Research Methods A (Erasmus) |
20 |
In addition, depending on the credit gained through the Semester Abroad, students are enrolled on one of the following modules:
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSB097 |
Study Abroad Module |
50 |
|
SSB098 |
Study Abroad Module |
60 |
|
SSB099 |
Study Abroad Module |
70 |
Optional modules: Depending on the credit gained through the Study Abroad semester, students take either 10, 20 or 30 credits worth of options in Semester 1. A selection of optional modules will be offered every year from the Part B list provided above.
For students opting to take the Study Abroad scheme in Semester 1
Semester 2 Compulsory modules total modular weight 50 credits:
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSB026 |
Globalisation and its ’Consequences' |
20 |
|
SSB394 |
Advanced Research Methods B (Erasmus) |
20 |
|
SSB036 |
Digital Lives and Society |
10 |
In addition, depending on the credit gained through the Semester Abroad, students are enrolled on one of the following modules:
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSB097 |
Study Abroad Module |
50 |
|
SSB098 |
Study Abroad Module |
60 |
|
SSB099 |
Study Abroad Module |
70 |
Optional modules: Depending on the credit gained through the Study Abroad semester, students take either 10, 20 or 30 credits worth of options in Semester 2. A selection of optional modules will be offered every year from the Part B list provided above.
Part I: Placement or Study Abroad Year
Placement Year: Students have the opportunity to take a work placement or study abroad year (Part I) after successful completion of Part B. Two placement routes are available:
- Diploma of Professional Studies (DPS) Route: Students taking this route undertake a programme of professional training leading to the Diploma of Professional Studies (DPS) in accordance with Senate Regulation XI (module code SSI001).
- Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) Route: Students taking this route can either undertake a full year study abroad or undertake a British Council approved Teaching Assistantship either at a school or other approved placement in a French, German or Spanish speaking country in accordance with Senate Regulation XI. Successful completion of either route leads to the award of the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS). It should be noted that students undertaking a Teaching Assistantship should have a minimum of AS level in the appropriate language, or its equivalent. The equivalent level in the University Wide Language Programme is level 4. Note that students undertaking a Teaching Assistantship will be registered on module EUI002. Students undertaking a study abroad placement will be registered on SSI002.
- Registration on the DIntS and DPS routes is subject to School approval and satisfactory performance during Parts A and B.
Depending on the Placement type, students are enrolled on one of the following modules:
Semesters 1 and 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSI001 |
Diploma in Professional Studies Placement (DPS) |
120 |
|
SSI002 |
Diploma in International Studies Placement (DIntS) - for study abroad placements |
120 |
|
EUI002 |
Diploma in International Studies Placement (DIntS) - for the Teaching Assistantship Scheme |
120 |
Students opting for the Erasmus Study Abroad scheme in Part B will only be allowed to undertake a placement year (DIntS or DPS) in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the School.
Part C
COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits)
Semester 1
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSC032 |
Investigating the Social World |
10 |
|
SSC024 |
Gender, Sex and Society |
20 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSC035 |
Consumption, Culture and Everyday Life |
10 |
Semester 1 and 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Weight |
|
SSC099 |
Sociology Project Dissertation |
40 |
OPTIONAL MODULES
Students take 40 credits worth of options across two semesters. A selection will be offered from the list below, plus language modules:
Semester 1
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSC238 |
Youth Justice |
20 |
|
SSC020 |
Race and Racism |
20 |
|
SSC130 |
Social Psychology of Everyday Life |
20 |
|
SSC316 |
Media, Memory and History |
20 |
|
EUC680 |
The Populist Challenge to Democracy |
20 |
|
EUC604 |
State, Violence and Terrorism |
20 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSC239 |
Green Criminology: Environmental Crimes and Harms |
20 |
|
SSC237 |
Sex Work and Sex Industries |
20 |
|
SSC357 |
Producing the News |
20 |
|
EUC677 |
Britain and the EU |
20 |
|
EUC665 |
Postwar Britain: The Start of the Decline |
20 |
Semesters 1 and 2
|
Language Options: Students may choose to take a language option in either semester, however this must carry on from a language in Part B. |
10 |
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.
6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification
Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% : Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.
