Programme Specification
BSc Sociology and Media
Academic Year: 2020/21
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) | |
| Owning school/department | School of Social Sciences and Humanities |
| Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | |
| Final award | BSc |
| Programme title | Sociology and Media |
| Programme code | SSUB09 |
| Length of programme | 3-year/4-year inc. DPS or DIntS |
| UCAS code | PL33/PL34 |
| Admissions criteria | |
| Date at which the programme specification was published | Tue, 18 Aug 2020 15:25:07 BST |
1. Programme Aims
- To provide students with an intellectually-stimulating environment within which they can develop the skills to enable them to comprehend, interpret and analyse the social world and the role of communication and media within society.
- To provide students with the opportunity to study a broad multidisciplinary curriculum which covers the main theories, concepts and practices of sociology and media studies.
- To enable students to gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of issues in sociology and media studies through specialist study and research.
- To address key issues in sociological analysis and in society, including social inequality and cultural diversity.
- To enable students to interpret and analyse communication/media processes and structures.
- To enhance students’ career and employment prospects on graduating by developing a range of transferable skills embedded in the programme.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
- Subject Benchmark Statement: Sociology (QAA, July 2016) and Subject Benchmark Statement: Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies (QAA, July 2016)
- UK Quality Code for Higher Education (QAA, October 2014)
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
3.1 Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
K1 Understand and apply classical and contemporary theories and concepts in sociology and media studies.
K2 Analyse the relationship between individuals, groups and society.
K3 Apply a variety of classical and innovative qualitative and quantitative research methods.
K4 Critically evaluate classical and contemporary research and debates on social and cultural issues.
K5 Explain social change, including from an historical and global perspective.
K6 Critically examine the prominent role played by media and digital communications in the representation of society and social life.
K7 Understand and explain the way media and communication processes and institutions inform and influence public understandings of identity, diversity and inequality.
K8 Understand and explain the role of media and communication in the organisation of everyday life, social identities and belief systems.
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
C1 Assess the merits of varied social and cultural theories and explanations.
C2 Evaluate and interpret research evidence on social life and/or communication and media.
C3 Differentiate and evaluate ideas from a range of domains and disciplines.
C4 Synthesize and critically reflect on the relationship between society and media and cultural institutions.
C5 Formulate appropriate research questions and employ appropriate methods and resources in addressing them
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
P1 Identify and retrieve information relevant to sociology and media studies from a range of relevant sources.
P2 Communicate knowledge of society, media and communications in a variety of formats.
P3 Interpret and critically analyse qualitative and quantitative data relevant to sociology and media studies.
P4 Initiate and develop self-directed research on a topic relevant to sociology and/or media studies.
P5 Use relevant concepts and evidence to suggest solutions to contemporary social and cultural issues at national and international levels.
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
T1 Demonstrate fundamental study skills e.g. academic referencing, use of databases, reporting of information accurately.
T2 Locate, evaluate and synthesise information and deploy it in reasoned argument
T3 Communicate effectively in a variety of formats and with a range of audiences.
T4 Work individually, flexibly and independently showing self-discipline, self-direction and reflexivity.
T5 Work effectively in teams and groups of various sizes.
T6 Manage time and workload effectively to deliver required work to a given length, format, brief and deadline.
4. Programme structure
Programme Code: SSUB09 (2020 ENTRY) – SOCIOLOGY AND MEDIA
The programme lasts three years full-time, with the opportunity to undertake a placement year (Part I – between second and final years). Candidates must take a total modular weight of 120 in each Part (Year) with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester, taking into account both compulsory and optional modules.
Important note: No modules may be taken and passed more than once. Optional module availability is subject to timetabling constraints and optional modules may also be subject to change.
INTRODUCTORY MODULES (Part A)
COMPULSORY MODULES (100 credits)
Semester 1
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSA001 |
Identities and Inequalities |
10 |
|
SSA003 |
Sociological Imagination |
10 |
|
CXA301 |
Introduction to Communication & Media Studies: Contemporary Trends & Issues |
10 |
|
SSA305 |
Foundations in Social Sciences |
10 |
|
SSA004 |
Principles of Social Research Methods |
10 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSA002 |
Global, Social and Cultural Change |
10 |
|
CXA306 |
Media Landscapes |
10 |
|
CXA160 |
Language and Society |
10 |
|
SSA005 |
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods |
10 |
|
SSA006 |
Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods |
10 |
OPTIONAL MODULES
Students must choose ONE 10 credit option in each semester from the following:
Semester 1
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
CXA156 |
Self and Identity |
10 |
|
Languages |
One 10-credit module from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish |
10 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
CXA302 |
Introduction to Communication & Media Studies: Theories, Approaches and Practices |
10 |
|
Languages |
One 10-credit module from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish |
10 |
Semesters 1 and 2
Students can also choose other modules from the University’s Module Catalogue, approved by the School of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Part B
COMPULSORY MODULES (100 credits)
Semester 1
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSB010 |
Social Theories |
20 |
|
CXB301 |
Media, Identity and Inequality |
20 |
|
SSB004 |
Advanced Research Methods A |
10 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
CXB303 |
Media and Social Change |
20 |
|
SSB036 |
Digital Lives and Society |
10 |
|
SSB005 |
Advanced Research Methods B |
20 |
OPTIONAL MODULES
Students must choose ONE 10 credit option in each semester from the following:
Semester 1
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSB216 |
Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors |
10 |
|
CXB360 |
The Media in Global Context |
10 |
|
SSB025 |
Intoxication and Society |
10 |
| CXB317 |
Screen Cultures |
10 |
|
Languages |
One 10-credit module from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and must carry on from a language in Part A |
10 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
CXB366 |
Promotional Culture |
10 |
|
CXB234 |
Media, Culture and Crime |
10 |
|
SSB026 |
Globalisation and its Consequences |
10 |
|
SSB023 |
Religion and Society |
10 |
|
Languages |
One 10-credit module from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and must carry on from a language in Part A |
10 |
Part I: Placement or Study Abroad Year
Candidates will undertake one of the following approved study and/or work placements leading to the Diploma in International Studies or Diploma in Professional Studies in accordance with Regulation XI.
Semesters 1 and 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credit |
|
SSI001 |
Diploma in Professional Studies (work placement) |
120 |
|
SSI002 |
Diploma in International Studies (study abroad) |
120 |
|
LAN900 |
Diploma in International Studies (overseas work placement in a foreign language) |
120 |
|
GYI100 |
Year in Enterprise (DPS) |
120 |
|
GYI200 |
Professional Placement & Overseas Study (6+6) |
120 |
Part C
COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits)
Semester 1
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSC032 |
The Individual and Society |
10 |
|
SSC320 |
Contemporary Media Debates |
10 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSC035 |
Consumption, Culture and Everyday Life |
10 |
|
SSC319 |
Digital Media and Society |
10 |
Semester 1 and 2
Students must choose ONE of the following:
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSC099 |
Sociology Dissertation |
40 |
|
SSC399 |
Communication & Media Studies Project Dissertation |
40 |
OPTIONAL MODULES
Students must choose 40 credits of modules from the selection below, but no more than 30-credits in any one semester:
Semester 1
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSC024 |
Gender, Sex and Society |
20 |
|
SSC318 |
Television and Society |
10 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
|
SSC357 |
Producing the News |
20 |
|
SSC237 |
Sex Work and Sex Industries |
20 |
|
SSC317 |
Documenting the World |
10 |
Semesters 1 and 2
|
Languages |
Two 10-credit modules (one per semester) from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and must carry on from a language at Part B |
20 |
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
In order to progress from Part A to Part B and 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.
