Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide an intellectually stimulating environment in which students can develop the critical and practical skills of the communication and media analyst.
• To provide students with the opportunity to study communication and media in a multidisciplinary context where the value of interdisciplinary analysis is explored.
• To enable students to gain a broad knowledge and understanding of communication and media.
• To enable students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of issues in communication and media through specialist study and research.
• To enable students to learn about the key concepts, theories and methods of communication and media.
• To enable students to interpret and analyse communication/media processes and structures.
• To enable students to compare different communication and media arrangements.
• To enable students to address key issues in communication and media analysis and in society more generally.
• To enable students to appreciate alternative perspectives in the social sciences.
• To enhance students’ career and employment opportunities on graduating.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• The Benchmark Statement for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy
• External Examiners’ Reports for BSc Communication and Media Studies 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

• Knowledge of the major traditions of thought and analysis which have contributed to the study of media and communications. 

• Knowledge of contemporary debates on appropriate frameworks and theories.

• Knowledge of the major styles of research and investigation relevant to the study of media and communications, their strengths and weaknesses and epistemological underpinnings.

• Understanding of the historical development of media and communicative practices and institutions.

• Understanding of the inter-relations between media and communicative structures and practices and economic and political dynamics.

• Understanding of how media organisations operate and of the ethical and policy issues posed by their practices. 

• Understanding of the ways in which media and communicative forms construct the shared meanings that comprise public cultures and subcultures, and of the issues of representation these practices raise.

• Understanding of the role of media and communications 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 the programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

• Draw on ideas from a range of domains and disciplines and combine them productively. 

• Critically appraise prevailing understandings of contemporary developments in media and communications and contribute effectively to the debates surrounding them.

• 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: 

• Retrieve information from electronic and other sources and evaluate the materials collected critically. 

• Demonstrate practical competence in using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods of research. 

• Initiate, develop and realise a substantial self directed project (with appropriate guidance).

• Participate effectively in group projects.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

• Gather, organise and deploy ideas and information in order to formulate arguments cogently and express them effectively in oral and written forms.

• Organise and manage self-directed projects (with appropriate guidance).

• Work individually, flexibly and independently showing self-discipline, self direction and reflexivity. 

• Work productively in a group or team, displaying at different times abilities to listen, contribute and lead effectively.

• Demonstrate familiarity with relevant applications of Information Technology, including data analysis packages, and competence in using them. 

• Deliver required work to a given length, format, brief and deadline. 

• Consider and evaluate their own work in a reflexive manner.

4. Programme structure

Programme Code: SSUB04 

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 each part, credit splits across the two semesters may be 60:60, 50:70 or 70:50 (depending on the credit weights available).  In addition, students have the opportunity to undertake a Placement Year (Part I) after Part B or a Study Abroad scheme at Part B. 

Important Note: No module may be taken and passed more than once. Module availability is subject to timetabling constraints.

Part A - Introductory Modules 

COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits) 

Semester 1 

Semester 2 

Semester 1 and 2 

In addition to the above compulsory modules, students must choose 40 modular weights-worth of optional modules, of which at least 20 (one from each semester) must be from the selection shown below. Students may choose to take all four of the options below:

Semester 1 

Semester 2 

If only 20 modular weights are chosen, students must choose two further 10-weight modules from the following: 

Semester 1 

Semester 2 

Semesters 1 and 2 

Students can also choose other modules from the University’s Module Catalogue, approved by the Department of Social Sciences for inclusion in the programme, including languages in French, German, Spanish and Mandarin.

Note: the ratio of modules chosen across the semesters may be 70:50 or 50:70. Or other modules in the University’s Module Catalogue approved by the Department for inclusion in the programme, including languages in French, German, Spanish and Mandarin.  

Part B - Degree Modules 

COMPULSORY MODULES (90 credits)

Semester 1 

Semester 2 

Semester 1 and 2 

OPTIONAL MODULES

Students take 30 credits worth of options across two semesters. A selection will be offered from the following list, plus language modules:

Semester 1

 Semester 2

Semesters 1 and 2

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 Department 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 50 credits:

In addition, depending on the credit gained through the Semester Abroad, students are enrolled on one of the following modules:

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 40 credits:

In addition, depending on the credit gained through the Semester Abroad, students are enrolled on one of the following modules:

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 Year

Placement Year: Students have the opportunity to take a placement year (Part I) after successful completion of Part B. Three 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.
• Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) Route: Students taking this route undertake a programme of industrial training leading to the award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) in the UK or abroad in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.
• Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) Route: Students taking this route 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 this 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 taking this Teaching Assistantship scheme through the Department of Politics, History and International Relations will be registered on module EUI002.  Students taking other work abroad placement opportunities will be registered on SSI002.

Registration on the DIntS, DIS and DPS routes is subject to Departmental 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

Students opting for the Study Abroad scheme in Part B (4.2.2.) will only be allowed to undertake placement year (DIntS, DIS or DPS) in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Department.

Part C

COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits)

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 1 and 2

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

 Semester 2

Semesters 1 and 2

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.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide students with an intellectually stimulating environment in which they can develop the necessary critical and practical skills for the analysis of criminology and social policy. 
• To provide students with the opportunity to study criminology and social policy in a multidisciplinary context where the value of interdisciplinary analysis is explored.
• To enable students to gain a broad knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and empirical bases of criminology and social policy.
• To enable students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of particular aspects of criminology and social policy.
• To provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the historical origins and development of British social policy and social issues and associated welfare agencies.
• To provide students with an understanding of how public concerns become issues of social and criminal justice policy and practiceand appear on the social agenda, and how policies are formulated and implemented.
• To familiarise students with British organisational and institutional arrangements for addressing issues of social and criminal justice policy and practice.
• To develop students’ ability to theorise about issues in criminology and social policy.
• To provide students with a knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues relating to criminal justice and agencies of criminal justice in England and Wales.
• To familiarise students with contemporary issues in policing and crime control.
• To develop the ability of students to conduct independent enquiry in the fields of criminology and social policy, using appropriate methodologies.
• To provide a high quality honours programme in criminology and social policy, which enhances students’ career and employment opportunities on graduating.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• The Benchmark Statement for Social Policy and Administration
• The Benchmark Statement for Criminology
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy
• External Examiners’ Reports for BSc Criminology and Social Policy

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:

• A broad overview of contemporary British social policy.
• A broad overview of contemporary British criminology.
• A detailed knowledge of a number of key issues in social policy.
• A detailed knowledge of a number of key issues in criminology.
• An understanding of the nature of crime and how the relevant agencies and agents respond to it.
• An understanding of the policy process, and the agencies and agents through which social policies are developed and delivered.
• An understanding of the main theoretical approaches within criminology and their relevance in any analysis of specific criminological issues.
• An understanding of the main theoretical approaches and ideologies associated with welfare provision and of their relevance in any analysis of specific areas of social policy or particular social issues.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Understand criminological and social policy questions and investigate them.
• Have an appreciation of the complexity of criminological and social problems and be able to assess the merits of competing theories and explanations.
• Interpret the values and practices of agencies that respond to criminological and social policy issues.
• Apply relevant theory and research methods to problems and questions in criminology and social policy.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Understand the nature of questions in social policy and criminology and investigate them.
• Use appropriate analytical methods and research tools in relation to criminological and social problems; including quantitative, qualitative and evaluative techniques.
• Analyse and assess social policy and criminological findings methodologically and communicate information about them.
• Examine the relevance of social policy and criminological research at a national and international level.
• Communicate ideas for different audiences orally and to write essays, reports and a major dissertation.
• Act professionally and in accordance with ethical propriety.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Marshal evidence in support of arguments and analysis.
• Produce reasoned and structured arguments both orally and in writing.
• Use information technology: use instructional material and research tools on computers, and search for relevant material on the internet.
• Collect data in numerical form, present it in tables and graphs, and analyse it with a range of statistical tools.
• Clarify questions, consider alternative solutions and evaluate outcomes.
• Share responsibility for a task with others; agree common goals and methods to achieve them; co-ordinate the use of common resources.
• Write and speak clearly to topic; to draft and edit presentations and contribute actively to group discussion.
• Manage self-learning: seek out sources of information, plan time to make the best use of resources and review priorities in the light of deadlines.

4. Programme structure

Programme Code:  SSUB03

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 each part, credit splits across the two semesters may be 60:60, 50:70 or 70:50 (depending on the credit weights available).  In addition, students have the opportunity to undertake a Placement Year (Part I) after Part B.

Important note: No modules may be taken and passed more than once. Module availability is subject to timetabling constraints. 

Part A - Introductory Modules

COMPULSORY MODULES (100 credits)

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 1 and 2

OPTIONAL MODULES

Students take TWO 10 credit options from the following:

If only 20 modular weights are chosen, students must choose two further 10-weight modules from the following: 

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semesters 1 and 2

Students can also choose other modules from the University’s Module Catalogue, approved by the Department 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

Semester 2

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

 Semester 2

Semesters 1 and 2

Part I:  Placement Year

Placement Year: Students have the opportunity to take a placement year (Part I) after successful completion of Part B. Three 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.
• Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) Route: Students taking this route undertake a programme of industrial training leading to the award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) in the UK or abroad in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.
• Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) Route: Students taking this route 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 this 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 taking this Teaching Assistantship scheme through the Department of Politics, History and International Relations will be registered on module EUI002.  Students taking other work abroad placement opportunities will be registered on SSI002.

Registration on the DIntS, DIS and DPS routes is subject to Departmental 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

Students opting for the Study Abroad scheme in Part B (4.2.2.) will only be allowed to undertake placement year (DIntS, DIS or DPS) in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Department.

Part C

COMPULSORY MODULES (60 credits)

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 1 and 2

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

 Semester 2

Semesters 1 and 2

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.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide students with the opportunity to study psychology from a social perspective in the multidisciplinary context of a Social Sciences Department in a way that fosters critical evaluation of psychological theory and research, the relations between psychology and its cognate disciplines, both academically and in its real-life application.
• To provide an intellectually stimulating environment in which students develop systematic and scientific understandings of key and cutting-edge aspects of psychology in a social psychological context, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge of mind, brain, behaviour, and experience, and of the complex interactions between these.
• To enable students to devise and sustain arguments and solve problems throughout their development of a conceptually and empirically grounded understanding of social psychology and core psychological topics, and be able to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to different types of audiences.
• To develop students’ ability to critically evaluate arguments, assumptions and abstract concepts, understand of the role of empirical evidence in the creation and testing of theory and appreciate the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge.
• To enable students to deploy accurately established techniques of  quantitative and qualitative research techniques and methods for investigating experience and behaviour culminating in an ability to conduct research independently.
• To enable students to manage their own learning, exercise initiative and responsibility, use scholarly materials and primary sources, which maximises students’ opportunities to graduate with the abilities needed to undertake further training and enhance their employability.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• The QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Psychology.
• Requirements of the British Psychological Society which undertakes regular two-yearly ongoing monitoring and a full Review once every five years, including their curriculum.
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy
• External Examiners’ Reports for BSc Social Psychology 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

The Social Psychology degree teaches the broad range of psychology, but necessarily emphasises the social psychological base of the discipline.  In keeping with the British Psychological Society requirements for accreditation, students develop knowledge and understanding of psychological topics in the areas listed below, assessed separately at Level I or H as defined by the QAA Framework for HE Qualifications. On successful completion of this programme, students will therefore be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. Social psychology: e.g., social cognition, attribution, attitudes, group processes and intergroup relations, close relationships and social constructionism.
2. Cognitive psychology: e.g., perception, learning, memory, thinking, language, consciousness and cognitive neuropsychology.
3. Individual differences and personality: e.g., abnormal and normal personality, psychological testing, intelligence, cognitive style, emotion, motivation and mood.
4. Developmental psychology: e.g., childhood, adolescence and life-span development, development of attachment, social relations, cognitive and language development, social and cultural contexts of development.
5. Biological psychology: e.g., biological bases of behaviour, hormones and behaviour, behavioural genetics, neuropsychology, sociobiology and evolutionary psychology.
6. Conceptual and historical issues in psychology: e.g., the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline, its historical origins, development and limitations.
7. Research design, including qualitative and quantitative methods, the nature and appropriate statistical analysis of data, psychometrics and measurement techniques, an empirical project.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students are able to:

• Apply multiple perspectives to psychological issues, recognising that psychology involves a range of research methods, theories, evidence and applications.
• Reason scientifically and integrate ideas and findings across psychology and recognise distinctive psychological approaches to relevant issues.
• Critically analyse methods and theory in psychology and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence.
• Apply psychological theory and research methods of psychology to problems in everyday life and social institutions.
• Identify and evaluate general patterns in behaviour, psychological functioning and experience.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to

• Generate and explore hypotheses and research questions.
• Carry out empirical studies involving a variety of methods of data collection, including experiments, observation, psychometric tests, questionnaires, interviews and field studies.
• Analyse data using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Present and evaluate research findings.
• Employ evidence-based reasoning and examine practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with the use of different methodologies, paradigms and methods of analysis in psychology.
• Use a variety of psychological tools, including specialist software, laboratory equipment and psychometric instruments.
• Carry out an extensive piece of independent empirical research, including defining a research problem; formulating testable hypotheses/research questions; choosing appropriate methodologies; planning and carrying out a study efficiently; demonstrating awareness of ethical issues and current codes of ethics and conduct; obtaining the appropriate ethical approval for their research; demonstrating ability to reason about the data and present the findings effectively; discussing findings in terms of previous research; evaluating methodologies and analyses employed and implications for ethics; and, where appropriate.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

1. Communicate effectively through written, oral and visual means, and be able to develop a cogent argument supported by relevant evidence, sensitive to the needs and expectations of an audience.
2. Comprehend and use numerical, statistical and other forms of data effectively.
3. Be computer literate, retrieve and organise information effectively, and handle primary source material critically.
4. Problem solve and reason scientifically, identify and pose research questions, to consider alternative approaches to their solutions and to evaluate outcomes.
5. Make critical judgements and evaluation, be able to take different perspectives on issues and problems, to evaluate them in a critical manner to arrive at supported conclusions.
6. Be sensitive to contextual and interpersonal factors that shape behaviour and social interaction including understanding interpersonal conflict and the importance of enhancing cooperation to maximise the effectiveness of individual skills as shown in group work and team building.
7. Be independent and pragmatic as learners, taking responsibility for their own learning and skill development.

4. Programme structure

Programme Code: SSUB02

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 each part, credit splits across the two semesters may be 60:60, 50:70 or 70:50 (depending on the credit weights available).  In addition, students have the opportunity to undertake a Placement Year (Part I) after Part B or a Study Abroad scheme at Part B.

Important note: No module may be taken and passed more than once. Module availability is subject to timetabling constraints. 

Part A - Introductory Modules

COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits)

Semester 1

Semester 2

OPTIONAL MODULES

Students take FOUR 10 credit options from the following (students must choose at least one Social Sciences option per Semester):

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semesters 1 and 2

Students can also choose other modules from the University’s Module Catalogue, approved by the Department of Social Sciences for inclusion in the programme, including languages in French, German, Spanish and Mandarin.

Part B - Degree Modules

COMPULSORY MODULES (120 credits)

Semester 1

Semester 2

NO OPTIONAL MODULES

Part I

Placement Year: Students have the opportunity to take a placement year (Part I) after successful completion of Part B. Three 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 the UK or abroad in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.
• Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) Route: Students taking this route undertake a programme of industrial training leading to the award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) in the UK or abroad in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.
• Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) Route: Students taking this route 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 this 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 taking this Teaching Assistantship scheme through the Department of Politics, History and International Relations will be registered on module EUI002.  Students taking other work abroad placement opportunities will be registered on SSI002.

Registration on the DIntS, DIS and DPS routes is subject to Departmental 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

Part C

COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits)

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semesters 1 and 2

OPTIONAL MODULES

Students take THREE 20 credit options from the following: (students choosing a language option should choose both Semesters 1 and 2 (20 credits)

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semesters 1 and 2

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.

Subject to the provisions of Regulation XX, candidates who have the right of reassessment in any Part of the programme may opt to undergo reassessment in the University’s Special Assessment Period, subject to SAP restrictions on SSA107, SSA108, SSB103, SSB104, SSB105 and SSB106.

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.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide an intellectually stimulating environment in which students can develop the critical and practical skills of the 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 and internal 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: 

1. Understand basic sociological concepts, such as identity, inequality, social structure and social change.
2. Describe and examine classical and contemporary social theories.
3. Evaluate contemporary social issues from a sociological perspective.
4. Apply a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
5. Analyse social diversity and inequality.
6. Analyse the relationship between individuals, groups and society.
7. Discuss the role of culture, media and representation in social life.
8. 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:

1. Assess the merits of varied social theories and explanations.
2. Formulate sociological research questions and select appropriate research methods to answer them.
3. Evaluate and interpret research evidence on social life.
4. 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:

1. Communicate sociological knowledge in oral presentations.
2. Communicate sociological knowledge in advanced formats, e.g. posters, video, oral debates.
3. Interpret and analyse sociologically relevant statistical data.
4. Design and execute practical sociological research.
5. Apply ethical principles in sociological research.
6. 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:

1. Master basic study skills e.g. referencing, use of databases.
2. Locate and evaluate sources of information, synthesize information and deploy it in reasoned argument.
3. Communicate and present information e.g. construct written arguments, contribute to group discussions
4. Communicate and present information using more advanced formats e.g. prepare posters, write reports, oral presentations using powerpoint, preparation of videos.
5. Design and execute research projects.
6. Work in teams.
7. Use statistical and other quantitative skills, including use of statistical software.
8. Manage time and work: plan time and resources independently in the light of deadlines.