Programme Specification
BSc (Hons) Sociology
Academic Year: 2015/16
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 | Loughborough University |
| Teaching institution (if different) | N/A |
| Owning school/department | Department of Social Sciences - pre 2018 |
| Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | N/A |
| Final award | BSc/ BSc+DIntS/ BSc+DIS/ BSc+DPS |
| Programme title | Sociology |
| Programme code | SSUB01 |
| Length of programme | BSc (Hons): 3 years full-time, BSc (Hons) DPS/DInts/DIS: 4 years full-time (including a one-year placement) |
| UCAS code | L300 |
| Admissions criteria | http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/socialsciences/sociology/ |
| Date at which the programme specification was published | Fri, 14 Aug 2015 14:01:22 BST |
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 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 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 (60 credits)
Semester 1
| Code | Module Title | Credit |
| SSA001 | Introduction to Sociology: Identities and Inequalities | 10 |
| SSA003 | Sociological Imagination | 10 |
| SSA208 | Narratives of Crime and Social Justice | 10 |
Semester 2
| SSA002 | Introduction to Sociology: Global, Social and Cultural Change | 10 |
| SSA007 | Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis | 10 |
Semester 1 and 2
| SSA305 | Foundation in Social Sciences | 10 |
OPTIONAL MODULES
Student must choose SIX 10 credit options from the following:
Semester 1
| Code | Module Title | Credit |
| EUA607 | Introduction to Democratic Government | 10 |
| GYA004 | Geographies of Global Economic Change | 10 |
| SSA101 | Introduction to Social Psychology - Cognition and Social Influences | 10 |
| SSA201 | Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy A | 10 |
| SSA301 | Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: Contemporary Trends and Issues | 10 |
Semester 2
| EUA614 | Political Ideologies | 10 |
| GYA104 | Geographies of Identity | 10 |
| SSA102 | Introduction to Social Psychology: Self in Social Context | 10 |
| SSA202 | Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy B | 10 |
| SSA302 | Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: Historical Debates and Perspectives | 10 |
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.
| Language Options: Students who wish to take a language are required to do both Semester 1 and Semester 2 modules | 10 |
Part B - Degree Modules
COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits)
Semester 1
| Code | Module Title | Credit |
| SSB006 | Social Research Methods | 20 |
| SSB008 | Classical Social Theories | 10 |
| SSB026 | Sociology in Historical and Global Context | 10 |
Semester 2
| SSB007 | Advanced Research Methods | 10 |
| SSB010 | Contemporary Social Theories | 20 |
OPTIONAL MODULES
Students take FOUR 10 credit options or ONE 20 credit option and TWO 10 credit options from the following:
Semester 1
| Code | Module Title | Credit |
| EUB630 | British Politics | 20 |
| SSB034 | Surveillance Society | 10 |
| SSB216 | Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors | 10 |
| SSB360 | The Media in Global Context | 10 |
Semester 2
| EUB604 | Comparative European Politics | 20 |
| SSB023 | Religion and Society | 10 |
| SSB234 | Media, Culture and Crime | 10 |
| SSB238 | Green Criminology | 10 |
Semesters 1 and 2
| Language Options: Students who wish to take a language are required to do both Semester 1 and Semester 2 modules | 20 |
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 40 credits:
| Code | Module Title | Credit |
| SSB006 | Social Research Methods | 20 |
| SSB008 | Classical Social Theories | 10 |
| SSB026 | Sociology in Historical and Global Context | 10 |
In addition, depending on the credit gained through the Semester Abroad, students are enrolled on one of the following modules:
| 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 30 credits:
| SSB007 | Advanced Research Methods | 10 |
| SSB010 | Contemporary Social Theories | 20 |
In addition, depending on the credit gained through the Semester Abroad, students are enrolled on one of the following modules:
| 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 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
| Code | Module Title | Weight |
| SSI001 | Diploma in Professional Studies Placement (DPS) | 120 |
| SSI002 | Diploma in International Studies Placement (DIntS) - for work placements abroad | 120 |
| EUI002 | Diploma in International Studies Placement (DIntS) - for the Teaching Assistantship Scheme | 120 |
| SSI003 | Diploma in Industrial Studies Placement (DIS) | 120 |
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
| Code | Module Title | Credit |
| SSC032 | The Individual and Society | 10 |
Semester 2
| SSC033 | Communicating Sociology | 10 |
Semester 1 and 2
| Code | Module Title | Weight |
| SSC099ORSSC499 | Communication and Media Studies Project DissertationORProfessional and Applied Social Sciences Dissertation | 40 |
OPTIONAL MODULES
Students take 60 credits worth of options across two semesters. A selection will be offered from the list below, plus language modules:
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credit |
| SSC013 | Sociology of Tourism | 20 |
| SSC130 | Social Psychology of Everyday Life | 20 |
| SSC138 | Forensic Psychology | 20 |
| SSC219 | Criminology of Violence | 20 |
| SSC316 | Media, Memory and History | 20 |
| EUC631 | Yugoslavia: Its 20th Century | 20 |
| EUC672 | The European Union and the Global Political Economy | 20 |
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credit |
| SSC022 | Body, Health and the Digital | 20 |
| SSC233 | Crime and Deviance in Sport | 20 |
| SSC357 | Producing the News | 20 |
| EUC674 | Power, Violence and Human Suffering | 20 |
Semesters 1 and 2
| Language Options: Students who wish to take a language are required to do both Semester 1 and Semester 2 modules | 20 |
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.
