Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

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:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
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.

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