Programme Specifications

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution	Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)	N/A
Owning school/department	School of Social Sciences and Humanities
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, 15 Jul 2020 16:01:37 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: 

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.