Programme Specification

FP3102 - Introduction to the Social Sciences

1. Module Code

FP3102

2. Module Title

Introduction to the Social Sciences

3. Module Level

4. Module Credit

20 CC 10 ECTS

5. Delivery Site(s)

Centre for Foundation Studies

6. Available to / Restrictions

N/A

7. Expected Student Learning Activity

Tutor contact: 60 hours

Self directed study: 140 hours

Lectures, seminars and workshops

Scheduled hours	Placement Hours	Independent Guided study
60	0	140

8. Attendance Guidance

Students are expected to attend all timetabled classes.

9. Module Content

Social scientific perspectives and ‘lenses’ on society
Social structures, social groups and identity formation
Current issues in society
Consumerism in contemporary society
Power and inequalities in society
Social justice and movements for social change
Social scientific research and basic research methods
Research studies of social phenomenon

10. Aims

1. To examine contemporary society from some key perspectives of social science.

2. To introduce students to research in the social sciences.

3. To introduce students to contemporary themes and issues in the social sciences.

11. Methods of Learning and Teaching and Formative Assessment

Lectures accompanied by seminars, group work, debate and discussion. Formative assessment will be ongoing and will comprise activities that enable a student to appraise their own learning and guide them towards the development of self-study.

12. Learning Outcomes

LO1 Apply social scientific ideas and perspectives to the study of contemporary society.

LO2 Demonstrate an understanding of a current issue in the social sciences.

LO3 Recognise inequalities in society and viewpoints on power and social change.

LO4 Identify social scientific research and basic research methods.

13. Assessment and Reassessment Components and Weighting

13a. Assessment

	Component	Weighting %	Learning outcome(s) assessed	Assessment category
1	Essay 1200 words	50%	1 and 2	Coursework
2	Report 1200 hours	50%	3 and 4	Coursework

13b. Reassessment

Reassessment will use the same mode of assessment.

14. Key References

Cottrell, S. (2013). The Study Skills Handbook (4th ed.) Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

Crossley, N. (2005). Key Concepts in Critical Social Theory. London, UK: Sage.

Denscombe, M. (2014). The Good Research Guide: For Small-Scale Social Research Projects. Milton Keynes, UK: Open University Press.

Giddens, A. & Sutton, P. W. (2013). Sociology (7^th ed.) Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.

Guthrie, G. (2010). Basic Research Methods: An Entry to Social Science Research. London, UK: Sage.

Haralambos, M. and Holborn, M. (2013). Sociology: Themes and Perspective. (8^th ed.) Glasgow, UK: Collins Educational.

Haskings-Winner, J., Collishaw, R., Kritzer, S. and Worecki, P. (2011). Social Science: An Introduction. Whitby, ON: McGraw-Hill Education.

15. Module Leader

Ged Turner

16. Module Assessment Board

Centre for Foundation Studies

17. Approved by

Chair's Action on behalf of LTI BoS

18. Date of Approval

Mon, 19 Sep 2016

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