UDSCLOFY - BSc (Hons) Sociology (including foundation year)

The preparatory year of the four-year extended degree programme helps prepare students with non-traditional qualifications, lower UCAS points and mature students wanting to return to education, for level 4 study at undergraduate level. It teaches students the academic study skills, digital skills, research techniques and critical thinking that they will need for undergraduate study as well as introducing them to basic ideas, approaches and themes in social sciences and their pathway choice. The foundation year also aims to develop their independent learning, supporting them to become confident and proactive students, able to operate effectively at undergraduate level within a large university.
From level 4 the course is delivered through a range of pedagogic methods including formal lectures, seminars, workshops, project-based research activity and individual tutorials.

Sociology as a discipline, lends itself to a variety of teaching and learning styles and these are, in turn, reflected in the delivery and assessment methods used through the course. Traditional lectures, seminars and presentations are supplemented by group work and case-study approaches. Seminar work involves a large element of student choice and self-management. Active learning involves students in making decisions about what they explore (within the parameters of the module) and how they do it. Teaching methods are tailored to key aspects of the learning situation such as content, task and learner characteristics. There is an emphasis upon the link between teaching and research so that staff research provides the basis for teaching on a range of modules. The course integrates face-to-face with online learning at all levels. All modules also use Weblearn to provide key information and learning other media are used to encourage collaboration among students. resources, assessment guidance and submission platforms, discussions, and feedback. The course also has a range of employment focussed or work-related learning activities built into the course.

The preparatory year aims to support and prepare students to become "undergraduate ready". This will be done by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and understanding in social sciences and their pathway choice, the key digital and academic skills in order to communicate their ideas effectively (orally and in writing), using an appropriate academic style, that will allow them to progress onto level 4. It also aims to develop their understanding of different assessments and learning and teaching styles in HE and to build their confidence by experiencing and understanding theories and knowledge through personalisation and reflective learning techniques.

From level 4, the course aims to:

• develop the social experience, interests and understanding of students coming from a diversity of educational, ethnic and social backgrounds.
• fulfil the role of providing for those who choose to study the discipline for their own intellectual and personal development.
• provide an appropriate education and training for students wishing to pursue careers in social and public policy-related fields in the private, public and voluntary sectors.
• equip and prepare students with practical and transferable skills for research in the ‘real world’ by providing modules which address multi-disciplinary concerns and are directly relevant to a variety of public issues.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Sociology;

2. devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of Sociology;

3. describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in Sociology, recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge;

4. manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to Sociology;

5. apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects;

6. critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem;

7. communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;

8. exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts;

9. undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature

Module Code Module Title

IF3050 Critical Thinking
IF3060 Researching Discrimination
IF3061 Researching Inequality
IF3058 Reflecting on Self and Society
IF3059 Social Issues in Context:Text to Essay
IF3073 Interventions for Change
IF3063 Media Crime and Race
IF3051 Studying London

Learning Outcomes: LO1 - LO4

Module Code

SC4001
SC4002
SC5002
SC5003
SC6P06
SC6P01
SC6000
SC6002
SC6052
SC5008
LL4004
SC4000

Learning Outcomes LO1 -LO9

Sociology

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Sociology-16.pdf

Sociology lends itself to a variety of teaching and learning styles and these are, in turn, reflected in the variety of assessment tools employed throughout the course. Within the general principle of mixed mode assessment can be found a diversity of instruments: seen and unseen examinations, short answer papers, practical reports and reviews, case studies, group assessment projects, seminar presentations and essays. Transferable skills have been embedded in the learning outcomes of the core modules. They have been mapped to ensure that they are assessed at every level.

SS6W53 The Sociology and Social Policy Work Placement - is a designate module available to students entering their 3rd year.

See para 22.

Throughout the programme students will be required to reflect on their learning, identify areas of strength and weakness and develop action plans in response to these reflections. This will occur informally through tutor and peer feedback and also formally through reflective writing as part of the assessments and the written and oral response from tutors to this. We expect that through this experience of reflective learning, students will start to understand the value of being proactive, independent learners, ready for their first year of undergraduate study.

The Sociology course progresses from general introductory level to the development of more specialist concerns/areas, building upon the knowledge, practical skills and experience gained at each stage. Progression is reflected in different learning outcomes (LOs) at each level. For example, students are helped to move from basic skills of description and information gathering at Level 4, through to interpretation and data manipulation at Level 5, and finally at Level 6 being able to critically appraise and synthesise evidence.

Level 4 modules provide students with a broad appreciation of the discipline, issues and debates relating to the social structure, and an introduction to some of the basic academic and transferable skills involved in studying sociology at degree level. Students therefore begin the processes of personal development planning in theses core modules and start to build up a record of achievements at this level.

At Level 5 students build on the Level 4 core modules and develop their problem-solving, critical thinking and conceptual skills. In particular, Interactive Research Methods is a module designed to facilitate a thorough grounding in research techniques and related methodological issues. Level 5 modules also provide an opportunity for students reflect upon their practice as social researchers, its ethical dimensions and the ways in which this practice may be applied to solving problems in the context of volunteering activity and/or employment.

At Level 6 the core modules enable students to reflect on the sociological traditions that have informed their study. They also require students to reflect on the current condition of the discipline in terms of the application of sociological research to issues of current public concern. Their individual dissertation at Level 6 provides an opportunity for students to consolidate this reflection, bringing together particular substantive areas of interest with methodological issues and considering how this might provide a basis for their further self and career development and contribution to the wider social world in the future.

All students are counselled on their choice of their module options and are encouraged to develop academically coherent and personally relevant programmes.

N/A

Successful completion of this course offers improved career opportunities in a range of public and private sector organisations, including jobs in: social research; NGOs and charity organisations; teaching; social work; social policy, and other public and private services. The programme is also excellent preparation for further research or study.

Successful completion of this four-year course will open up career opportunities in social research and public services, as well as roles in the private sector. Graduates of our sociology courses have secured roles in human resources, prison services, medical research and events management.

Our degree will also offer you a strong foundation for future postgraduate study in sociology and social work.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• at least one A level (or a minimum of 40 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma)
• GCSE English Language at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent)

If you are a mature student with significant work experience, you are invited to apply for this course on the basis of the knowledge and skills you have developed through your work.

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Tier 4 student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.