module specification

This module provides an introduction to the social sciences, humanities through examining key themes, approaches and concepts across the subject areas. These may include: the mass media, crime and deviancy, race and ethnicity; globalisation and the environment. How these affect students’ daily life and the interaction between these will be explored through the module. We will also examine them historically and cross-culturally, and as represented in literature and other media. Following this cross-disciplinary approach, in this semester students will start to focus on these themes as they apply to the subject area that interests them most. The content throughout this module will partly be dependent on the subject interests of the cohort.

This module aims to:  

1. make students aware of some of the key concepts in humanities, education and social science and enable them to understand the issues involved and use appropriate discipline-specific vocabulary and terminology to articulate their responses to selected material studied.
2. encourage students to evaluate the extent to which knowledge of context enhances their understanding.
3. enable students to produce structured arguments in written and oral forms that are appropriate to their future pathway.
4. provide students with the requisite information about different areas of study and opportunity to enable them to assess their own interests and make informed choices to progress to pathways at LondonMet

This module introduces students to the key disciplines in the social sciences and humanities such as cultural studies, politics, economics, sociology, social policy, history, and philosophy.

Choice of specific topics will be influenced by the participants’ interests, but some indicative topics of study are as follows:

- The mass Media
- Crime and Deviancy
- Race and Ethnicity
- Globalisation
- Environment
 

Skills:

- Generating and developing ideas through discussion, reading, viewing and critical reflection
- Using an appropriate critical vocabulary to express these ideas
- Structuring written work in an appropriate style, depending on the purpose
- Developing the habit of keeping a reflective record of reading and observation (outside of class)
- Using the library and electronic resources to research topics and to develop independent learning

The module will start with an examination of themes through different texts, audio visual and digital material, establishing an awareness of the different subject areas within Humanities, Education and Social Sciences and developing the skills required.  In the second half there will be more opportunity to develop these skills in the student’s area of interest, continuing with our central themes. There will also be an introduction to degree study and careers in different areas of the Humanities, Education and Social Sciences.  The final assignment will allow each student to choose their own area of interest to explore further.

The module is delivered through short lectures, seminars, tutorials, guided research sessions (in the London Met library and in IT rooms) (60 hours)

Class work will include group projects and individual informal presentations of work. Group discussions, tutorials and informal feedback will give students the opportunity to reflect upon progress and discuss strategies for developing skills and ideas (90 hrs).

Module information including module booklet, timetable, lecture notes, video links, assessment details, visit preparation and additional resources to support study will be on VLE.  Students will also be expected to post comments and have on-line discussions through VLE.

At the end of the module students should be able to:

1. critically respond to material (texts, audio/visual and digital material) using appropriate language and referring to key ideas/concepts in the subject area

2. account for the influence context has on their reading of any given material

3. demonstrate understanding of some of the relevant concepts in the social sciences and humanities

4. demonstrate competency in research, critical reflection and independent working sufficient to commence the academic pathway of their choice

5. make an informed choice of progression opportunities within London Met

Formative assessment will take place throughout the module.
Summative assessment will consist of:

1. Written assessment (70% of final mark)
2. Oral presentation (30% of final mark)

Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 are assessed through the written assessments and the presentation.  Students must receive a pass overall.

Formative assessment will take place throughout the module through short written and oral tasks, both group and individual. Feedback will be given by the tutor in group work and in tutorials. Peer assessment will also be used for formative feedback. Following discussion, students will then work with others on the module and with the tutor to revise their work.

Summative assessment for this module will take place through written assessment in week 14  and oral presentation in weeks 12/13.

Introductory material and readings will be posted on VLE.  Students will also be required to read background material and extracts for each class (posted on VLE).  They will be expected to view films, videos and podcasts on VLE in the London Met library.  A general reading list will cover the scope of the course, but students will be expected to follow this up with more specialised reading in their chosen subject area.  The reading list will be adjusted to suit each cohort’s interests.

Giddens, A. (2009) Sociology (Polity Press, Cambridge)
Jones, O. (2014) The Establishment, and how they get away with it. Allen lane, London  
Pilkington, A. Yeo, A. & Haralambos, M. Sociology in Focus  A2 level (2nd edition)
Haralambos, M. Langley, P. Sociology in Focus, AS level.  (2nd edition)
Wilkinson, R and Pickett, K. (2009) The Spirit Level (Penguin, London)