University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2018/19 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies > Sociology with Study Abroad (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 9SOCI003U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Jon Fox
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Sociology (2019) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
The School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies aims to provide excellence in teaching and learning within a stimulating research environment. We aim to produce high quality graduates with an advanced understanding of social institutions, values and practices and the methodologies needed to analyse social relations and social processes. The programme provides a sound grounding in contemporary theoretical debates, their application to a number of substantive areas, and the philosophical and practical issues involved in undertaking empirical research as well as providing students with an opportunity to undertake a full year's study at one of our partner institutions, providing an opportunity to improve their understanding of comparative sociology and broadening their theoretical framework, as well as enabling students to enhance their language skills.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of knowledge and understanding through lectures, classes and seminars, associated handouts and visual presentations, together with individual supervision in preparation of the student's final year dissertation. A wide range of specialist subjects in the third year to allow students to address areas in-depth. Directed and independent reading, with a strong emphasis on effective use of a wide range of literature and other information sources: academic texts, journals, articles, sociofile, websites, relevant fiction, film and other media. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Range of written essays (short coursework and extended, summatively assessed, essays). Examinations (unseen). Other coursework: written assignments and various tasks as appropriate to each unit of the course (eg: short written piece, reviews, oral presentations, group work, portfolio of assignments) |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through the lecture programme and linked seminars/classes, independent study and coursework. Students are exposed to relevant modes of enquiry and analyses; they are encouraged through class discussion and their individual written work to identify key issues, to summarise and reflect upon key points from their reading, to assess evidence and its relevance. Guidance on the location and use of library and web sources, on referencing, on the preparation of written and oral work is provided through handbooks, bibliographies and study skills tasks. Research skills are further developed through teaching in sociological methods and the planning and conduct of the dissertation. |
Methods of Assessment | |
A variety of written assignments, formative and summative essays and unseen examinations test summary, analytical and evaluation skills, problem-solving, report writing and the presentation of arguments. The dissertation additionally assesses independent enquiry. Seminar and coursework exercises and the dissertation assess the ability to interpret data and investigative skills. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Oral communication is developed by requiring students to engage in class discussions, in seminars or tutorials, and to give short presentations individually or in groups. Effective use of information sources, analytical ability, independent and group work are all developed through seminars, coursework tasks and study skills. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Communication and presentation skills are assessed through written coursework and essays (formative and summative), which it is expected that students will word process. Recall and the organisation of relevant material is tested through traditional unseen written examinations. Independent study is assessed through coursework, assessed essays, preparation for examinations and the dissertation Credit points depend on both written course requirements and participation in seminars involving group discussion and debate. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
Students are expected to acquire the foundations on which to develop appropriate expertise in line with the aims and objectives of the course. They will acquire familiarity with the main themes and key concepts of classical and contemporary sociology, and hence the character of the discipline. They will develop an understanding of debates on issues of central importance to sociology and of current social relevance, and be introduced to theories of society, social institutions, social identity and culture. The expectation is that their work may require substantial direction from tutors at this stage with guidance on the development of study skills. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
In Year 2 students are expected to expand the range and depth of their knowledge in core areas of the discipline and their capacity to evaluate material using a variety of critical perspectives. They acquire an overview of key fields of study and appropriate methodologies, a strong conceptual basis for later theory and substantive units. Students will extend their analytical skills, their ability to structure their work and present it fluently. They will be encouraged in group work skills through active participation in seminars. They are expected to be developing a capacity for self-directed learning (for example, through the researching and writing of essays and coursework assignments). |
Level H/6 - Honours |
At level 6 students are expected to broaden and deepen their knowledge through their study of specialised optional subjects, the units being more closely linked to staff research interests developing the conceptual and methodological approaches used in more complexity. Students will be expected to develop further their ability to gather and assimilate information from diverse sources, to synthesise these in an appropriate way and to engage in sophisticated critical evaluation of sociological texts. Students will be encouraged to make their own critical judgements, to develop greater independence and self-directed study, in particular through the dissertation, and to further extend individual and group work skills. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
Success at undergraduate level in the Social Sciences and Law depends on your being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. The programmes offered in the Faculty are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with larger lecture-based units providing the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving through to smaller seminar-based specialist units and finishing with an individual dissertation or research project. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning. But at the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing, whether in the library or at home. It is this skill of independent study above all others that you will take with you when you leave.
This model of academic development is particularly obvious in the more discursive subjects such as law, politics, social policy and sociology. The typical timetabled contact time for a discursive 20 credit point unit in the Faculty is about 30 hours. You will find that you need to allow for about 10 hours preparation on your own if you are to get the most from one of these teaching sessions. In addition there will often be class presentations or essays to write. Typically, the final year will include an independent research unit which by definition has a much smaller amount of more individualised support. Towards the end of any teaching block you may have additional revision or updating classes, and many programmes have occasional ad-hoc lectures of general interest and relevance. If you get stuck, there is always the chance to speak to your lecturer after a class or during their hours of general availability, or you could see your personal tutor. The Faculty also includes programmes which require increasing levels of mathematical sophistication, typically in Economics, Finance and Management. In this latter case, much larger numbers of lectures - up to 18 hours a week depending on option choices - and fewer small group classes are normal, as in the sciences.
As a result, and depending on your particular programme and option choices, your timetable is likely to be a lot less structured than that of fellow students who are linguists, scientists, engineers or medics. But the time that others spend in laboratories you should be spending in private study. In a sense, the library is your laboratory, and you will want to make best use of the excellent range of resources available to you here. A good University education does not tell you 'what you need to know'. Rather, we assume that, like your lecturers and professors, you are intellectually curious about your subject. We invite you to join us and we are there to help you satisfy your curiosity as best we can.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
https://www.bris.ac.uk/fssl/current-students/fssl-undergraduates/assessmentandfeedbackstatement.pdf
The Department welcomes mature students, who come with a variety of qualifications. The Department also welcomes a growing number of exchange students from Europe and the USA who add a stimulating international dimension to undergraduate work. Preview Day offers potential applicants an opportunity to visit.
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/Sociology/
Email: socug-enquiries@bristol.ac.uk
Admissions Tutor: Dr Kieran Flanagan
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Thinking Sociologically | SOCI10004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Doing Social Research | SOCI10005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Key Social Thinkers | SOCI10006 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Social Identities and Divisions | SOCI10007 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Students must choose 40 credit points from the following units: | ||||
Sociology in a Global Context | SOCI10008 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Introduction to the Sociology of Culture | SOCI10009 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Choose open units | OPEN | 40 | Optional | |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Investigating the Social | SOCI20064 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Conceptualising the Social | SOCI20016 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Students must choose 80 credit points from the following units: | ||||
Ethnicity and Racism | SOCI20017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Sociology of Health and Illness | SOCI20035 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Sociology of Gender | SOCI20042 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Environment and Society | SOCI20049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
East Asian Societies: Alternative Modernities | SOCI20076 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Principles of Quantitative Social Science | SOCI20069 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
A Sociology of Crime and Justice | SOCI20073 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Art and Society | SOCI20087 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Conducting a Research Project using Secondary Data | POLI20001 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
What is a Society? | SOCI20075 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Study Abroad (Year) | SPAI20029 | 120 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Dissertation | SOCI30050 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Students must choose 80 credit points from the following list: | ||||
The Sociology of Popular Music | SOCI30048 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Perspectives on Power | SOCI30062 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Public Opinion and Democracy | SOCI30072 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Religion and Politics in the West | SOCI30074 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Feminist Sociology of Food | SOCI30104 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Nations and Nationalism | SOCI30082 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Gender and Migration | SOCI30091 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Modern Slavery: Issues and Debates | SOCI30097 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Risk, Danger and Disaster | SOCI30098 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Social Networks | SOCI30100 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Sociology with Study Abroad (BSc) | 120 |
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Some Sociology optional units are approved at, and available at, both level I/5 and level H/6. The title of each unit is the same. Optional units are usually a run in alternate years so that each student will have the opportunity to choose to study that title at one or other level. In the event that a title is run in two successive years, a student may not select it in both years. So, for example, a student who has taken SOCI20071 `Inside Science’ may not select SOCI30096 `Inside Science’ even if it is available in their final year.
Please note: 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 he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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