University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2015/16 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School for Policy Studies > Social Policy with Quantitative Research Methods (MSci) > Specification
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Programme code | 9SPOL044U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
David Sweeting
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Social Policy (2019) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
The central core of the Social Policy degree is the critical study of welfare systems: the sets of arrangements designed to promote individual and collective well-being throughout the life course. In studying Social Policy a variety of social science perspectives is used. These include: sociology, economics, politics, philosophy and history. But Social Policy differs from these disciplines in its unique focus upon the development and implementation of policy measures designed to influence the social circumstances of individuals and collectivities.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of core knowledge and understanding is through lectures, seminars, classes and workshops together with regular course work in the form of essays, presentations and projects involving analysis of data. Advanced knowledge is acquired through individual supervision and one-to-one tutorials as part of the preparation of the student's dissertation. Throughout the learner is encouraged to undertake independent study both to supplement and consolidate what is being taught and to broaden and deepen their individual knowledge and understanding of the subject. This independent study will include the reading of academic texts and journals, public documents and internet material. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Throughout the programme there is a combination of formative and summative assessment. Formative assessment is given through marking unit course work essays, feedback on student presentations and on a variety of work done in classes. During preparation of the dissertation regular meetings between student and supervising tutor include feedback on the student's work in progress. Summative assessment is through a combination of unseen written examinations (1-9) assessed extended essays (1-8) and a critical analysis of a piece of published research (9,10). In addition students following the single honours programme are required to produce a 10,000 dissertation based on an original investigation (9,10 and a selection of 1-8, depending on the research question addressed). |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are being developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above (and in Section 11) – and in particular learners are exposed to this form of analysis in the lecture programme. Acquisition of 1 & 2 are further developed by discussion of key issues, summarising key points from reading and unit course work unit essays. Acquisition of 3 & 4 is developed by the above plus training in research methods and data analysis (mandatory unit), one-to-one discussion with academic supervisor of student dissertation and dissertation empirical work. Acquisition of 4 is developed by one-to-one discussion with academic advisor of a student developed research plan and empirical work. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Formative assessment of intellectual skills is through unit course work unit essays, feedback on student presentations and on a variety of class work. Summative assessment of intellectual skills is through unseen written examination or assessed extended essay. Skills relating to the planning, performance and reporting on a programme of original research are assessed by the dissertation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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All learners receive initial guidance on how to identify, locate and use material available in libraries and elsewhere. Comprehensive bibliographies are provided for each course unit at the outset, as are guidelines for production of coursework essays and extended essays. Workshops are given in the use of on-line databases for literature searching. the final year dissertation is supported by a series of workshops which enhance and extend these skills. All units require regular written work and feedback is concerned with enhancing the learners' powers of expression (2&3). Skill 5 is acquired through experience of learning to manage time and meet deadlines which are all given at the outset of each unit (for eg. Handing in essays and completing the dissertation to time). Skills 3& 4 are developed in seminars, classes and workshops, which rely on facilitated discussion and interaction as well as individual or group presentations. Skill 12 is largely developed through elements of taught units and individual learning to consolidate these skills. Skill 7 is achieved through self-reflection on course work unit essays, in comparison with tutor's feedback on essay, and discussion with personal tutor. It is also developed in some units by self and peer appraisal of class presentation. Workshops provide support for students' own personal and professional development. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Formative assessment of skills 1-3,6&7 is through course work unit essays, feedback on student presentations (in particular the presentation of the student's own dissertation work at dissertation conferences). Summative assessment of skills 1 to 3 is through unseen written examination or assessed extended essays through submission of the dissertation. ill 6 is assessed by the ability to meet the deadlines set for assessment. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
At the end of this level, learners are expected to be able to demonstrate knowledge of the historical and contemporary issues in the production and supply of welfare, primarily in the UK. They should be able to show awareness in general terms of the major theoretical perspectives in social policy and show a basic level of competence in appropriate skills. The expectation is that their work may require substantial direction from members of staff. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At the end of this level, learners are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge and understanding of welfare systems in comparative and theoretical directions, including their understanding of the policy process. They should be aware of the range of research approaches relevant to the study of social policy. Through their choice of optional units they should be developing their skills and knowledge in relation to particular fields of policy. They are expected to be developing a capacity for self-directed learning. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
Learners should continue to develop the depth of their knowledge and understanding through their study of both mandatory and optional subjects. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to apply the skills learnt in the research methods unit and to enhance their capacity for self directed study, especially through the completion of a dissertation. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
At level M students will be carrying out work at or informed by the forefront of an academic or professional discipline with a strong focus on quantitative research methods. Students will have shown originality in the application of knowledge, and they will understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research. They will be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and they will show originality in tackling and solving problems. They will have the qualities needed for employment in circumstances requiring sound judgement, personal responsibility and initiative, in complex and unpredictable professional environments. |
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
This course is ideal for those interested in learning more about how to use numbers and data within the social sciences, and in acquiring practical and analytical skills that are attractive to employers. It has been developed in partnership with the Nuffield Foundation, ESRC and HEFCE as part of the new Bristol Q-Step Centre: one of fifteen centres in the UK tasked with leading a step-change in the quality of quantitative methods teaching provided to undergraduate social scientists.
Two thirds of your studies will follow the Single Honours Social Policy course, acquiring core knowledge in your subject. The remaining third provides applied inter-disciplinary training in quantitative methods. In year one, we discuss how numbers and data are used (and abused) to tell ‘convincing stories’ in the media and social research. We consider what is meant by segregation, and how it can be mapped and measured. Year two offers practical classes in social statistics and applied data analysis, developing your skills in numeracy and analysis to advance your study of social policy, and enabling you to undertake your own individual research project in an area of quantitative social science in year three.
There is also a four-year undergraduate degree option, offering more advanced quantitative methods for those wishing to graduate with a Master's (MSci) qualification.
www.bris.ac.uk/qstep www.nuffieldfoundation.org/q-step-centres
This Integrated Master's programme has been designated as type II: Advanced Study in accordance with the QAA descriptors for Master's programmes. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Social Policy and the Welfare State: Historical Perspectives | SPOL10011 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Social Policy and the Welfare State: Theoretical Perspectives | SPOL10012 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Social Policy and the Welfare State: Key Concepts and Contemporary Issues | SPOL10018 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Comparative and International Social Policy | SPOL10014 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Convincing stories? Numbers as evidence in the social sciences | UNIV10002 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Segregation and inequality in the UK (measurement and debate) | SPOL10017 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
This Integrated Master's programme has been designated as type II: Advanced Study in accordance with the QAA descriptors for Master's programmes. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Understanding Public Policy | SPOL20026 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Principles of Quantitative Social Science | SOCI20069 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Conducting a Research Project using Secondary Data | POLI20001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Select three units from the following list: | ||||
Migration Policy in the UK and European Union | SPOL20030 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Social Policy and the European Union | SPOL20051 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Urban Governance and Democracy | SPOL20028 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Personal Welfare Services | SPOL20053 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Drugs and Society | SPOL21011 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Punishment in Society | SPOL20052 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Poverty, Social Exclusion and Social Policy | SPOL20019 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Youth, Sexualities and Gendered Violence | SPOL22023 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Introduction to Disability Studies | SPOL20018 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Youth Policy and Social Welfare | SPOL22022 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Gender Based Violence | SPOL20021 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
This Integrated Master's programme has been designated as type II: Advanced Study in accordance with the QAA descriptors for Master's programmes. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Dissertation (with Quantitative Research Methods) (Social Policy) | SPOL30032 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Select four units from the following list: | ||||
Comparative Social Policy in a Globalizing World | SPOL30048 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Social Policy in East Asia | SPOL30049 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Social Policy and Development | SPOL30050 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Health Policy in a Global Context | SPOL30055 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Drugs and Society | SPOL30011 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Housing, Economy and Society | SPOL30020 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Punishment in Society | SPOL30052 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Societal Change and the Transformation of Work | SPOL32025 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Changing Families and the State | SPOL31008 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Youth Justice | SPOL32006 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Children in a Global Context | SPOL32008 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Cities and communities in the urban age | SPOL30062 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
BSc Social Policy with Quantitative Research Methods | 120 |
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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