University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies > Sociology and Philosophy (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 9SOCI005U |
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Programme type | Joint Honours (UG) |
Programme director(s) |
Maud Perrier
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Second School/department | Department of Philosophy |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups |
Sociology (2019) (benchmark statement)
Philosophy (2019) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 3 years (full time) |
Only the Sociology half of the programme specification appears here. The Philosophy information will appear shortly.
Sociology:
The Sociology joint honours degree programmes enable students to develop their sociological understanding within a broader social science framework while maintaining the depth of learning associated with single honours subjects.In particular, the programmes offer students the opportunity to: 1) Develop and demonstrate an in-depth, sympathetic and critical understanding of the relationship between sociology and other social science disciplines. 2) Think about how disciplinary epistemologies and methodologies may be utilised to develop inter-disciplinary approaches to the study of contemporary social issues. 3) Develop and demonstrate competence in a range of skills, including the evaluation of arguments and points of view, presentation skills, independent and group working and research skills.
The Department of Sociology 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. The joint programmes allow students to explore the theoretical and practical relationships between sociology and a variety of other subject areas.
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 special 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) in all three years. 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 ) (12) is assessed through assessment mechanisms in the appropriate department other than Sociology. |
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. Units in appropriate department other than sociology provide the opportunity to acquire the skills and attributes mentioned in (11). |
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. Seminar and coursework exercises assess the ability to interpret data and investigative skills. (11) is assessed through assessment mechanisms in the appropriate department other than Sociology. |
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. (10) is delivered through the teaching and learning strategies of the appropriate department other than sociology. |
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, and preparation for examinations. Credit points depend on both written course requirements and participation in seminars involving group discussion and debate. (10) is assessed through assessment mechanisms in the appropriate department other than Sociology. |
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, 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.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of knowledge and understanding through lectures, seminars and tutorials (1,2,3,4,5). Directed reading with a strong emphasis on primary materials (1,3,4,5). Regular problem classes (2). Tutorials and seminars to encourage student participation and advance understanding of difficult materials (1,3,4,5). Formative feedback on assessment is given through individual tutorials (for most units) and written comments. (1,2,3,4,5). |
Methods of Assessment | |
Coursework essays, testing understanding of a single topic in detail (1,3,4,5). Exams, testing breadth of knowledge of different subjects (1,2,4,5). Class tests and exercises in logic (2). An extended essay, testing the ability of students to research a subject of their own choice in detail (3,4,5). Coursework essays, logic exercises, and level C exams are formative; Level I and H exams and Extended essays are summative. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Lectures provide knowledge, enhance understanding, and serve to exemplify the characteristic virtues of analytic philosophy. Seminars and group tutorials aid understanding, and provide forums in which students can discuss philosophical issues with each other and with tutors. Problem classes in logic help students develop their analytical and argumentative skills. Coursework essays give students the opportunity to read widely and reflect carefully on the material covered in lectures and seminars. The extended essay gives level H students the opportunity for more intensive and independent research into chosen topics in Philosophy. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Essay writing tests the students' ability to read widely, analyse information and present reasoned arguments (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,13). Examinations test the students' ability to assimilate information, assess and present arguments, and criticise difficult material in a concise and lucid manner (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13). Essay tutorials assist the students' ability to respond appropriately to criticism, to articulate and modify positions and arguments, and to develop a number of intellectual virtues (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13). The presentation and group discussion of seminar papers develop the students' skills in communication and virtues in intellectual debate (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13). Problem classes test the students' ability in logic (3,5,6,7). The extended Essay tests the students' ability to pursue an independent line of research, and to present the fruits of that research in a professional manner (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,13). |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Seminars and tutorials are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in class discussions and to give short presentations to initiate discussion, including defending their interpretations and arguments in debate with other students and staff (1,2, 4, 5, 8, 10) Research and written communication skills are developed through feedback on essays (2,3, 6, 8, 10). Students are given guidance in the use of electronic resources, and are informed of opportunities for C&IT training (6,7). Writing essays (especially Extended essays) for set deadlines encourages self-motivation and self-reliance, as well as independence of thought (1,6, 8, 10). |
Methods of Assessment | |
Examinations test the ability of the students to provide crisp and lucid presentations of difficult ideas and arguments. (3.9.10) Essays (especially Extended essays) test the ability of students to research their materials and to present ideas and arguments in a lucid and professional manner (1,2,3,6,7,8,10). |
Embedded within the curriculum |
To follow |
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Co-curricular opportunities |
To follow |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
Year 1 of the programme has been designed to lay the foundations, both in terms of subject-specific knowledge and skills and in terms of more general abilities, which will allow students to fulfil the programme's aims and objectives. By the end of the year, students should have a basic knowledge of some central areas of the subject (metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and political philosophy) and some crucial philosophical skills, including competence in formal logic and familiarity with the aims and methods of analytic philosophy. They should also be developing their skills in essay-writing and in discussing philosophical issues in tutorials. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
Students further develop their skills and knowledge by choosing from a menu of options. These options are more demanding than level C units both in terms of the difficulty of the materials studied and of the amount of independent critical thinking required of the students. By the end of the year they should be capable of reading difficult and technical material (eg modern journal articles), grasping their arguments, and debating them in seminars with their peers. The two mandatory units, 'Realism' and 'Normativity', provide all level I students with basic knowledge and skills for more advanced level H units. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
Students further develop their skills and knowledge by choosing from a range of advanced options, taught by specialists in the areas of their own research. By the end of the year they should be capable of thinking critically and working independently. Students' capacity for intensive and independent research is further tested by the system of Extended essays. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
For the MSci Mathematics and Philosophy programme - all students take the 'History and Philosophy of Mathematics' unit from the PHS M.A. programme. Two finals essays (or a 20-credit project) further test their capacity for independent study. |
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.
UG Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive. At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20 credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Professional Programmes
Many undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following the professional programmes of:
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty Assessment and Feedback Statement for Undergraduate Students. University of Bristol access only.
Additional costs
In addition to the fees for the programme, a student may encounter the following costs:
Depending on optional unit choice in the 2nd and final year of study, a student may have the opportunity to take part in an optional field trip
Sociology:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/Sociology/Email: socug-enquiries@bristol.ac.ukAdmissions Tutor: Dr Kieran Flanagan
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Introduction to Philosophy A | PHIL10005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Introduction to Philosophy B | PHIL10006 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Logic and Critical Thinking | PHIL10032 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Thinking Sociologically | SOCI10004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Students must choose 40 credits from the following units: | ||||
Doing Social Research | SOCI10005 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Key Social Thinkers | SOCI10006 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Social Identities and Divisions | SOCI10007 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Realism and Normativity | PHIL20046 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
40 credit points from: | ||||
Philosophy of Mind | PHIL20010 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Ethics | PHIL20011 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Political Philosophy | PHIL20012 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Philosophy of Language | PHIL20017 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Philosophy of Mathematics | PHIL20039 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Ancient Philosophy | PHIL20040 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Death, dying and disease | PHIL20049 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Texts in Modern European Philosophy 1 | PHIL20050 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Themes in Modern European Philosophy 1 | PHIL20051 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Space, Time and Matter | PHIL20053 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Students must choose 20 credit points from the following units: | ||||
Conceptualising the Social | SOCI20016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Investigating Society (Sociology) | SOCI20079 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Students must select 40 credit points from the following units: | ||||
Conceptualising the Social | SOCI20016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Ethnicity and Racism | SOCI20017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Sociology of Health and Illness | SOCI20035 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The Sociology of Gender | SOCI20042 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Class and Social Divisions | SOCI20045 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Environment and Society | SOCI20049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
East Asian Societies: Alternative Modernities | SOCI20076 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Investigating Society (Sociology) | SOCI20079 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Principles of Quantitative Social Science | SOCI20069 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
What is a Society? | SOCI20075 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Art and Society | SOCI20087 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Conducting a Research Project using Secondary Data | POLI20001 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Digital Society | SOCI20077 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Sociology of Childhood and Rights | SOCI20078 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Students also have the option of taking a Teaching Block abroad as long as they meet all grade and other requirements set by SPAIS study abroad programme | ||||
Study Abroad (Term) | SPAI20030 | 60 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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60 credit points should be chosen from the following list, with no more than 40 credits from (a), (b) or (c) | ||||
20 credit points may be chosen from: | ||||
First Extended Essay | PHIL30107 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Second Extended Essay | PHIL30108 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
(a) Philosophy of Science, Mathematics and Logic. Choose no more than 40 credits from: | ||||
Philosophy of Science | PHIL30049 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Philosophical Issues of Physical Sciences | PHIL30052 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Philosophy of Biology | PHIL30063 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Philosophy and History of Medicine | PHIL30082 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Philosophy of Mathematics | PHIL30090 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
(b) Epistemology, Metaphysics, Mind, Language, History of Philosophy. Choose no more than 40 credits from: | ||||
Philosophy of Psychology | PHIL30077 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
(c) Value Theory (Ethics, Political Philosophy, Aesthetics). Choose no more than 40 credits from: | ||||
Death, dying and disease | PHIL30115 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The Ethics of Migration and Citizenship | PHIL30118 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Evil, Deviance, and Crime | PHIL30127 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Texts in Modern European Philosophy 2 | PHIL30116 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Themes in Modern European Philosophy 2 | PHIL30117 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Students must choose 60 credit points from the following units. Please note that students cannot take more than 40 credits of independent study (dissertation units or extended essays). To take the Sociology Dissertation you must have taken either SOAD20004 Social Research Methods or SOCI20079 Investigating the Social in your second year: | ||||
Dissertation | SOCI30050 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 |
The Sociology of Popular Music | SOCI30048 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Perspectives on Power | SOCI30062 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Cultural Representation | SOCI30063 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Public Opinion and Democracy | SOCI30072 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Religion and Politics | SOCI30107 | 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 |
Risk, Danger and Disaster | SOCI30098 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Consumption and Sustainability | SOCI30106 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Queering Sexuality and Gender | SOCI30105 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Politics of Rebellion | POLI30038 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Sociology and Philosophy (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.
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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