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Introduction to Social Sciences

Module description

Introduction to Social Sciences is a two-semester module which introduces a range of key concepts relevant to all students, particularly those wishing to study law, the humanities and social sciences. It introduces issues and theories around criminality, culture, identity, education, development and the interaction between human society and the environment. Using elements of sociology, international relations and environmental studies this module investigates questions such as: What is crime? What is the role of education? What is culture? What are today’s environmental issues? What patterns can be seen in geo-politics?

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module introduces an inter-disciplinary exploration of key concepts of sociology (including criminology) and the forces influencing geo-politics and environmental issues. It enables students to understand key terms, theories, ideas and concepts related to the relevant discipline. By achieving the aforementioned it provides students with a knowledge foundation for a wide variety of undergraduate degree programmes.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key issues and theories around family, culture, socialisation and education.
• 2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key issues and theories around inequality, stratification, and crime.
• 3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key issues and theories around globalization and global development and the interaction between human society and the natural environment (including green crime).

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. To a standard appropriate to this level apply sociological theories, concepts and evidence.
• 5. To a standard appropriate to this level analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods to present arguments, judgements and draw conclusions.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. With tutor support take responsibility for your learning.
• 7. Communicate effectively using scholarly conventions appropriate to this discipline.

Syllabus plan

Weekly classes may include a range of learning opportunities including lectures, online preparation and seminars to explore concepts relating to sociology, world politics, and environmental studies. This module offers a range of study methods (lectures, individual, class, small group and self-study). By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate the intellectual, transferable and practical skills appropriate to this level of study, including understanding key terms and concepts, extracting, analysing, and responding to information, practicing the skills of critical thinking and independent learning.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for reasons judged legitimate by the Mitigation Committee, the applicable assessment will normally be deferred. See ‘Details of reassessment’ for the form that assessment usually takes. When deferral occurs there is ordinarily no change to the overall weighting of that assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to take a re-sit exam. Only your performance in this exam will count towards your final module grade. A grade of 40% will be awarded if the examination is passed. Referral exams assess all ILOs (i.e. skills, knowledge and understanding) from across the module.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Online: Introduction to Sociology 3E (OpenStax).

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• Available on ELE

Key words search

Sociology; criminology; geo-politics, environmental studies