BA (Hons) Sociology and Global Cultural Studies (4-year)

1. Demonstrate an analytical understanding of Sociology, taking into account different sociological perspectives, modes of social analysis and their concomitant theoretical and conceptual frameworks
2. Show awareness of the social, political, historical, and economic origins of Sociology.
3. Show knowledge of a variety of methods of social investigation, including ethnographic and survey methods, questionnaire and interview design
4. Ability to conceptualise social, psychological and personal issues in a specifically sociological manner
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the social organisation, economy and cosmology of a range of societies
6. Show knowledge of some of the main challenges in obtaining and conveying information about a range of societies
7. Demonstrate understanding (at increasing depth, according to level) of issues (increasingly complex, according to level) arising from the subject matter of the elective modules taken.
8. Demonstrate a high level of competence (written and oral, active and passive) in the chosen language.
9. Show wide-ranging knowledge of the history and culture of the relevant country or countries and an understanding of their contribution to western culture as a whole.
10. Show awareness of the linguistic, literary, cultural and socio-historical contexts in which texts, films and so forth are produced and read.
11. Show awareness of how language produces and reflects cultural change and difference.
12. Achieve a level of knowledge and competence commensurate with national Modern Languages benchmarks
13. Four year programme: Show ability to use the target language to undertake and present the results of an extended project, while living and working in the target-language environment

1. This skill is developed on all sociology modules, and is a core aim of the sociology side of the programme, especially on SOC1048 and SOC1049.

2-4. These skills are developed initially through lectures, seminars and essay work for SOC1048, SOC1049, SOC1019, SOC1020, SOC2005 and are developed further on subsequent modules.

5-6 These skills are developed through similar methods on SOC1048, SOC1049, and further developed on subsequent modules. 7. This skill is developed through the optional modules taken. The level of competence expected of students intensifies at each stage of the programme.

8. This skill is developed through the core modules on written and oral language work. This is achieved through a combination of written work (essay-writing, translation and comprehension of texts in a variety of styles and registers) and oral practice (classes in small groups with native speakers). Core language modules at Stage 1 include an introduction to language-learning strategies, with subsequent stages requiring you to make systematic use of the self-access material available in the library, in the Language Centre, and via web-based resources. Language modules at each stage use authentic materials in the chosen language/s, both written (texts in a variety of styles and registers) and spoken (oral classes with native speakers, together with use of TV and the electronic media). These forms of target-language material are used in a variety of ways, including reading or listening comprehension, translation, and production of related material in the chosen language/s through exercises such as summarising, essay-writing and oral presentations. Instruction is reinforced by regular formative assessment. Formal grammar is usually taught, both in seminars and through guided study of a textbook, at a level appropriate to each stage of the programmes and to level of achievement at the outset of the programme.

9-11. These skills are developed through the optional modules taken.

12. All modules contribute to the development of this skill.

13 is developed through the year abroad.

The assessment of these skills is through a combination of term-time essays, ILOs 1-12

oral presentations, ILOs 1-13

and examinations ILOS 1-12

(and, where applicable, Research Methods Project , Dissertation work).

14. Draw thematic comparisons between material from different sources
15. Show awareness of contrasting approaches to research.
16. Understand and demonstrate the different uses of qualitative and quantitative data, and evaluate their relative advantages and disadvantages.
17. Show awareness of the basic philosophical questions arising from academic research.
18. Think and write broadly about large themes
19. Use library and the world-wide web to find appropriate and relevant information
20. Develop and deploy argument, grounded in theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence.
21. Identify problems of reliability and bias in, and more generally evaluate, empirical evidence.
22. Collate data from a range of sources.
23. Produce accurate reference to sources in written work.
24. Answer questions concisely and persuasively in written work
25. Present work and answer questions orally.
26. Deploy complex terminology in a comprehensible manner
27. Assimilate and analyse the structure of a foreign language
28. Analyse texts (including where appropriate non-literary texts and other media, e.g. film) taking account of their cultural, historical and generic contexts, and articulate one's understanding orally and in writing.
29. Show receptiveness to a foreign culture and ability to see the relativity of one's own cultural perspective.
30. Four year programme: Show ability to plan and manage his/her own language learning through an extended period of independent study

ILOs 14-30 are developed throughout the degree programme, but the emphasis becomes more complex as students move from stage to stage. They are developed through lectures and seminars, language classes, written work (including translation work), and oral work (both presentation and class discussion).

ILOs 14-30 are assessed through term-time essays, language tests, assessed presentations, and examinations.

31. Undertake independent study and work to deadlines.
32. Use a word processor and the world-wide web to a high standard.
33. Digest, select and organise material for written work and oral presentations, and write to varying word lengths.
34. Evaluate own work.
35. Sit timed examinations of a challenging nature.
36. Participate in oral discussions; present and evaluate complex arguments and ideas orally; digest, select and organise material for oral presentations.
37. Work with others as part of a team on challenging material.
38. Interact effectively with peers and staff.
39. Undertake group work, including the presentation and discussion of material in groups.
40. Communicate and argue effectively, both orally and in writing.
41. Express and defend opinions on a wide range of current and abstract issues.
42. Advance linguistic competence independently.
43. If taking Sociology Project and/or Dissertation in either subject: Plan the execution of demanding work over a very long time scale.
44. (4-year programme only): Show ability to adapt to the culture and working practices of a foreign country.

31. This skill is an essential part of the successful completion of the programme.

32. This skill is developed through the requirement that all written work be word-processed, and through the requirement on students to use the WWW for bibliographical searches.

33. This skill is developed through essay and presentation work throughout the programme.

34. This skill is encouraged and developed throughout, and is aided by the student Self-Appraisal system which takes place in the inter-semester week of Spring Term.

35. This skill is developed through practice: at all stages, students are partly assessed by timed, unseen examinations.

36. This skill is developed through seminars, which form the whole or part basis of all modules.

Skills 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 are developed to some extent in all modules, through interaction in seminars and in discussion with tutors about essay work, and in response to criticism both collective and individual.

42. This skill is developed through oral and written work on the core language modules.

43. This skill is developed through the through the Dissertation, which has a single end of year deadline.

44 is developed through the year abroad.

Skills in 31, 32 and 33 are assessed in all modules.

Skill 33 is covered by the fact that students write essays, which are formatively and summatively assessed, of differing lengths and in the Dissertation. 

Skill 34 is assessed implicitly throughout, and is aided by the student Self-Appraisal exercise conducted in the inter-semester week in Spring Term.

35. Timed examinations are used in all modules except the dissertation.

Skill 36 is a continuous part of formative assessment.

The skills in 37, 38 and 39 are developed to some extent in all modules, through interaction in seminars and in discussion with tutors about essay work, and in response to criticism both collective and individual.

Skills 40-42 form the basis of assessment in the core language modules, building in complexity as the student progresses through the programme.

Skill 43 is covered by the Dissertation.

Skill 44 is assessed by the year abroad.