Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC2050: Knowing the Social World

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The module draws theory and empirical work together in ways that help us to understand the social world. In this module we will explore a variety of approaches to social research and gain hands-on experience with some of the techniques these sources have employed. The aim is to equip you with key life skills that are applicable in the workplace and in daily life – for example, evaluating the veracity of accounts and claims, judging situations, and learning about people and their ways.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. demonstrate knowledge of various methodological approaches to sociological research;
2. demonstrate an understanding of the advantages and limitations of those approaches;
3. evaluate critically empirical social research;
4. use and evaluate critically techniques of sociological research;
Discipline-Specific Skills5. use methodological knowledge and awareness of techniques to assess critically empirical claims in different areas of sociology;
6. demonstrate an understanding of the interrelations between empirical research and sociological theory;
Personal and Key Skills7. assess critically research-based claims in public discourse;
8. communicate effectively in written and verbal form.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Questions asked in class by instructor10 minutes per session1-8Verbal

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Critical Discussion of the theoretical and practical issues involved 502,000 words1-8Written
Practical application of data collection/analysis 502,000 words 1-8Written

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Critical Discussion of the theoretical and practical issues involved Critical Discussion of the theoretical and practical issues involved 1-8August/September reassessment period
Practical application of data collection/analysis Practical application of data collection/analysis 1-8August/September reassessment period