Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC2115: Deception

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

Module Aims

Deception aims to enhance your ability to think independently, express your ideas through written and oral arguments, and respond to other people’s views in a seminar environment.  It also exposes you to an issue that is challenging and controversial in many ways, and cross-disciplinary by nature. Deception aims to:

  • Provide you with the opportunity to develop confidence and skills to apply social science theories and concepts to pressing contemporary issues;
  • Foster your ability to assembly, critique, and interpret factual information;
  • Offer a stimulating approach to understanding the intersection of politics, technology, society and culture. 

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. Critically evaluate different sources of information about deception, including their place within disciplinary and public debates.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the types of social science research into deception
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Draw substantiated thematic comparisons between material from different sources;
4. Clearly present research, policy debates and your own arguments;
5. Offer conceptually-based arguments grounded in theoretical frameworks;
Personal and Key Skills6. Present an argument orally in a clear and organized manner;
7. Evaluate own work and those of others;
8. Demonstrate collaborative skills, including the presentation and discussion of material in groups.
9. Work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • Defining Deception
  • The Ethics of Deception
  • The Detection of Deception
  • Deception and Science
  • Deception and Art
  • Deception and War
  • Deception and Entertainment
  • Deception and Fraud 

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
221280

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity22
Guided Independent Study24
Guided Independent Study40
Guided Independent Study10
Guided Independent Study54

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

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
Peer review - Each student will write a short review of another student’s draft summative essay, discussing how well the essay achieves it goals and offering suggestions for improvement.One hour class time interaction as well as essay preparation 1-5, 7, 9Written

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
305020

...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
Examination501.5 hours1-5, 9Written
Presentation 2010 minute presentations1-6, 8Written class feedback
Essay 301400 word essay 1-5, 7, 9Written

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
ExaminationExamination (2 hours)1-5, 9August/September re-assessment period
Presentation10 minute presentations1-6, 8, 9TBA with students in Term 3
Essay Essay (1400 words)5, 7, 9August/September re-assessment period

Re-assessment notes

When students’ ability to participate in seminars is severely impaired for condonable reasons, an alternative to contributions to discussions will be offered.