ESML0101: Russian national option R4: Gorbachev & Perestroika
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Russian
Level: Level 3
Assessment: ES67 CW33
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To investigate political
and social developments in the years 1985-1991 in greater depth
than was possible in RPS 2B.
Content: Origins of perestroika; glasnost and democratization;
independent politics, social activity and the emergence of a multi-party
system; nationalities issues and conflicts; the collapse of communism
and the August coup.
ESML0102: Russian national option R5: Politics in post-communist
Russia
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Russian
Level: Level 3
Assessment: ES67 CW33
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To examine the dilemmas
of economic and political reconstruction and of external relations
posed by the collapse of the communist political order in Russia,
and efforts to resolve these problems since August 1991.
To develop skills in political analysis and seminar techniques.
Content: Political institutions and actors in Russia in
August 1991; dimensions of the crisis surrounding the collapse
of Soviet communism; theoretical approaches to transition; first
steps of the political leadership; reform and political conflict;
dilemmas of foreign policy; political elites; civil society; political
culture; 1993 Constitution; elections and party formation; legal
order and corruption; local government; federalism and ethnic
politics; the experience of other former republics of the USSR;
prospects.
MANG0008: Introduction to the financial management of the
organisation
Semester 2
Credits: 5
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 CW50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: Students will understand
how accounting and financial management serves the purpose of
developing and operating a business. They will acquire a broad
knowledge of the different dimensions of financial management
and accounting which they may study in depth in later years of
the course and an introductory working knowledge of basic tools
of financial analysis and practice.
Content: (a) Financial planning and control; The financial
dimension of businesses and other organisations; Investing in
assets to yield a return - including the use of spreadsheets to
calculate investment value and conduct sensitivity tests; Financing
asset acquisition and an introduction to the cost of capital;
Estimating costs for planned activities - fixed and variable costs;
direct and indirect costs; basic elements of product cost; Preparation
of cash budgets - including spreadsheet modelling and sensitivity
tests; Annual budgeting, profit planning, liquidity control and
longer term financial projections; Preparation of budgets and
projected Profit and Loss Accounts and Balance Sheets; Controlling
operations and cost control.
(b) Reporting results in financial terms; Reporting performance
and financial results to higher levels in the organisation - cost
centre reports, profit centre reports, investment centre reports;
Reporting the results to shareholders and other outside parties
- preparation of final accounts, structure and interpretation
of final accounts, underlying concepts (going concern, prudence,
materiality, etc.); Measures of performance in the financial press
- share prices, earnings per share, p/e ratios, assessing the
quality of earnings announcements, etc.; Outline of the role of
company law, the accounting profession and Accounting Standards
in controlling the content of published information;
Outline of complications created by going international/ global
for investment analysis, financing the business, financial control
and financial reporting.
MANG0010: Company law
Semester 2
Credits: 5
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX60 ES40
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To equip students with
a fundamental knowledge of the ways in which business enterprises
function both internally and the impact on outsiders. Students
will be able to consider the relevant factors in forming and operating
different types of business. They will be able to read and understand
company documents and identify their implications for directors,
officers, shareholders and creditors..
Content: The concept of agency in the context of commercial
enterprises. Formation and functioning of businesses (partnerships
and companies); liability of the business, directors or partners,
and officers, internally and towards outsiders as well as the
rights of owners of a business in different circumstances. Different
regimes and rules governing operation; winding-up and insolvency,
and the principles involved in controls on mergers and take-overs.
The non-statutory controls imposed by the Stock Exchange and other
bodies in a number of areas including in the area of insider dealing.
MANG0013: Employee relations 1
Semester 2
Credits: 5
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX60 ES40
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course has three aims:
to give a broad overview of the major features of industrial relations
in the UK; to explore the practical aspects of managing relations
with employees in unionised and non-unionised organisations and
to place industrial relations in its wider legal, economic, and
political environments. Particular attention is paid employee
relations in the workplace.
Content: Employment Relationship: some concepts; perspectives
on employee relations; changes in the management of the employment
relationship; introduction to methods of resolving conflict; formal
and informal bargaining in the workplace; employee participation
and involvement; managers, supervisors and team leaders; employee
representatives.
MANG0029: Employee relations 2
Semester 1
Credits: 5
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX60 ES40
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course examines developments
in the management of the Employment Relationship in the UK and
makes comparisons with changes in other countries. Particular
attention is given to changes in the institutions of Employee
Relations.
Content: Key changes in the Management of the Employment
Relationship; Employers and Managers; Trade Unions; Industrial
Conflict; Role of the State in Employee Relations; Legal intervention.
MANG0040: European integration studies 1
Semester 1
Credits: 5
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide a basic grounding
in the theory, politics and economics of European integration.
Students will complete the course with a sound knowledge of European
Union institutions and key economic policies.
Content: Subjects covered will be: integration theory;
EU political institutions, their legitimacy and their accountability;
the EU decision-making process; EC finances and funds; the single
market and Europe's lost competitiveness; competition policy;
the EU, world trade and developing countries; regional policy;
economic and monetary union; the enlargement of the EU, the EEA
and Central and Eastern Europe.
Lectures will be supplemented by case study discussions, tutorial
sessions and a revision workshop.
MANG0042: Managing conflict
Semester 1
Credits: 5
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX60 ES40
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course examines the
sources, characteristics and possible methods of managing conflict.
Although the main focus will be on conflict within the employment
relationship other arenas will also be examined. Particular attention
will be given to negotiating and bargaining processes and conflict
resolution processes involving third parties.
Content:
How and why does conflict emerge? Its forms, features and dynamics.
Negotiating and Bargaining: concepts and models
Preparing for Negotiations: practical issues
Negotiating in practice: skills and techniques
Models of practice: analysis and re-evaluation
Negotiating in action: a practical case
Third Party Intervention: background and issues
Role of ACAS: institutions and practices
Third Party intervention in practice: skills and techniques
Third Parties: problems and issues
MANG0045: Pay & rewards
Semester 1
Credits: 5
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX60 CW40
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course will enable
the student to provide informed advice on the major aspects of
pay, rewards and performance management, based on a sound understanding
of the relevant theories and research evidence.
Content: The role of reward strategy in an organisation.
Economic, sociological and psychological theories which have influenced
pay policies and practices.
Concepts of reward structure, reward system and reward levels.
Different perceptions of fairness which influence employees' satisfaction
with their rewards.
Government pay policies. Top people's pay.
Objectives and limitations of job evaluation.
Performance-related pay in principle and in practice.
Knowledge-based, skill-based and competence-based rewards.
Pay discrimination and equal pay.
Employee benefits.
MANG0054: Business strategies & human resource management
Semester 2
Credits: 5
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX60 CW40
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course will enable
to the student to study Human Resource Management at an advanced
level especially by critically examining contemporary theory and
practice on the link between HRM and business strategies. The
student will appreciate the effect of different types of HRM strategies
on firm performance and locate these within the context of the
role of the state and trade union organisation, membership and
strategy. The student will be able to evaluate the strategies
and policies of a wide variety of organisations in the public
and private sectors and be equipped to debate these issues with
senior HR and Personnel executives. The key topics covered include
HRM: Rhetoric and Reality; Strategy, structure and devolution/decentralisation;
the pursuit of flexibility in its various forms; the resource
view of strategy; the distinction between high commitment management
and the matching models of HRM; cost leadership models and the
fragmentation of the firm; management style in the context of
trade union behaviour and the role of the state in the UK and
Europe. Examples will be taken from numerous countries.
MANG0059: European integration studies 2
Semester 2
Credits: 5
Level: Level 3
Assessment: ES100
Requisites: Pre MANG0040
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an advanced
knowledge of the impact of European policies on individuals, managements
and work organisations in the European Union. Students will complete
the course unit with a detailed knowledge of social, environmental
and sectoral impacts of integration and how business interests
can influence the EU decision-making process.
Content: Subjects covered will be: Social and employment
policy issues and the firm; EU environment policy and its impact
upon business and communities; the harmonisation of company law;
sectoral impacts of the single market and business strategies;
lobbying the EU; transport policy and trans-European networks;
implementation of EC law; the future direction of the EU.
Lectures will be supplemented by case study discussions, a decision-making
game, and tutorial sessions.
MANG0072: Managing human resources (service unit)
Semester 2
Credits: 5
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course aims to give
a broad overview of major features of human resource management.
It examines issues from the contrasting perspectives of management,
employees and public policy.
Content: Perspectives on managing human resources.
Human resource planning, recruitment and selection.
Performance, pay and rewards.
Control, discipline and dismissal.
MATH0033: Statistical inference 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Statistics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre MATH0002, Pre MATH0003, Pre MATH0005, Pre MATH0031,
Pre MATH0032
Aims & Learning Objectives: Aims: Introduce classical
estimation and hypothesis-testing principles.
Objectives: Ability to perform standard estimation procedures
and tests on normal data. Ability to carry out goodness-of-fit
tests, analyse contingency tables, and carry out non-parametric
tests.
Content: Point estimation: Maximum-likelihood estimation;
further properties of estimators, including mean square error,
efficiency and consistency; robust methods of estimation such
as the median and trimmed mean.
Interval estimation: Revision of confidence intervals.
Hypothesis testing: Size and power of tests; one-sided and two-sided
tests. Examples. Neyman-Pearson lemma.
Distributions related to the normal: t, chi-square and
F distributions.
Inference for normal data: Tests and confidence intervals for
normal means and variances, one-sample problems, paired and unpaired
two-sample problems. Contingency tables and goodness-of-fit tests.
Non-parametric methods: Sign test, signed rank test, Mann-Whitney
U-test.
SOCS0001: Principles of microeconomics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Ex SOCS0003
Aims & Learning Objectives: This course is designed
for non-specialist economists and will provide an introduction
to micro economic analysis with a minimum of technical apparatus.
The emphasis will be on policy application and evaluation with
particular reference to the UK.
Content: Scarcity and choice; resource allocation; distribution
and fairness; the market economy; the cases for and against government
intervention; policy issues - protecting the environment, privatisation
and regulation of industry.
SOCS0002: Principles of macroeconomics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Ex SOCS0005
Aims & Learning Objectives: This course is designed
for non-specialist economists and will provide an introduction
to macro economic analysis with a minimum of technical apparatus.
The emphasis will be on policy application and evaluation with
particular reference to the UK.
Content: The aggregate economy: measuring output; economic
growth; inflation; unemployment; the balance of payments ; the
UK and the European economy.
SOCS0003: Introductory microeconomics 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Ex SOCS0001
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course is designed
to provide an introduction to the methods of microeconomic analysis,
including the use of simple economic models and their application.
Students should gain an ability to derive conclusions from simple
economic models and evaluate their realism and usefulness.
Content: An introduction to economic methodology; the concept
of market equilibrium; the use of demand and supply curves, and
the concept of elasticity; elementary consumer theory, indifference
curves and their relationship to market demands; elementary theory
of production, production possibilities and their relationship
to cost curves; the supply behaviour of competitive firms and
its relationship to supply curves; the idea of general competitive
equilibrium; the efficiency properties of competitive markets;
examples of market failure.
SOCS0004: Introductory microeconomics 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre SOCS0003
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course is designed
to provide an introduction to the methods of microeconomic analysis,
including the use of simple economic models and their application.
Students should gain an ability to derive conclusions from simple
economic models and evaluate their realism and usefulness.
Content: Course content continues from Microeconomics 1.
Equity and efficiency; the tax and benefit system; factor pricing
and the labour market; public goods and merit goods; externality,
natural resources and environmental policy; non competitive market
structures; monopoly and imperfect competition; oligopoly; regulation
of monopolies.
SOCS0005: Introductory macroeconomics 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Ex SOCS0002
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course is designed
to provide an introduction to the methods of macroeconomic analysis,
including the use of simple macroeconomic models and their application
in a UK policy context.
Content: The circular flow of income and expenditure; national
income accounting; aggregate demand and supply; the components
and determinants of private and public aggregate expenditure in
closed and open economies; output and the price level in the short-
and long -run; monetary institutions and policy.
SOCS0006: Introductory macroeconomics 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre SOCS0005
Aims & Learning Objectives: Building upon Macroeconomics
1 the course extends the analysis to international issues and
to growth and development . Students should gain an ability to
apply macroeconomic analysis to important policy questions.
Content: The analysis of inflation and unemployment policies,
the balance of payments and exchange rates, savings and economic
growth, growth of developing and transitional economies.
SOCS0007: Core skills for economists: Computing 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: OT80 CW20
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To familiarize students
with University computing facilities and to explore the application
of these facilities to economics and to empirical political data.
Students should develop the spreadsheet skills to simulate the
theoretical models they are learning about in economics and politics.
They should also learn how to use CAL resources such as Winecon
and also how to use computers for accessing information.
SOCS0008: Core skills for economists: Computing 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: OT50 CW50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0007
Aims & Learning Objectives: To familiarise students
with the use of a general statistics package (currently Minitab)
as a means to analyse data. Data sources used include CSO data
and Family Expenditure Survey. Emphasis is on testing ideas from
economic theory.
Content: Data entry; use of files; interactive and batch
operations; graphs; correlation and regression. Interpretation
of results including use of 't' test.
SOCS0009: Core skills for economists: Elementary mathematics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The purpose of the course
is to provide students without A-level Mathematics with the knowledge
of elementary mathematics that is relevant to economics and to
prepare them for taking further courses of Core Skills for Economists.
Students should be able to: (i) understand elementary mathematical
concepts; (ii) solve simple mathematical problems; (iii) apply
mathematics to simple economic problems.
Content: Topics will include: Variables and functions;
Coordinates and graphs; Powers and indices, exponential and logarithmic
functions; Linear equations; Quadratic equations; Simultaneous
equations; Sequences and series; Differentiation, maxima and minima;
Integration.
This unit cannot be taken by students with A-level Mathematics.
SOCS0010: Core skills for economists: Mathematics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The purpose of the course
is to provide students with the knowledge of the main parts of
mathematics that are relevant to undergraduate economics and to
prepare them for taking further economics and econometrics courses.
Students should be able to: (i) understand mathematical concepts;
(ii) solve mathematical problems; (iii) apply mathematics to economic
problems.
Content: Topics will include: Functions of more than one
variable; Partial differentiation; Maxima and minima of multivariate
functions; Constrained optimisation; Solution of sets of linear
equations; Manipulation of vectors and matrices; Differential
and difference equations.
SOCS0011: Economic & social history of Britain in the
Twentieth Century 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an historical
context for other courses in the School
Content: Social and economic trends, patterns and developments
in the Twentieth Century
SOCS0012: Economic & social history of Britain in the
Twentieth Century 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an historical
context for other courses in the School
Content: Social and economic trends, patterns and developments
in the Twentieth Century
SOCS0013: Intermediate macroeconomics 1
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0006, Co SOCS0014
Aims & Learning Objectives: To build on first year
macroeconomics ,a rigorous structure of macro analysis, with a
European Union empirical perspective. Students should see this
field as an integrated area, rather than a series of isolated,
even if interesting, policy orientated topics.
Content: Topics include intertemporal budget constraints;
money and the demand for money; monetary policy, aggregate demand
and output.
SOCS0014: Intermediate macroeconomics 2
Semester 2
Credits: 3
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Co SOCS0013
Aims & Learning Objectives: To build on first year
macroeconomics ,a rigorous structure of macro analysis, with a
European Union empirical perspective. Students should see this
field as an integrated area, rather than a series of isolated,
even if interesting, policy orientated topics.
Content: Topics include: inflation and business cycles;
fiscal policy; labour markets; exchange rates and financial markets;
the international monetary system.
SOCS0015: Intermediate microeconomics 1
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0004, Co SOCS0016
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to provide students
specialising in economics with the analytical foundations for
the study of resource allocation within the household, firm, government,
or other institutions in a modern economy. It is essential for
anyone wishing to undertake further study of the economics of
industry, labour, environment and other sectoral economic issues
Content: The course will cover the theory of consumer behaviour,
the theory of the firm in a competitive situation, industrial
organisation and imperfect competition, the theory of factor markets,
the economics of information, welfare economics and general equilibrium
theory.
SOCS0016: Intermediate microeconomics 2
Semester 2
Credits: 3
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Co SOCS0015
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to provide students
specialising in economics with the analytical foundations for
the study of resource allocation within the household, firm, government,
or other institutions in a modern economy. It is essential for
anyone wishing to undertake further study of the economics of
industry, labour, environment and other sectoral economic issues
Content: The course will cover the theory of factor markets,
the economics of information, welfare economics and general equilibrium
theory. It will follow directly on from Intermediate Microeconomics
I
SOCS0017: Economic thought & policy
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX80 ES20
Requisites: Pre SOCS0004, Pre SOCS0006, Pre SOCS0001, Pre SOCS0002
Aims & Learning Objectives: *To familiarise students
with a range of primary source texts written by major economists
from the late eighteenth to early twentieth century.
*To stimulate an interest and knowledge base in the historical
development of economics in Britain.
*To convey the relevance of the economics of earlier writers to
an understanding of present day economic thought and debate.
Content: The historical development of economic thought
and policy from the beginning of the industrial revolution in
the eighteenth century (Adam Smith) to the great depression and
rise to dominance of Keynesian policy.
SOCS0018: Money & finance
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0004, Pre SOCS0006, Pre SOCS0001, Pre SOCS0002
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course is designed
to provide an introduction to the analysis of financial behaviour,
and to use this analysis to explain and evaluate recent trends
in UK financial markets, institutions, and policy.
Content: Risk and return: financial instruments and their
pricing; financial intermediation; money and capital markets;
the foreign exchange market; deposit- and non-deposit-taking financial
institutions; government borrowing, the regulatory regime, and
the role of the central bank.
SOCS0019: Economics of industry
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0004
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to examine industry
and the policy context within which it operates, with particular
reference to the UK. The emphasis is in part on providing a descriptive
account of the key features of industrial structure and in part
on providing an account of theoretical models which can be used
to explain the behaviour of firms and industries. The aim is to
develop an understanding of industrial behaviour which can serve
as a basis for understanding business strategy and industrial
policy.
Content: The Unit provides a descriptive review of contemporary
industrial structure and of the relationship between industry
in the UK, Europe and beyond. It reviews the two main paradigms
for analysing industry, namely the Structure-Conduct-Performance
model and the New Industrial Economics. It applies microeconomic
theory to explain why firms exist and how they select price, output
and marketing strategies. It examines the role played by government
policy in the operation and regulation of industry.
SOCS0020: Economics of social policy
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0001, Pre SOCS0004
Aims & Learning Objectives: This objective is to build
on the students knowledge of microeconomic principles and apply
and extend them within the context of social policy. Efficiency
and equity issues within this important area will be stressed.
Content: Topics covered will include: Market failure and
the arguments underlying the case for 'social policy'; redistribution
issues; social security and poverty; the 'welfare state' (social
services, health ,education and housing). Techniques of economic
appraisal and their application to social policy expenditures.
Social policy and 'Europe'.
SOCS0021: Labour economics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0004, Pre SOCS0006
Aims & Learning Objectives: This course is a sustained
application and extension of predominantly intermediate microeconomic
theory to the labour market. Students should gain a critical appreciation
of the impact of market forces, institutions and regulations within
labour markets. The general desirability of government intervention
of various types into this area of the economy is a key question
students should be able to tackle by the end of the course.
Content: Labour is the most important single factor of
production and the analytical and empirical study of the labour
market the content of this course. Topics covered will include:
Labour supply and demand; human capital investment; the distribution
of earnings; discrimination and segmentation; economic models
of trade unions; search, vacancy and unemployment analysis.
SOCS0022: Mathematical economics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites: Pre SOCS0004, Pre SOCS0006
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim of this course
is to equip students with an understanding of, and an ability
to use, mathematical methods in economics
Content: The course covers constrained optimisation for
the household and the firm using the Lagrangian method, including
duality; linear programming; matrix algebra as applied to input-output
analysis and macro-models; the use of first and second order difference
and differential equations in economic dynamics; simple non-linear
dynamics.
Students must have A-level Mathematics or undertaken the appropriate
pre-requisite units to take this unit.
SOCS0023: Statistics for economists
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX80 CW20
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The purpose of the course
is to provide students with the knowledge of the main parts of
statistics that are relevant to undergraduate economics and to
prepare them for taking further economics and econometrics courses.
Students should be able to: (i) understand statistical concepts;
(ii) solve statistical problems; (iii) apply statistics to economic
problems.
Content: Topics will include: Definition of probability,
conditional probability, rules for addition and multiplication;
Bayes theorem; Discrete and continuous distributions; Binomial
and normal distributions; Sampling theory; Point estimation, standard
errors and confidence intervals; Hypothesis testing; Type I and
Type II errors.
SOCS0024: Introduction to econometrics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 CW50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0010, Pre SOCS0008
Aims & Learning Objectives: (a) To provide students
with a knowledge of the sources and quality of official economic
data in the UK.
(b) To provide students with the tools to critically evaluate
applied work in Economics
(c) To introduce students to the problems found in carrying out
applied work in Economics
Content: The course concentrates on the single equation
Classical Regression Model. Topics covered include: the nature
of econometrics; sources and quality of data; statistical inference
and hypothesis testing; basic two variable regression; multiple
regression - including models non-linear in variables, dummy variables;
multicollinearity; heteroskedasticity; autocorrelation; model
attributes.
SOCS0025: European economic history 1: 1800-1950
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To examine some of the
leading features of the history of Europe.
Content: Patterns of development, chiefly in economic matters,
taken by the principal nations of Europe.
SOCS0026: European economic history 2: 1800-1950
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To examine some of the
leading features of the history of Europe.
Content: Patterns of development, chiefly in economic matters,
taken by the principal nations of Europe.
SOCS0027: Economics of development 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 CW20 ES30
Requisites: Pre SOCS0004, Pre SOCS0006, Pre SOCS0001, Pre SOCS0002
Aims & Learning Objectives: To relate economic theory
to debates over the determinants of global poverty, and over the
prospects for economic development and poverty reduction in low
and middle income countries.
Content: The status of development economics as a sub-discipline.
Open and closed dual economy models of industrialization. Industrialization
and trade strategies. Definition and measurement of poverty. Models
of the farm-household, and theories of agrarian change. Demographic
transition and the environment.
SOCS0028: Economics of development 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0027, Pre SOCS0031
Aims & Learning Objectives: To apply general theories
of economic development to contemporary issues in selected low
and middle income countries, and to understand the relationship
between economics and other social science disciplines relevant
to the analysis of these issues.
Content: Development economics is first located within
the wider framework of development studies. Contemporary policy
issues in selected low and middle income countries are then considered,
with a current focus on the origins, components and effects of
stabilisation and structural adjustment in Sub-Saharan Africa
and South Asia.
SOCS0029: Economics of transition
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0016, Pre SOCS0014
Aims & Learning Objectives: To use economic analysis
to understand the changes which are taking place in Central and
Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, relating them to the
creation of market economies.
Content: Topics covered will include the speed and sequencing
of adjustment; privatisation; financial markets; foreign trade;
growth and inflation; legal changes; the labour market; public
finance issues.
SOCS0030: International monetary economics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0016, Pre SOCS0014
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to present a
fairly rigorous account of the material that relates to monetary
aspects of an open economy. The emphasis is on theory and analysis
rather than policy. Students should gain a critical appreciation
of the theoretical tools used in this important area of economics
alongside an understanding of the different "economic"
worlds they can be used to create.
Content: The course tries to emphasise debate by generally
contrasting a Keynesian real side approach with a more classically
inspired monetary approach. Specific topics include: the nature
and significance of the balance of payments; parity concepts;
the "efficient markets" hypothesis; devaluation; open
economy macroeconomics; flexible versus fixed exchange rates;
the foreign trade sector, "Europe" and international
policy co-ordination.
SOCS0031: Economic growth & natural resources
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0014, Pre SOCS0016
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to provide a
fairly sophisticated account of theories of economic growth and
of natural resource use, leading on to a discussion of the concept
of sustainable development. Though the course draws on some techniques
of dynamic optimisation, the emphasis is on economic intuition
and empirical relevance rather than rigorous mathematical proof.
Content: The neo-classical model of growth; endogenous
growth; optimal saving; depletion of exhaustible resources; management
of renewable resources; intergenerational equity; sustainable
development.
SOCS0032: Environmental economics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0016
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course provides the
economic perspective on environmental regulation and on the management
of natural resources. The emphasis is on the use of economic tools
to value environmental impacts and the use of natural resources;
and to design cost effective methods of controlling pollution
and misuse of the natural environment.
Content: The course will discuss the welfare economic basis
of environmental economics and why market systems do not provide
adequate environmental protection. It will go on to study different
methods of valuing the environment and on regulating it in a national
context. Finally it will deal with the theme of environment and
development, and the idea of sustainable development.
SOCS0033: Advanced microeconomics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0016, Pre SOCS0022
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim of this course
is to build on second year microeconomics and introduce topics
that are the subject of recent academic research. This will provide
students with: (i) an understanding of the scope of modern microeconomics
and its applications, (ii) an ability to read and understand current
literature in microeconomics, (iii) an ability to use advanced
microeconomic concepts in analysing specific issues.
Content: The course covers topics that deal with three
inter-related issues: the passage of time, uncertainty about the
future, the use of information. These include: the principles
of decision making under uncertainty, with applications to insurance,
stock-markets and firm behaviour; investment behaviour of firms
under certainty and uncertainty; problems of asymmetric information;
screening and signalling; strategic behaviour.
SOCS0034: Advanced macroeconomics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0016, Pre SOCS0022
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim of this course
is to build on second year macroeconomics and introduce topics
that are the subject of recent academic research, this will provide
students with: (I) an
understanding of the scope of modern macroeconomics and its applications,
(ii) an ability to read and understand current literature in macroeconomics,
(iii) an ability to use advanced macroeconomic concepts in analysing
specific issues.
Content: The course covers in depth two inter-related issues:
the causes of business cycles and of unemployment. Topics covered
include modern real business cycle theory; endogenous business
cycles, simple non-linear models, wage and price rigidity, insider
and outsider behaviour, efficiency wages and unemployment hysteresis.
SOCS0035: Economics project 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: CW90 OR10
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: This objective is for students
to learn how to design and carry out research on a specific economic
question. Students should gain insights into the development of
sustained analysis, hypothesis formation and 'testing'. The work
will involve independent study alongside presentations to other
students, and will help develop skills valuable in the labour
market.
Content: The economic topic will be chosen by the student
with the proviso that it contains a significant amount of economic
analysis. The option will involve two presentations by each student:
the first covering the rationale for the topic chosen and a critical
appraisal of the existing literature relating to it, and the second
a presentation of the finished project and its conclusions.
SOCS0036: Economics project 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: CW100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The objective is for students
to learn how to extend and elaborate research from an initial
project on a specific economic question. Students should gain
insight into the use of economic analysis under the guidance of
a supervisor.
Content: The economic topic will be an approved extension
of the one chosen by the student on the Economics Project 1 course.
SOCS0037: International trade
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0016
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim of the course is
to provide an understanding of the way in which economic theory
can be applied to issues such as why countries engage in international
trade and why they adopt trade restraints. The emphasis of the
course is on theory and analysis rather than description. Students
will become more skilled in understanding and applying economic
analysis and more aware of economic debates concerning current
issues in international trade.
Content: After an introduction to basic concepts, the topics
discussed will include: comparative advantage; the gains from
trade; adjustment costs; the Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson model;
the Specific Factors Model; theories of intra-industry trade;
the costs of protection, smuggling, trade taxes as a revenue source;
the optimum tariff; export subsidies; international cartels, quotas
and voluntary export restraint,; international integration; multinational
enterprises and the welfare effects of the international movement
of factors of production.
SOCS0038: Public expenditure & public choice
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0016
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim of the course is
to examine alternative ways by which the allocation of resources
within the public sector can be evaluated. Criteria for evaluation
of public expenditure are discussed and techniques, such as cost
benefit analysis, are appraised. An important learning objective
is to develop an understanding of how different perspectives can
be applied. In particular, the standard 'public finance' approach
is contrasted with the more recent 'public choice' approach. The
course is theoretical and analytical rather than descriptive.
Content: The course begins with a review of welfare economics
(- as public expenditure analysis is applied welfare economics).
Market failure and the rationale for government intervention is
assessed. The impact of alleged 'failings' in the political process
is also assessed. The behaviour of voters, political parties,
bureaucrats and pressure groups is analysed using microeconomic
theory. The growth of the public sector is considered in terms
of both market and government failure. Techniques for public sector
appraisal are discussed.
SOCS0039: Economics of taxation
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0016, Pre SOCS0014
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to provide criteria
which can be used to assess different taxes. The student will
learn how to appraise tax reform against a set of criteria which
include efficiency, equity, etc. The learning objective is to
develop skills associated with the application of economic theory.
The course is theoretical and analytical rather than descriptive.
Content: The course begins with an analysis of the welfare
costs of taxation. Tax incidence is discussed. The effect of tax
on work effort, saving and risk taking is explored (and, in particular,
the claims of 'supply-side economists' are assessed). Tax expenditures
(e.g. tax relief for charitable giving) are appraised. Tax evasion
and policy to deter tax evasion is discussed International taxation
is considered. The choice between taxation and government borrowing
is examined.
SOCS0040: Macroeconomic modelling
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to provide a
thorough grounding in the practice, techniques and limitations
of macroeconomic modelling.
Content: Building a macroeconomic model, optimisation subject
to the constraints of a model, comparison of UK macroeconomic
models and industry forecasting models.
SOCS0041: Econometrics 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to present a
rigorous account of econometrics. The language of econometrics
is matrix algebra. The emphasis is on both theory and applications
in equal measure. Knowledge of econometrics is an essential part
of the toolkit of any economist and econometric techniques are
used in a wide range of disciplines, including management, statistics
and biological sciences.
Content: The course follows Johnson's classic text to a
large extent. Specific topics include, ols, 2sls and lagged variables.
There are no formal pre-requisites but a knowledge of basic statistics,
economics and computing is essential.
SOCS0042: Econometrics 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0041
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to present a
rigorous account of econometrics. It continues from Econometrics
I. The emphasis is on both theory and applications in equal measure.
Knowledge of econometrics is an essential part of the tool kit
of any economist and econometric techniques are used in a wide
range of disciplines, including management, statistics and biological
sciences.
Content: The course follows Johnson's classic text to a
large extent. Specific topics include, nonlinear least squares,
analysis of forecasts, ARIMA modelling, cointegration and error
correction models.
SOCS0043: Advanced econometrics 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0042
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to extend the
knowledge of econometrics to a very high and rigorous level. The
language is a combination of matrix algebra and maximum likelihood.
The emphasis is on both theory and applications in equal measure.
The course concentrates on both time series analysis and cross
section analysis.
Content: The course builds on the econometrics course and
includes 3sls, fiml, probit, logit and other limited dependent
variable techniques and sure.
SOCS0044: Advanced econometrics 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Economics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0043
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to extend the
knowledge of econometrics to a very high and rigorous level. The
language is a combination of matrix algebra and maximum likelihood.
The emphasis is on both theory and applications in equal measure.
The course concentrates on both time series analysis .
Content: The course builds on the Advanced Econometrics
I course and includes splines, vars, Granger causality, Box and
Cox methods and spectral analysis.
SOCS0045: Introduction to social policy & the welfare
state 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Co SOCS0046
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an introduction
to social policy as a field of study. To examine the nature and
extent of poverty and inequality in Britain today, as a means
of developing an understanding of social policy as a field of
study.
Content: Introduction to Social Policy; Concepts and Definitions
of Poverty; Social Exclusion; Evidence on the Incidence of Poverty
and Inequality; Demographic Factors and their relationship to
Poverty; Poverty, Gender and 'Race'; Poverty and Policy.
SOCS0046: Introduction to social policy & the welfare
state 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Co SOCS0045
Aims & Learning Objectives: To further develop an understanding
of social policy as a field of study. To examine the historical
evolution of social policy and the welfare state in Britain. To
introduce and examine the concept of the 'mixed economy of welfare'.
To review and analyse recent developments in the major social
service areas.
Content: Services and sectors in Social Policy; 1834 Poor
Law; the 1842 'Sanitary Report'; The Liberal Reforms and the Introduction
of Pensions; Beveridge and the impact of the 2nd World war; the
Post-War Welfare State; Thatcherism and Social Policy; Educational
Reform; Housing; Community Care
SOCS0047: 'Race' & racism
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To develop an understanding
of issues of 'race' and ethnicity. To examine the dimensions of
discrimination and disadvantage in Britain. To analyse key policy
areas to highlight the prevalence and effects of racism. To evaluate
attempts to eradicate racism, discrimination and disadvantage.
Content: Concepts of 'Race' and Ethnicity; Racial Inequality
in Britain; Racism; Colonialism; Racial Harassment; Immigration;
Race Relations Law; Multi-Culturalism, Anti-Racism and Education;
Urban Unrest; 'Race', Racism and Policing; 'Race' and Citizenship.
SOCS0048: Family, gender & social policy
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To examine changing patterns
of family and working life, the causes of these, and their implications
for gender roles and for social policy, in the UK and elsewhere.
Content: Definitions of the family; The politics of the
family; The regulation of sexual behaviour, marriage & divorce;
Lone parenthood; Feminist theory and the family; Childhood and
children's rights; Support for families; Concepts of Family policy;
The relationship between family policy and other areas of policy.
SOCS0049: The social policy process
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Ex SOCS0104
Aims & Learning Objectives: This unit introduces students
to key concepts for analysing the policy-making process. By the
end of the unit students should have a basic understanding of
problems and issues in the making and implementation of social
policy in Britain. This course has a common lecture programme
with the Politics and Policy course, however each course has a
separate seminar programme.
Content: Each lecture covers one conceptual topic, including:
Introduction to Policy Analysis; Theories of the State; Power;
Models of Decision-making and Policy Formulation; Implementation;
Street-Level Decision-Making; Organisational Constraints; Interest
Groups and Policy Communities. The seminars apply these to topical
issues in social policy.
SOCS0050: Social values & social policy
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: This unit introduces students
to a range of values and principles used to justify the role of
the state in social policy. By the end of the module students
should be familiar with the broad range of principles and should
be able to apply some of them to current debates.
Content: Each lectures will cover one core principle, including:
Need, Freedom, Equality, Justice, Citizenship, Community. The
seminars will apply each to one issue or problem in contemporary
social policy; for example, training schemes and equality of opportunity;
citizenship and rights to a basic income.
SOCS0051: Social policy research project
Semester 2
Credits: 3
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 2
Assessment: CW100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an opportunity
for students to develop their understanding of the application
of qualitative and / or quantitative research methods through
the design, implementation and reporting of a self-contained research
project. Students will present their work (as ongoing) during
the seminars arranged for this unit.
Content: Specific research methods and quantitative techniques
selected at the design stage and applied during the research project.
Main focus of project may anticipate work placement or dissertation
topic.
SOCS0052: Social policy literature review
Semester 2
Credits: 3
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 2
Assessment: CW100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To research and prepare
a critical literature review on a specific topic. To learn and
explore internet search facilities.
Content: Students will choose a specific research topic
and conduct a literature review. The topic chosen could be linked
to the student's final year dissertation research project.
SOCS0053: Social policy dissertation 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 3
Assessment: OT100
Requisites: Co SOCS0054
Aims & Learning Objectives: To design and conduct a
research project on an approved social policy topic. To gain experience
of undertaking primary research in social policy. To develop a
critical awareness of methodological issues in applied social
research.
Content: Students will choose a specific research topic
and design a research project. Students will undertake fieldwork
research on their chosen topic.
SOCS0054: Social policy dissertation 2
Semester 2
Credits: 12
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 3
Assessment: DS100
Requisites: Co SOCS0053
Aims & Learning Objectives: To complete fieldwork research
undertaken in Semester 1. To analyse fieldwork data. To prepare
a research dissertation on the student's chosen topic.
Content: Students will complete their fieldwork research
(started in Semester 1) and analyse data collected. Students will
write up their research projects in the form of a 10,000 word
dissertation.
SOCS0055: Social policy evaluation
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 2
Assessment: CW100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0046
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim of this course
is to develop an understanding of the principal approaches to
social policy evaluation, and to develop the capacity to apply
appropriately these approaches to policy examples.
As a result of this course, students should
* understand the strategic and political dimensions of social
policy evaluation
* be able to compare and contrast the strengths of the different
approaches and their uses in different settings
* be able to design an evaluation project
* be able to write a project report
Content: 1. What is evaluation and why evaluate?
2. Evaluation methodology
3. Effectiveness, efficiency and economy
4. Performance indicators, outcomes and quality assessment
5. Illuminative evaluation
6. The evaluation of innovation
7. The politics and organisation of evaluation
8. Learning through experience
SOCS0056: Health policies & politics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0050, Pre SOCS0049
Aims & Learning Objectives: This course aims to develop
an understanding of how health policy integrates with wider social
policy issues, as well as a detailed understanding of the content
and dynamism of health policy processes. As a result , students
should
* understand the impact of different welfare models on health
care systems in Europe and America
* understand the political forces behind health care reform in
the British NHS
* understand the pressures exerted on health care systems and
the range of responses that have arisen
* be able to compare and contrast the strengths of the different
approaches and their uses in different settings
Content: 1. Health, health care and health policy
2. Comparing health systems: the UK
3. Comparing health systems: the USA and Europe
4. Pressures on health care systems (1) Demographic and economic
changes
5. Pressures on health care systems (2) Science and technology
6. Politics of reform: 50 years of the NHS
7. Rationing and priority setting
8. Medicine and the media: the effect on policy
9. Paying for care and the mixed economy
10. Evaluating health care and health policy
11. Informing health policy: the politics of data gathering
12. The New Public Health
SOCS0057: Comparative social policy
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0049, Pre SOCS0050
Aims & Learning Objectives: This unit introduces students
to the social policies of several European countries. By the end
of the module students should have a basic knowledge of the patterns
and development of welfare policies in these countries and be
able to situate them in relation to models of different welfare
state regimes.
Content: The course adopts two approaches to the material.
In the first part, it examines in depth the development of social
policies in specific countries which represent different 'welfare
regimes': Germany, Sweden, Italy and Russia/ Central Europe. Second,
it then compares specific policy areas across these countries,
such as pensions and health services. The module concludes by
considering the impact of the EU and the prospects for converging
social policies in Europe.
SOCS0058: Social security policy in comparative perspective
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0049, Pre SOCS0050
Aims & Learning Objectives: To compare different ways
of meeting financial need, including historical and cross-national
comparisons. To examine the assumptions and values that structure
social security provision. To examine in detail the nature and
impact of specific benefits.
Content: The scope of structure of UK social security;
Models of social security policy; Reviews and reforms; Unemployment
and work incentives; Families and lone parents, Child Support;
Social security, tax and private provision; Poverty and the adequacy
of benefits; Benefits for housing and local taxes; The benefit
unit; Benefits for sickness and disability; Pensions and social
security for elderly people; Benefit fraud and abuse; Non-take-up
of benefits; Rights, discretion and the appeals procedure; Meeting
special needs
SOCS0059: Advanced social policy analysis
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Policy
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0049, Pre SOCS0050
Aims & Learning Objectives: To equip the student in
a variety of techniques for analysing social policy issues.
Content: The emphasis is on a multi-method approach, including
both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Approaches include
secondary analysis of household survey data, examination of Government
and other official documents and the use of techniques and concepts
from other disciplines such as economics. In any given year the
methods are illustrated with reference to two social policy issues.
SOCS0060: Introduction to social work
Semester 2
Credits: 3
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 1
Assessment: ES100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide students with
an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the personal
social services, and implications of these for professional social
work.
Content: The unit provides an orientation to later social
work units, through examination of the value base of social work,
service user perspectives, and contemporary debates within the
social services field.
SOCS0061: Communication skills
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: ES100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course aims to extend
and develop the communication skills of students for use in social
work practice.
Content: Various styles of communication are addressed
with the main focus on interviewing, report writing and non verbal
communication. Telephone skills, assertiveness, working with interpreters
and use of Makaton signing are considered and students are provided
with information about extra-curricular specialist training available
locally. There is an introductory session on observation. Students
are encouraged to apply their communication skills to future interactions
with service users, colleagues and other professionals and to
consider issues of power and status. The importance of developing
anti-discriminatory practice is emphasised at all levels of communication
but particularly in face to face interactions with serve users.
Effective non-oppressive ways of communicating with disadvantaged
groups such as minority ethnic groups, older people, disabled
people, people with mental health problems or learning difficulties
and children are explored. The course asks students to think,
to plan and to reflect before they take action. They are required
to examine themselves closely to develop awareness of what they
communicate about themselves and what they carry with them into
interactions. They will consider their abilities to empathise,
to respect and to understand the positions of others. Small groups,
role plays and other exercises are used to practice listening
and interviewing skills.
SOCS0062: Groupwork
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: ES100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide students with
an understanding of groupwork theory and practice.
Content: The course covers the purpose of groupwork, group
typologies, membership and contracts, planning, co-facilitation,
group dynamics, problems and anti-discriminatory practices. Group
work theories and methods. Recording and evaluation.
SOCS0063: Community profiling
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: ES100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To develop understanding
of the importance for Social Work of knowing about the context
in which users and potential users of services live; to apply
this understanding of a particular example of service users to
wider social systems; to develop skills in social researching;
to test out these skills in collaboration with others; to l earn
about team work and workload management; to work with organisations
in the community to collect and collate information for a community
profile; to produce information collected in useful presentations,
both written reports and visual presentations.
Input on the purpose of community profiling; community profiling
and service development; community profiling and responsive, user
focused, anti-discriminatory practice; skills and tasks of community
profiling; opportunity to test out these skills in collaboration
with student colleagues in a community profile project negotiated
with a local community organisation; presentation day in which
reports are presented by groups back to student colleagues, staff
members, and invited staff and service users encountered during
the project.
SOCS0064: Developing professional competence 1
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: ES100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: This unit introduces the
style of learning embraced by the social work course to facilitate
the transition from university student to qualified practitioner
- the development of professional competence.
Content: Models of adult learning; observation techniques
for social work practice; exploration of the links between theory
and practice in social work; values in practice; methods of obtaining
user feedback; core knowledge on welfare rights; the legal framework
of social work; statutory, voluntary and private sectors; conflicts
and dilemmas in transferring social work values to practice; use
of supervision.
SOCS0065: Discrimination & empowerment in social work
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To build on prior understanding
of how some groups in society are marginalised and discriminated
against; to understand the way in which social work practice and
social work organisations impact on these groups; raising awareness
of discrimination to form the development of strategies for practice
individually and collectively, personally and professionally,
which will reduce service users' experience of discrimination
and enable them to take greater control of their lives; to learn
how to evaluate practice using skills learnt elsewhere, eg personal
reflection, service user feedback, supervision, group discussion,
use of theory and recorded experience.
Content: Group rules for discussing challenging issues
in a group setting; reflections on childhood and the experience
of marginalisation; developing personal action plans; raising
personal awareness and developing strategies in relation to racism,
sexism and discrimination against children, mental health service
users, disabled people, older people, people with learning difficulties
and people diagnosed as HIV positive; the social model of disability
and the way it informs social work practice; ageism and social
work with older people; learning about HIV, AIDS and the implications
for social work.
SOCS0066: Social work placement 1
Semester 1
Credits: 18
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 2
Assessment: ES100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To enable students to develop
and then to demonstrate that they have acquired, integrated and
applied the knowledge, skills and values for social work practice.
Content: Development to a foundation level of the six core
competencies: communicate and engage; promote and enable; assess
and plan; intervene and provide services; work in organisations;
develop professional competence. Also demonstration that the value
requirements have been met; ie that they identify and question
their own values and prejudices and their implications for practice;
respect and value uniqueness and diversity and recognise and build
on strengths; promote people's rights to choice, privacy confidentiality
and protection whilst recognising and addressing the complexities
of competing rights and demands; assist people to increase control
of and improve the quality of their lives, while recognising that
control of behaviour will be required at times in order to protect
children and adults from harm; identify, analyse and take action
to counter discrimination, racism, disadvantage, inequality and
injustice, using strategies appropriate to role and function;
and practise in a manner that does not stigmatise or disadvantage
either individuals, groups or communities.
SOCS0067: Developing professional competence 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To enable students to reflect
on their recent placement experiences and on the development of
professional competence within the value base of social work.
To build an understanding of the importance of organisational
issues in social work practice; to use prior experience (placement
and paid and voluntary experiences) to reflect on the ways in
which organisational issues can help or hinder the development
and delivery of good quality practice; to develop further understanding
of these matters which can then be tested out in subsequent practice.
Content: Reflections on placement experiences. Values in
social work practice. Supervision: contrasting and comparing styles
experienced in practice. Functions of supervision and supervision
in different contexts. Supervision as an environment for learning
and development. Priority setting and planning in social work
practice. Exploring how and why social workers/teams ration social
work. Is it possible for rationing to improve rather than deny
a service? Workload and time management. Recording: relating recording
to purpose, evaluating records. Issues and consequences of open
recording. Teams in social work - what is their purpose and value?
Issues arising in teamwork in social work settings. Meetings:
issues and problems in conducting and participating in meetings.
Their purpose and value in social work. Effective meetings. Understanding
the agency as an organisation. Can an organisation have aims and
objectives? How might it pursue them? How do competing aims resolve
themselves? A critical view of the role and function of management
in social work.
SOCS0068: Child care research & practice
Semester 2
Credits: 3
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aims of this course
are: to develop students' skills in child observation; to build
their understanding of the links between child care research and
practice; to consider the implications of legislation for practice;
to build their knowledge of recent child care research findings
and to develop their ability to critically evaluate and use this
research to inform their practice; and to ensure all students
have a grounding in the principles and practice of child protection
work.
Content: Topics covered include: the skills of observation
for child assessment; Research, policy and practice links. Historical
overview of child care developments. Backdrop to the 1989 Children
Act; key concepts of the Act and their implications for practice.
Child care research of the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Children in need,
family support and direct work. Children looked after. Child protection:
key points of the 1989 Children Act; definitions of child abuse;
child abuse in a social context; personal, professional and theoretical
perspectives on child abuse; indicators, signs and symptoms of
abuse; multi-agency work in child protection; child protection
procedures; issues of ethnicity and culture; assessment in child
protection; research and its relevance for practice.
SOCS0069: Legislation for social work practice 1
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: ES100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim of the unit is
to cover the key areas of child care legislation relevant to a
local authority social worker. It is based on the belief that
all students must have a basic comprehension of the principles
and key facts in child care law if they are to be able to help
safeguard children and promote their welfare.
Content: Each week focuses on one area of legislation.
Topics include: private law; Social Services support to families;
child protection; Care and Supervision Orders; family placements;
residential placements; regulation and monitoring.
SOCS0070: Theories & methods in social work
Semester 2
Credits: 3
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: This course aims to set
social work methods within their theoretical contexts and to clarify
the links between theory and practice.
Content: The relationship between theory and practice is
examined critically and the question 'what works in social work?'
is posed. An overview of theories which impact upon social work
is given and distinctions drawn between the broad theoretical
perspectives which underpin practice and those theories of social
work methods which more closely prescribe action. To meet the
learning needs of future practitioners, theories and methods which
have most relevance to present day social work are selected as
the knowledge base most likely to inform future practice. They
include counselling; family therapy; task-centred work; crisis
intervention; behavioural and cognitive approaches. Various styles
of adult learning are used and students are expected to participate
in small groups, role plays and other exercises. Placement experiences
provide illustrations of theories and methods in practice and
also case examples for analysis.
SOCS0071: Sociology of social work
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To place social work in
context, to explore range of relations between sociology and social
work. Students to make connections with prior sociology learning,
to apply sociological analysis and to be able to analyse the role
of sociology in social work. For students to develop critical
analysis of social work and own practice.
Content: The course focuses upon the knowledge base of
social work, sociological approaches to child abuse, social work
as a profession, social work language and discourse analysis,
sociology and disability, power and social work, social work and
social control, social work and the media.
SOCS0072: Dissertation preparation
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment:
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The dissertation provides
an opportunity for students to study and discuss one topic of
relevance to social work in depth. Through preparation of the
dissertation they develop their capacity for critical analysis,
evaluation, application of theory and integration of values in
practice
Content: Preparation of an outline of the dissertation
plus selected bibliography.
SOCS0073: Dissertation
Semester 1
Credits: 12
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: DS100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The dissertation provides
an opportunity for students to study and discuss one topic of
relevance to social work in depth. Through preparation of the
dissertation they develop their capacity for critical analysis,
evaluation, application of theory and integration of values in
practice
Content: Knowledge and understanding of related concepts
and theories from the social sciences must be evident in the analysis,
which should also include an evaluation of research and published
accounts of practice in the specific area of study. Topics might
include a particular social work task, a form of social work intervention,
a particular issue of relevance to social work etc. Students will
be expected to undertake and to present a review of relevant literature.
SOCS0074: Legislation for social work practice 2
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: This unit complements the
child care law module in the previous summer term. The aim is
to help future practitioners to develop sufficient understanding
of the legal framework and the law specific to social work to
appreciate the implications for practice.
Content: The course is taught by specialist practitioners
and academics with practice experience to maintain the focus upon
social work values and the tensions between them and legal constraints.
The unit explains how the law may be used as an effective social
work tool as well as how to work within its parameters. Students
are directed towards sources rather than offered exhaustive accounts
of the detailed law government each area. They are expected to
supplement course materials with further reading and research.
Specific topics include: youth justice - social work practice
in the Courts, - law and mental health, - law and disability,
- law and race, - law and older people, - law and homelessness,
- law and sex discrimination..
SOCS0075: Developing professional competence 3: Principles
of practice
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: ES100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To respond to ethical issues
in social work practice raised for students in their prior learning;
to develop thinking in identifying and clarifying values and principles
for social work generally and students individually; to explore
some of the ethical dilemmas and confusions raised in everyday
social work practice.
Content: General consideration of ethics and their place
in social work; identification of ethical issues and dilemmas
from students' experience - eg values and conflicts of interest;
authority and accountability in social work; cultural relativism
and values; values and the maintenance of purpose and morale.
SOCS0076: Alcohol & drug dependency
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To ensure students have
a basic understanding of drug and alcohol dependency; its implications
for social work practice; treatment methods.
Content: Topics include: alcohol; prescribed drugs; illicit
drugs; eating disorders. A theme throughout the course will be
contrasting a social and psychological approach with a medical
one. A case study approach will be used throughout.
SOCS0077: Community care
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To focus prior knowledge,
skills and understanding of values into the broad area of Community
Care; to develop this prior understanding to prepare students
for practice in their preferred area for final placement; to understand
the development of Community Care both as a range of concepts
and as a way of organising and delivering social services to service
users; to develop specific understanding of the role and practice
of care managers in assessment for, delivery and development of
services; to respond to the interests and learning needs of individual
students in this broad subject area (eg in relation to service
user groups or type of service provision); to provide a service
user focus on the delivery of service.
Content: Flexible to accommodate students' own learning
aims but will include: the development of Community Care; service
user involvement in both care management and service development;
care management skills, including user empowerment; community
work skills (assessment of community needs, service development,
networking, collaboration with formal and informal community groups);
multi-disciplinary work; diversity of Community Care provision
(the "mixed economy of care"); informal carers; gender,
culture and the concept of caring.
SOCS0078: Mental health
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: This programme is designed
to prepare students for practice in a range of mental health settings.
It aims to develop students' understanding of the interrelationships
between the statutory and independent sectors and the importance
of developing skills for working at the interface of these sectors;
and then offer core knowledge and skills, complimenting clinical
psychology and alcohol and drugs dependency modules.
Content: This course begins with a focus on the knowledge
and skills required to undertake networking, multi-disciplinary
work and inter-agency work. It draws on students' placement experience.
It then relates these to work in the mental health field. The
course covers a range of mental health perspectives and social
work methods. It focuses upon racism and psychiatry, user participation,
community care and multi disciplinary practice, mental health
and gender, working with carers, mental health social work with
older people, statutory mental health procedures and practice,
and services for mentally disordered offenders.
SOCS0079: Children & families
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aims of the course
are: to develop students' understanding of the interrelationships
between the statutory and independent sectors and the importance
of developing skills for working at the interface of these sectors;
to enable students to develop their knowledge and skills in relation
to work with children and families.
Content: This course begins with a focus on the knowledge
and skills required to undertaken networking, multi-disciplinary
work and inter-agency work. It draws on students' placement experience.
It then relates these to work with children and families, focusing
on such topics as: child observation; life-cycles; parent child
relationships; family support work; direct work with adults and
with children; attachment and loss; children and mental health;
children with special needs; child abuse; its impact and long-term
effects; assessment of risk; treatment methods; planning work;
contracts and written agreements; reviews and evaluations; children
and young people looked after; theories of residential care; impact
of the child care system.
Adoption and fostering; the role of the Guardian ad Litem; working
with families post-divorce/separation; working with stepfamilies;
youth justice and young offenders.
Throughout the sessions we ensure the voices of service users
are heard; that is, the views of parents and of children and young
people who have been in receipt of social work support and/or
intervention in their lives.
SOCS0081: Social work placement 2
Semester 2
Credits: 30
Topic: Social Work
Level: Level 2
Assessment: ES100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To enable students to develop
and then to demonstrate that they have acquired, integrated and
applied the knowledge, skills and values for social work practice.
Content: Development of the six core competencies: communicate
and engage; promote and enable; assess and plan; intervene and
provide services; work in organisations; develop professional
competence. Also demonstration that the value requirements have
been met; ie that they identify and question their own values
and prejudices and their implications for practice; respect and
value uniqueness and diversity and recognise and build on strengths;
promote people's rights to choice, privacy confidentiality and
protection whilst recognising and addressing the complexities
of competing rights and demands; assist people to increase control
of and improve the quality of their lives, while recognising that
control of behaviour will be required at times in order to protect
children and adults from harm; identify, analyse and take action
to counter discrimination, racism, disadvantage, inequality and
injustice, using strategies appropriate to role and function;
and practise in a manner that does not stigmatise or disadvantage
either individuals, groups or communities.
SOCS0082: Psychology 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim of this course
is to introduce students to basic concepts and current themes
and debates within psychology.
Content: Lectures will be broadly based on the question
- 'WHO AM I'? In order to answer this question, we will consider:
drives; hormones and the mind/body question; our animal history
and the influence of genetics; learning and socialisation; personality;
society and the individual; intelligence and creativity; family
relationships; social groups and social interaction attitudes;
values, cultural beliefs, gender and social identity; normality
and deviance; language and communication. These lectures will
provide the student with a grounding in the major domains within
psychology, thereby preparing them for a critical understanding
of the discipline as a whole.
SOCS0083: Psychology 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0082
Aims & Learning Objectives: Psychology II builds upon
psychology I both conceptually and in terms of course content.
This course will focus more heavily, however, on issues in biological
psychology, although prior contact with the biological sciences
will not be required. The purpose of this course is to provide
the student with a more critical understanding of the nature of
psychology as a discipline and its relation to neighbouring sciences
(i.e., biology & psychiatry).
Content: Lecture topics in this course will include; aggression
and violence; altruism and helping; social skills; stress and
emotions; fear, anxiety, depression, guilt and happiness; thinking
and reasoning; social perceptions; prejudice and attribution;
competition and co-operation; the autonomic nervous system; brain
specialisation; the eye and brain.
SOCS0084: Psychology laboratory 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 PR50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The laboratory practical
classes provide part of the training the student requires to develop
skills in the methods of scientific enquiry.
Content: The class will examine basic concepts used in
experimental psychology. We will then work through the design
of 4 experiments which students will carry out on their own. These
experiments will address a range of issues such as social psychology,
learning, eyewitness testimony, cognition, gender stereotyping
and personality.
SOCS0085: Psychology laboratory 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 PR50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: This course continues the
development of skills the methods of scientific enquiry.
Content: As well as gathering data for three taught experiments,
students will be required to design and carry out an experiment
of their own, employing many of the scientific research techniques
examined on the course. This independent research project provides
experience of work in teams.
SOCS0086: Psychology research project 1
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: CW100
Requisites: Co SOCS0087
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide the opportunity
for students to develop their understanding of research methods
and the analysis of data through participation in a project.
Content: Students will design and carry out a research
project over two semesters. At the end of semester 1, they will
be assessed on the research proposal. During the second semester
they will conduct and analyse the project, present their findings
to the class, and write up the project for assessment.
SOCS0087: Psychology research project 2
Semester 2
Credits: 3
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: RP100
Requisites: Co SOCS0086
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide the opportunity
for students to develop their understanding of research methods
and the analysis of data through participation in a project.
Content: Students will design and carry out a research
project over two semesters. At the end of semester 1, they will
be assessed on the research proposal. During the second semester
they will conduct and analyse the project, present their findings
to the class, and write up the project for assessment.
SOCS0088: Developmental psychology
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0082, Pre SOCS0083
Aims & Learning Objectives: To equip the student with
the basic principles of Developmental Psychology, including theory,
methodology and critiques. The student will have the groundwork
for being able to apply an understanding of human development
to other fields such as social work, educational
psychology or sociology of the family.
Content: This course concentrates on the progression from
infancy to adulthood, but also includes a life-span perspective.
How does the 'well-equipped stranger' infant become a competent
adult ? The course takes account of major theoretical perspectives
in human development, while paying particular attention to cognitive
and cultural approaches that reflect recent theoretical developments.
Cognitive, moral, social, linguistic and emotional development
are addressed. The concepts of 'stage', 'normal life crisis' and
life transitions are highlighted.
SOCS0089: Cognitive psychology
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0082, Pre SOCS0083
Aims & Learning Objectives: To equip the student with
the basic principles of Cognitive Psychology, including theory,
methodology and critiques. The student will be able to undertake
more advanced courses relating to Cognitive Psychology, for example
on Artificial Intelligence. The student will also be able to appreciate
the relationship of Cognitive Psychology to other fields of social
and cognitive science.
* Content: How do we process information
* How do we organise information
* How do we store, and retrieve, information
* How do we solve problems
We will consider three main approaches to research in this field;
experimental methods: model-building based on case studies, and
learning from brain damage.
SOCS0090: Social psychology
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0082, Pre SOCS0083
Aims & Learning Objectives: To equip students with
an understanding of social interaction and social processes in
dyads, group and communities.
Content: This course focuses on the individual in interaction
with others, in dyads, small groups and large groups. It examines
the reciprocal relationship between the individual and their community,
the rle of the individual as a group member, decision-making processes
in small and large groups, inter-group relations and crowd behaviour.
We will also examine how our impressions of others are formed
and what it is that distinguishes human sciences from all others.
SOCS0091: Clinical psychology
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 CW10 ES40
Requisites: Pre SOCS0082, Pre SOCS0083
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce the work of
clinical psychologists in the main areas of Adult Mental Health,
Learning Disabilities and work with older adults. At the end of
the course students should be able to set this work within the
context of organisational change within the NHS and to contrast
a psychological approach with other approaches, such as those
of psychiatry. Students will also have more extensive knowledge
of a specific psychotherapeutic technique.
Content: The basis of psychiatric diagnosis; introduction
to counselling and psychotherapy; depression; loss and bereavement;
anxiety; schizophrenia; learning disabilities; older adults; eating
disorders; the context of work and evaluating interventions.
SOCS0092: Psychology dissertation 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: CW100
Requisites: Co SOCS0093
Aims & Learning Objectives: To plan, execute and report
a piece of original empirical research in psychology.
Content:
SOCS0093: Psychology dissertation 2
Semester 2
Credits: 12
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: DS100
Requisites: Co SOCS0092
Aims & Learning Objectives: To plan, execute and report
a piece of original empirical research in psychology.
Content:
SOCS0094: Models of counselling & psychotherapy
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 CW10 ES40
Requisites: Pre SOCS0091
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce the main models
of counselling and psychotherapy used in clinical practice. At
the end of the course students should be able to set this work
within the context of the main issues and dilemmas involved in
working psychotherapeutically and to be familiar with some of
the clinical problems that people present to a therapist. Students
will also be able to formulate a clinical case.
Content: The context within which psychotherapists and
counsellors work; the main models of psychotherapy (i.e., psychodynamic,
behavioural, cognitive, systemic, humanistic and group); evaluating
interventions (outcome and process research); a postmodernist
approach to counselling and psychotherapy.
SOCS0095: History of psychology
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0082, Pre SOCS0083
Aims & Learning Objectives: To equip the student with
an understanding of the History of Psychology, including the development
of theory and methodology and critiques. The student will also
be able to appreciate the relationship of Psychology to the development
of other fields of social and cognitive science, and to the social
and historical context.
Content: This course considers the development of ideas
over time, and what function a historical perspective plays in
how we think about a field. It contextualises some key ideas in
psychology, showing what their roots were, and how they waxed
and waned, and why. By paying attention to specific people's intellectual
lives, we see how the development
of ideas is embedded in context and culture.
Students must have undertaken 2 units from Cognitive (SOCS0089),
Clinical (SOCS0091), Developmental (SOCS0088) and Social Psychology
(SOCS0090) as well as the other necessary pre-requisites (SOCS0082
& SOCS0083).
SOCS0096: Economic & political psychology
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0090
Aims & Learning Objectives: The theoretical basis of
this course will be on the psychological organisation of social,
political, economic and ethical beliefs, and their development
and aetiology. The implicit models of psychological processes
that underpin expert and common-sense conceptions of rationality
and ethics. The problematic nature of links between beliefs and
action. The tensions between 'discourse' and 'ideology' models
of explanation.
Content: Topics include: psychological models of ideology
in the organisation of beliefs; mainstream and emergent political-social
beliefs (feminism, Green politics); lay beliefs, e.g., about unemployment,
poverty, ethics; concepts of fairness and equity; moral development;
elite beliefs - what constitutes 'legitimation'? Political propaganda
and rhetoric. Social movements, social change and intergroup relations.
Students must have undertaken one other unit from Cognitive (SOCS0089),
Developmental (SOCS0088) and Clinical Psychology (SOCS0091), as
well as the necessary pre-requisite (SOCS0090).
SOCS0097: Health psychology
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0089, Pre SOCS0090
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce students to
concepts, theory, methods and applications of health psychology.
Students will be introduced to health psychology theory and methods
using the concepts of social psychology and psychobiology. They
will be expected to know about the range of methods appropriate
to the measuring process and evaluating outcomes in health psychology.
A major theme in the course questions what it means to be healthy
or well and to have a good quality of life in relation to health
care and investigates how this can be assessed. They will be in
a position to appreciate some of the key interventions designed
by health psychologists for use in clinical and non-clinical settings
with patients suffering from the major chronic disease groups,
e.g., cardiovascular, cancer and chronic pain conditions. The
reporting of symptoms and the management of acute illness in GP
consultations forms a central part of the course. Attention will
be paid to the range of settings in which health care is delivered
and the impact of hospitalisation and institutionalisation. The
seminars provide a range of topics connected with preventing disease
e.g., AIDS and on health promotion and education. Students will
be expected to be able to set the psychology of health within
a broad multidisciplinary context in the health and social sciences.
They will be encouraged to understand not only how health care
is appraised by patients/clients, but also the reciprocal role
of giving care on the part of health care workers. They should
be able to appraise the dynamics of organising psychological care
within the health care system.
SOCS0098: Controversies in cognition
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0089, Pre SOCS0088
Aims & Learning Objectives: To equip the student with
an understanding of current issues and controversies in psychology
Content: The course will address key issues in contemporary
psychology relating to cognition, language and models of mind.
These will include: problems of consciousness and the interface
of neuroscience, cognitive science and philosophy; connectionist
theory and its implications; the rise of evolutionary psychology;
debates about culture and human development.
SOCS0099: Mind & social being
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0089, Pre SOCS0090, Pre SOCS0095
Aims & Learning Objectives: Students should have a
conceptual understanding of the social construction of knowledge.
They should be able to analytically apply this understanding to
the central issues of psychological research: consciousness, identity,
physical and emotional being.
SOCS0100: Artificial intelligence 1: Minds, machines &
persons
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX40 ES40 OR20
Requisites: Pre SOCS0089, Pre SOCS0143
Aims & Learning Objectives: This course introduces
some recent research in the field of computer-based modelling
and simulation of human activities which require the intelligent
use of knowledge, otherwise known as Artificial Intelligence.
It will approach machine intelligence through two complementary
questions: could human intelligence be simulated, equalled or
even exceeded by machines? Can the machine-metaphor still help
us understand human cognitive and social processes?
Content: Machine-metaphors for human thinking and reasoning
now compete with evolutionary biology and neurology for influence
in both psychological and sociological approaches to human behaviour.
The course will provide historical background, will introduce
some of the main approaches and research projects in the field,
and will set out two main areas of debate: criticisms made by
AI researchers about rival approaches, and arguments of philosophers,
sociologists and psychologists about the attempt to simulate intelligence.
Students will become familiar with key authors and texts, and
will learn to evaluate claims about computer programs relating
to:
* their power, intelligence or other capabilities
* their influence upon psychological and social theory
* their continuing role in psychological and social research
* their influence on our notions of expertise, intelligence, creativity
and humanity
SOCS0101: Artificial intelligence 2: Simulating cognitive
& social processes
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Psychology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX40 ES30 PR30
Requisites: Pre SOCS0100
Aims & Learning Objectives: This unit allows students
to develop their understanding of issues introduced in Artificial
Intelligence 1 through a more detailed study of the development
and applications of some AI programs. Students will be required
to examine the literature relating to two influential developments
in AI. No programming or modelling experience is required for
this course.
Content: Students will be expected to understand the applications
of computer modelling in the social sciences (especially cognitive
psychology), the methodologies of at least two major research
projects, and the implications of computer simulation for social
and psychological theory. Students also undertake practical projects
in the form of experiments with computer models and simulation
programs, which are written up as project reports.
SOCS0102: British politics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide a grounding
in the study of the British political system, including wider
aspects of Britain's relations with the EU.
Content: The lectures will focus on a wide range of specific
topics central to beginning to study politics (parties, institutions,
etc.). Lectures will include: conservatism; social democracy;
voting behaviour; the media; electoral systems; parliament; executive;
pressure groups; Britain and the European Union.
SOCS0103: European politics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: This course is more thematic
than the British Politics course (SOCS0102), as it focuses on
the relative strengths of the twin forces of diversity, including
a revived nationalism and integration within Europe.
Content: The lectures will primarily adopt a 'political
culture' approach to national systems and to the question of whether
a wider European culture is emerging; lectures will include: the
political culture approach; how to explain the relative success
of the Greens in Germany?; the politics of race and immigration
in France; explaining political violence - the case of Northern
Ireland; the decline of extremism in Italy; Poland, Russia and
where does Europe end?; theories of European integration and nationalism;
towards a European political culture?
SOCS0104: Policy & politics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Ex SOCS0049
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an understanding
of the concepts and methods which can be employed in the analysis
of policy.
Content: The course is concerned with the analysis of the
policy process; from policy formulation to implementation. It
provides students with an understanding of what policy analysis
is and what its relation is to other key social science disciplines,
and particularly to political science. Following a conceptual
introduction the course then focuses on tools which can be used
to analyse and understand how policies are made (or not) and implemented
(or not). Seminars use the analysis of particular policy issues
to illuminate conceptual debates.
SOCS0105: History of political thought
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: For students to become
familiar with the theories of major political philosophers in
the Western political tradition between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Students should develop an understanding of the interpretive debates
that surround these theories.
Content: Amongst the philosophers studied are Machiavelli,
Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Marx. The elucidation of concepts
such as rights, liberty, revolution, democracy, and sovereignty
in the works of these political thinkers is crucial to understanding
modern political discourse.
SOCS0106: Ideologies
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: Students should develop
an understanding of the origins, development and content of the
main modern political ideologies, and of the debates relating
to the nature of ideology itself.
Content: The course covers socialism, conservatism, liberalism,
anarchism, fascism, feminism, ecologism, nationalism and fundamentalism.
SOCS0107: American politics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to provide students
with a knowledge and understanding of central arguments and debates
relating to the American political system, and to equip them to
contribute to these debates, citing relevant evidence.
Content: The course applies the concepts and theories of
political science to the United states of America, assessing the
role played by formal and informal political entities. Notions
of liberal democracy are assessed by reference to debates on the
role of political parties, interest groups, elites and political
culture on political outcomes in America. A number of case studies
consider the political significance from a European perspective
of questions of race and poverty, judicial review, and the American
foreign policy process.
SOCS0108: Totalitarian politics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The course is to provide
students with an understanding of the debates and literature relating
to totalitarianism, a controversial twentieth century political
idea, and form of government.
Content: The main historical focus of the course will be
on Soviet communism and Nazism, although other forms of communism
and fascism will be considered. Cases to be examined include the
Origins of Fascist ideology, theories of Fascist support, the
Fascist state, Soviet Marxism-Leninism, Stalinism, the Gorbachev
Revolution and the collapse of the USSR, and the Neo-Fascist Revival.
SOCS0109: International relations 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 ES20
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide students with
the necessary background on the main concepts, theories and methods
used to study international relations, and to introduce them to
the historical development of international relations theory.
Content: An historical survey of the main theories of international
relations and the main historical state-systems in which they
arose: the Greek-state system, the middle ages, the Renaissance
and the emergence of the modern state system.
SOCS0110: International relations 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 ES20
Requisites: Pre SOCS0109
Aims & Learning Objectives: To apply the main concepts,
theories and methods introduced in International Relations 1 to
the contemporary issues in international politics
Content: Topics include how International Relations has
changed since the end of the Cold War, the State, and non-state
actors, the balance of power, problems of diplomacy, international
organisation, war and international conflict, nationalism, religion
and international stability and international political economy.
SOCS0111: Justice & community
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: For students to develop
an understanding of the liberal-communitarian debate, a major
debate in contemporary Anglo-American political theory.
Content: The course looks at the egalitarian and libertarian
theories of justice developed by John Rawls and Robert Nozick,
the communitarian critique of these theories elucidated by Charles
Taylor, Michael Sandel, Michael Walzer and Alasdair MacIntyre,
and the issue of multiculturalism as it relates to these theories.
SOCS0112: Politics of developing countries 1: The politics
of democratic transition
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 ES20
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide students with
a background on the concepts and methods used to examine the politics
of developing countries, and to apply them to some of the problems
these countries face.
Content: The course examines the nature of developing countries,
the historical background of colonisation and imperialism, the
main theories (modernisation, dependency) that have been used
to explain the problems of developing countries, the nature of
the state in the Third World.
SOCS0113: Politics of developing countries 2: Religion &
politics
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX80 ES20
Requisites: Pre SOCS0112
Aims & Learning Objectives: The purpose of this course
is to examine some of the central problems confronting Third World
states by applying the concepts and ideas introduced in the first
term.
Content: Problems of democracy, the relationship between
political culture and stability, political legitimacy and authority,
the problems of military role, politics, ethnicity and religion.
SOCS0114: Politics project 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: OT100
Requisites: Co SOCS0115
Aims & Learning Objectives: To design and conduct a
research project on an approved politics topic. To gain experience
of undertaking primary research in politics. To develop a critical
awareness of methodological issues in political research.
Content: Students will choose a specific research topic
and design a research project.
SOCS0115: Politics project 2
Semester 2
Credits: 12
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 3
Assessment: OT100
Requisites: Co SOCS0114
Aims & Learning Objectives: To complete literature
review and any fieldwork research undertaken in Semester 1. To
prepare a research project on the student's chosen topic.
Content: Any collected data will be analysed. Students
will write up their 10,000 word research projects.
SOCS0116: Comparative politics of economic & industrial
policy
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: This unit examines the
relationships between political factors and economic development
in advanced industrial societies. Historical and comparative in
approach it concentrates on the 'golden age' of the post-war boom
and the more recent period of economic uncertainty. The aim is
both to analyse distinctive national patterns of policy-making
and to indicate the ways in which international political and
economic relations restrict national options. These issues will
be examined through cross-national comparison.
SOCS0117: Sociology of industrial societies 1: Classical theories
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Co SOCS0118
Aims & Learning Objectives: To understand the basic
sociological questions, theories and evidence of industrial society
Content: To answer the following questions: 1) How and
why is industrial society distinctive? 2) Does industrial society
have a logic of social differentiation, based on conflict , control,
or social order? Differences in work, authority and decision making,
kinship and gender, culture and community. The theories of Marx,
Durkheim and Weber.
SOCS0118: Sociology of industrial societies 2: Social change
& social control
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Co SOCS0117
Aims & Learning Objectives: To understand the changing
nature of industrial societies, modern and post-modern theories
and evidence of social stratification, organisation and control
Content: To answer the following questions: 1) Do industrial
societies display common trends, even superseding industrialism?
2) What are the main modes of social regulation and social control
in changing societies? Theories and evidence of post-industrialism,
convergence, managerialism, ethnic and gender forms of social
stratification in relation to social control and citizenship.
SOCS0119: Classical sociological theory
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX80 ES20
Requisites: Pre SOCS0118
Aims & Learning Objectives: Extension and consolidation
of classical sociological theory from Year 1.
Content: Major sociological theorists and main sociological
concepts
SOCS0120: Modern social theory
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0118
Aims & Learning Objectives: To acquaint students with
themes in modern social theory.
Content: Major modern sociological theorists and concepts
SOCS0121: Sociology of work & industry
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0118
Aims & Learning Objectives: This course examines sociological
approaches to the changing forms of work and work organisations.
Key issues include rationalisation and bureaucratisation; the
introduction and impact of new technologies; managerial and worker
strategies in the control of work; conflict and accommodation
at the workplace; corporate structure - ownership, control and
managerialism, implications for theories of class and gender relationships.
The course investigates these issues in three broad contexts:
the period of early industrialisation, the development of mass
production and 'Fordism' and the growth and consolidation of modern
industrial structures.
SOCS0122: Understanding industrial behaviour
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0118
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim of the course is
to give students a Sociological understanding of industrial
behaviour, showing the competing paradigms and theories that describe
industrial relationships, institutions and social structures.
Content: The course takes students through the main debates
in management and work organisation theory, looking at Taylorism
and Fordism. The Hawthorne Studies and the early Human Relations
School. This is followed by an analysis of the Socio-Technical
School and its prescriptions. Contingency Theory and Labour Process
Theory bring the debates up to the 1990s. During the course a
number of case study examples are used to illustrate the key points
of the differing schools.
SOCS0123: The sociology of crime & deviance
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 CW50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0118
Aims & Learning Objectives: Introduction to the main
sociological theories of crime and deviance. The course also provides
invaluable preparation for the Sociology of Criminal Justice Policy
and the necessary undergraduate training for all those who intend
to do postgraduate work in the areas of crime and/or social control.
Content: Divided into two parts the lectures and seminars
cover, in the first part, the history of the sociology of crime
from the late 19th century to the present day; in the second,
they deal with THREE major crime-related sociological issues:
class and crime, racism and crime; and gender and crime.
SOCS0124: Sociology of criminal justice policy
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0123
Aims & Learning Objectives: Current research and policy
issues in the criminal justice and penal systems. It will examine
trends in criminal policy; the politics of policing and police
accountability; the development of penal sanctions and the related
issues of alternatives to custodial measures; the efficacy and
equity, or lack of them, of the legal processes of the criminal
courts; the role of new technologies; the management of prisons
including the issues of privatisation and other issues concerning
the social context of penal policy.
SOCS0125: Languages of class
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The Unit will familiarise
students with the ways in which class has been understood and,
by developing a critical analysis of class theory, will enable
them to appreciate its relevance to understanding the nature of
social inequality.
Content: The Unit will examine how class has been understood
by looking at competing accounts developed within the functionalist,
Weberian and Marxian traditions. Critiques of these perspectives
are developed through the examination of substantive issues including
the nature and extent of social mobility, the analysis of property
and control, class consciousness, gender and class relations and
the class position of white collar and state employees. Students
will thereby appreciate the significance of class theory for the
understanding of social inequality.
SOCS0126: Theoretical issues in sociology 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0142, Pre SOCS0143
Aims & Learning Objectives: This module examines key
debates in contemporary social theory and their relationship to
classical sociology. These will include such issues as: the debate
over human agency versus social structure; power and knowledge;
language and social interaction; modernity and postmodernity;
industrialism and postindustrialism and globalisation.
SOCS0127: Theoretical issues in sociology 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: CW100
Requisites: Pre SOCS0126
Aims & Learning Objectives: Continuation and development
of themes from Theoretical Issues in Sociology I. This module
will focus on the application and evaluation of theoretical, epistemological,
ethical and political questions in the development and practice
of different methodological approaches. Issues considered will
include: positivist versus interpretavist traditions, grounded
theory, the role of the researcher, ethical issues, 'reflexivity',
sampling, generalisability and transferability of results, etc.
SOCS0128: Power & commitment in organisations
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0118, Pre SOCS0122
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim of the course is
to explore the themes of ideology, power and legitimacy in the
context of organisations. To look at different methodological
and empirical attempts to study these issues in enterprise and
organisational contexts. By the end of the course the student
will have familiarity with a number of ways of qualitatively apprehending
the operation and construction of legitimate forms of management.
Content: The course begins with the theoretical problem
of conceptualising power. Students are introduced to the Marxist
and Weberian approaches and to Lukes' philosophical attempt to
distinguish three different dimensions. The course then looks
at specific themes starting with Decision-making in enterprises
and boardroom activity. Other themes are Collective bargaining,
the creation of rules and industrial legality. Worker participation
and consultation. Managerial strategies to gain commitment, the
growth of corporate cultures, Japanisation and Human Resource
Management practices.
SOCS0129: Trade unions in industrial society
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0118
Aims & Learning Objectives: This course examines the
changing role of trade unions in industrial societies - their
relationship to the state and political parties, the significance
of ideology and different national traditions; the economic and
social causes and consequences of industrial conflict. Comparative
cross-national studies will focus on the post-war period, conflict
and maturation approaches and union responses to economic, social
and political adversity.
SOCS0130: Developing societies 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Co SOCS0131
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an understanding
of the major ways in which processes of development and change
have been analysed in the social sciences as the basis for critiquing
and evaluating policy initiatives towards growth and poverty alleviation
in the developing world. Although available to all social science
disciplines, it presents a primarily sociological perspective
on poor country development issues. Lectures will touch on economics
and politics, but not in a way that demands specialist knowledge.
Non-sociologists can be reassured that sociological terms will
be explained in context.
Content: An introduction to ways of thinking in sociology
and anthropology as they apply to an understanding of social change.
A critique of the major paradigms of modernisation and dependency.
Reference to the need to acknowledge 'agency' explanations in
the context of globalisation. A review of concepts of poverty,
given the significance of poverty alleviation in most people's
development agendas. An analysis of peasant production and exchange
systems, and the role of women within such systems, drawing on
illustrations from South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
An examination of rural values, beliefs and ideologies, especially
in relation to wider sets of institutions and markets. Significance
of technological developments in agriculture on social structures
and opportunities for commercial activity and labour markets.
SOCS0131: Developing societies 2
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Co SOCS0130
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an understanding
of the major ways in which processes of development and change
have been analysed in the social sciences as the basis for critiquing
and evaluating policy initiatives towards growth and poverty alleviation
in the developing world. Although available to all social science
disciplines, it presents a primarily sociological perspective
on poor country development issues. Lectures will touch on economics
and politics, but not in a way that demands specialist knowledge.
Non-sociologists can be reassured that sociological terms will
be explained in context.
Content: Following from Developing Societies I, the course
opens with a discussion of urbanisation in the developing world,
analysing growth trends and regional patterns, and reviewing ethnographical
studies on livelihood strategies among the urban poor. This leads
into a broader examination of the various forms of social and
political action through which inequality and poverty is challenged
(revolution, protest movements and social mobilisation in pursuit
of development objectives). State-society relations are considered
in the context of managing scarcity (involving concepts of labelling,
targeting and controlling access). Ethical issues, especially
in relation to the rights of minority cultures and local use of
natural resources, lead into broader questions about environmental
sustainability, managing the commons and common property management
as institutional alternatives to state regulation on the one hand,
and privatisation on the other. Such questions entail a discussion
about participation and social development as practice, drawing
upon the original theoretical notions of agency and actor-oriented
analysis as a conclusion to the course.
SOCS0132: Environmental policy & the countryside
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To develop a clear understanding
of the politics of the policy process as it applies to the countryside
and the environment
Content: Concern for the environment has become a radical
and innovative element in European politics. By focusing on developments
between the passage of the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act and
the publication of the 1995 Rural White Paper the Unit explains
the factors which have transformed the agenda of rural policy
making. Corporatist politics and competitive pluralist politics
are contrasted and special attention is given to the changing
balance of private and public rights and responsibilities in the
countryside.
SOCS0133: Sociology dissertation 1
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: CW100
Requisites: Co SOCS0134
Aims & Learning Objectives: Application of sociological
principles and methodology to piece of empirical research. Dissertation
modules I & 2 are linked units. These will be jointly assessed
at the end of the year by a final mark based on the assessment
of the completed dissertation of not more than 10,000 words. By
the end of Semester I students will be required to submit a progress
report and synopsis in order to progress to Dissertation 2. All
students will also by required to make a presentation of their
work to the workshops.
SOCS0134: Sociology dissertation 2
Semester 2
Credits: 12
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: DS100
Requisites: Co SOCS0133
Aims & Learning Objectives: See Dissertation I (SOCS0133).
SOCS0135: Core skills for social scientists: Information technology
methods
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Research Methods
Level: Level 1
Assessment: PR50 CW50
Requisites: Co SOCS0136, Co SOCS0137
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce students to
basic computing skills needed to support methods modules in Years
1 and 2.
Content: Through practical experience students will acquire
basic skills in word-processing, spreadsheets, simple databases,
file management, use of networked PCs and accessing remote sources
(WWWeb); competence will be assessed through practicals and through
successful use of skills in later methods modules.
SOCS0136: Core skills for social scientists: Social research
methods
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Research Methods
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Co SOCS0135
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce students to
classical, influential examples of investigations and research
in various social sciences, and to introduce the main methods
as well as philosophical and methodological issues raised by each.
Content: Classical and influential case studies in political,
sociological and psychological research; different types of methods;
classification, quantification and meaning; controversial studies
and their implications.
SOCS0137: Core skills for social scientists: Quantitative
methods 1
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Research Methods
Level: Level 1
Assessment: EX50 PR50
Requisites: Co SOCS0135
Aims & Learning Objectives: To introduce students to
the main assumptions, concepts and methods of descriptive and
inferential statistics, and to establish basic competence sufficient
for investigative, exploratory data analysis using a spreadsheet
and/or dedicated statistical software.
Content: Description, Classification, Quantification; Descriptive
Statistics; accessing and exploring a data set; Inferential Statistics;
Causation and Correlation; types of statistical test; learning
to select appropriate tests; designing an investigative project.
The emphasis is on practical competence.
SOCS0138: Quantitative methods 2
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Research Methods
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 PR50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0137, Co SOCS0139
Aims & Learning Objectives: To develop an understanding
of the application and use of a range of quantitative techniques
together with complementary/supporting research methods, and to
establish competence in conducting specialised tests, sufficient
data analysis using dedicated statistical software. Specific methods
and tests will vary according to the degree specialism being followed.
Content: Specific research methods and quantitative techniques,
specified according the degree specialism being followed.
SOCS0139: Research design & measurement
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Research Methods
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Co SOCS0138
Aims & Learning Objectives: To equip the student with
an appreciation of measurement and quantitative research methods.
Content: The course will introduce the student to a range
of measurement methods used within psychological research, for
example questionnaires and surveys. Students will develop their
own competencies as well as the ability to evaluate the relative
merits and applicability of different approaches.
SOCS0140: Quantitative methods 3
Semester 2
Credits: 3
Topic: Research Methods
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 PR50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0138, Pre SOCS0139
Aims & Learning Objectives: To equip the student with
skills and an appreciation of more advanced quantitative research
methods and their applications.
Content: The course will build on the statistical methods
introduced in Quantitative Methods 2 and extend their application.
More advanced methods will be introduced and applied to existing
datasets.
SOCS0141: Qualitative research methods in psychology
Semester 1
Credits: 3
Topic: Research Methods
Level: Level 2
Assessment: PR100
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To equip the student with
an appreciation of qualitative research methods and their applications
Content: The course will introduce the student to a range
of qualitative methods used within psychological research, including
interviewing, observation, analysis of discourse and text. Students
will develop competence through practical exercises.
SOCS0142: Qualitative social research methods
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Research Methods
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites: Pre SOCS0118
Aims & Learning Objectives: The evaluation of data
gathered by a range of qualitative research strategies. A critical
understanding and ability to assess these different approaches,
their strengths and weaknesses, as well as an appreciation of
the relationship between different research strategies and wider
theoretical and methodological issues. Main approaches considered
will include participant observation, ethnography, community studies,
experiments and historical and comparative methods. Special attention
will be paid to classical sociological studies in each area.
SOCS0143: Philosophy of science & social research
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Topic: Research Methods
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: To make clear the nature
of 'the social' and the implications this has for the conduct
of social research
Content: The Unit examines key issues in the philosophy
of the social sciences, focusing particularly on the social processes
by which knowledge is established and changed. Contrasting accounts
of the nature of both natural and social science are introduced
as a basis for the discussion of scientific and social structural
change and the significance of concepts such as rationality and
power for our attempts to make sense of social action.
SOCS0146: Public knowledge 3A: History, philosophy & sociology
of science
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Sociology
Level: Level 3
Assessment: ES100
Requisites: Co SOCS0147
Aims & Objectives: The course aims to enable students
to develop an informed and critical view of the nature of all
aspects of scientific activity and the problems arising from the
differences between scientific and popular or commonsense approaches
to problems.
Content: Topics Include: Models and Paradigms (Logical,
Computational, Cognitive and Societal ); Scientific, Expert and
Lay Knowledge; Science and Public Understanding; Public Acceptance
of Science and Technology. The course will be taught by seminars
and directed reading. All students read and discuss a number of
key authors in the seminars and will undertake a research project.
SOCS0147: Public knowledge 3B: History, philosophy & sociology
of science
Semester 2
Credits: 6
Level: Level 3
Assessment: EX40 RT60
Requisites: Co SOCS0146
Aims & Objectives: This unit is a continuation of SOCS0146.
It aims to enable students to develop an informed and critical
view of the nature of all aspects of scientific activity and the
problems arising from the differences between scientific and popular
or commonsense approaches to problems.
Content: Topics Include: Models and Paradigms (Logical,
Computational, Cognitive and Societal ); Scientific, Expert and
Lay Knowledge; Science and Public Understanding; Public Acceptance
of Science and Technology; Science and Public Policy; Science
and other Modes of Knowledge. The course will be taught by seminars
and directed reading. All students read and discuss a number of
key authors in the seminars, undertake a research project and
will evaluate one or more media presentations about a scientific
issue of their choice.
SOCS0149: Media politics
Semester 1
Credits: 6
Topic: Politics
Level: Level 2
Assessment: EX50 ES50
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim is to provide students
with a grounding in the theory and practice relating to the political
significance of the mass media, with reference to a number of
case studies.
Content: The course examines alternative theories of the
political role of the mass media, and applies these to case studies.
Topics include the Frankfurt School and mass culture, Marxist
and pluralist notions of the media, the 'propaganda model', notions
of public broadcasting, cinema and politics, the global role of
the media, and the media and war.
SOCS0153: Placement
Academic Year
Credits: 60
Level: Level 2
Assessment:
Requisites:
Aims & Learning Objectives: The placement period enables
the student to gain valuable practical experience. Please see
the Director of Studies or course tutor for details about individual
placements.
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Social Sciences Programme Catalogue
Programme / Unit Catalogue 1997/98