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Learning Partnerships, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


AS00047: Social science 2

Click here for further information Credits: 12
Click here for further information Level: Foundation (FHEQ level 3)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 2 at Chichester College
Semester 2 at City of Bath College
Semester 2 at Greenwich Community College
Semester 2 at Wiltshire College
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 30%, EX 70%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take AS00046
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
This unit aims to bring the students to Year 1 entry standard of knowledge and skills in social science. The unit will draw upon aspects of the GCE A2 syllabuses and will achieve an equivalent depth and standard in these aspects.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
I. demonstrate an understanding of some structures of global politics.
II. Demonstrate an understanding of individual and intergroup theories of prejudice
III. Demonstrate an understanding of the different ways in which attempts have been made to reduce prejudice based on psychological theories
IV. Describe different methods of research used by sociologists
V. Describe the different theoretical claims about the role of research in sociology.
VI. Construct a research proposal
VII. Demonstrate the use of academic conventions.

Skills:
Key transferable skills, laboratory skills and theoretical problem solving.
T = taught, F = facilitated, A = assessed
Candidates should be able to:
* Recognise, recall and demonstrate understanding of specific sociological and physcological theory.(A)
* Select, organise and present relevant information clearly and logically, using appropriate specialist vocabulary.(T/F/A)
* Interpret data presented from a variety of studies, theories and perspectives. (T/A)
* Apply sociological and psychological principles and concepts in problem solving in studies, arguments and examples bringing together aspects from different curriculum areas in an integrated manner. (T/F/A)
* Analyse and evaluate material from a variety of sources communicating the results clearly and logically using the appropriate specialist vocabulary.(F/A)
* Interpret and critically analyse a wide variety of studies and arguments and present evaluations and conclusions. (F/A)
* Use IT resources to plan and produce written work . (F/A)
* Devise, plan and produce a research proposal. (F/A)

Content:
Key concepts such as sovereignty, the nation state, theories of global politics, globalisation, interdependence, transnational corporations, convergence, global/local.
Processes of globalisation and its impact on the states system. Factors driving globalisation and debates about the benefits and drawbacks of globalisation.
Definitions of terms prejudice and discrimination. Authoritarian Personality, Realistic Conflict and Social Identify theories and evaluation of their usefulness.
Strategies for reducing prejudice and their effectiveness
Define concepts such as quantitative and qualitative, primary and secondary
Identify and evaluate types of research methods (probably the social survey, questionnaires, interviews and observation techniques)
Identify at least two different theoretical explanations for the choice of research methods, usually Positivist and Interpretivist.
Identify and evaluate explanations that emphasise the Positivist view and the Interpretivist view.
Reference accurately within essay text. Write bibliography following Harvard conventions.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

AS00047 is Optional on the following programmes:

Learning Partnerships
  • UDAS-DFB10 : University of Bath International Foundation Year (Full-time at City of Bath College) - Year 1
  • UDAS-SFB01 : University of Bath International Foundation Year (Full-time at Chichester College) - Year 1
  • UDAS-TFB01 : University of Bath International Foundation Year (Full-time at Greenwich Community College) - Year 1
  • UDAS-WFB15 : University of Bath International Foundation Year (Full-time at Wiltshire College) - Year 1

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.