BSc (Hons) Social Sciences

Year 1

Core modules

• British Economic and Social History (HIGH1043)

  Over the course of the twentieth century, British social conditions and expectations improved significantly, as did economic performance. War and work, political and social movements, and technological and cultural change have all played their part in creating the Britain of today. This module examines these changes and the way in which they have been shaped by Britain's relationship with foreign powers.

• The Research Process in The Social Sciences (HIGH1047)

  In this module students will examine the key stages in the process of conducting research, including information management and retrieval skills, ICT skills, methodological, technical, political and ethical issues facing researchers. Students will be introduced to the key techniques of descriptive statistics.

• Criminology and the Problem of Crime (HIGH1066)

  This module introduces students to the subject of criminology. It emphasises criminology's multidisciplinarity and the different perspectives, methods and sources of information that it draws upon in developing theories about the different causes and problematisations of crime and deviance.

• Social Psychology: Theory and Practice (HIGH1067)

  This module discusses social psychology as the scientific study of human behaviour, the way behaviour is influenced by others and the social or work context it takes place in. It will provide an introduction to the schools of thought and the central concepts of social psychology including; sense of self, attitudes, social compliance, conformity, obedience to authority, group performance and conflict, interpersonal attraction pro and antisocial behaviour. Additionally, research theories supporting social psychology will be discussed.

• Ideas in Society (HIGH1069)

  The aim of this module is to identify various ideas that have been influential in the history of modern industrial society, considering their sociological basis, the historical importance, the way in which ideas change over the course of history, and the ways in which ideas spread and means by which they were suppressed.

• Imagining British Society: Contemporary Issues (HSS106)

Year 2

Core modules

• Research Methods in the Social Sciences (HIGH2037)

  This module extends and develops the key academic skills covered in the basic research methods elements from year one; it seeks to facilitate both applied research at the intermediate undergraduate level, and subsequently, the writing of a substantial honour project/dissertations.

• Criminal Justice & Penology (HIGH2053)

• Social Identities in Modern Societies (HIGH2054)

• Work Based Learning (HIGH2065)

  This module allows students to experience a short work placement within an organisational setting. The focus is to allow students to carry out work activities using key skills developed both within this and other modules, and to contextualise their experiences within the workplace. To develop an understanding of the links between theory and practice.

• Institutions and Governance of Globalisation (HIGH2066)

  This module examines the process of globalisation through a historical lens, particularly the practice of the key institutions of international governance will be considered. It examines the interrelationship between different international and regional institutions and regimes and the role of non-state transnational actors in international governance.

• Social Policy and Social Justice (HSS206)

Final year

Core modules

• Contemporary Social Issues: Policing the Private Sphere (HIGH3026)

  This module looks at areas of policy and practice that effect families and family members. Those areas include substance use, including both global, European and local dimensions, the nature of and response to intra-familial violence and abuse and health-related problems within households.

• Psychology and Society (HIGH3036)

  This module draws together psychological and sociological themes and has two aims: to look at contemporary social issues from a psychological perspective, and to examine the nature, assumptions and practices of key areas of applied social psychology. The module is intended to showcase the scope of professional psychology and to demonstrate how the discipline applies academic knowledge and experience to real-world issues and problems.

• Psychology of Performance (HIGH3038)

  This module examines the theories of performance through the psychological prisms of motivation; control; the theory of reasoned action & planned behaviour and influence, for example, self-efficacy. Particular focus will be given to the application of theory to live contexts that show how scientific learning and understanding can deliver or influence change.

• Social Science Dissertation (SSJ3001)

  This module provides students with the opportunity to design and implement their own research project, working independently but under the supervision of an academic staff member.

• Work-Based Action Research (SSJ3002)

  This module requires students to negotiate and conduct a workplace-based action research project on a specific policy or practice issue for host (client) organisation.