2018/19 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
SLSP0111 Researching and Studying the Social Sciences IFY
40 creditsClass Size: 80
Module manager: Richard Tavernier
Email: r.tavernier@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2018/19
Pre-requisite qualifications
GCSE Maths and English Grade C or above or equivalent qualificationModule replaces
SLSP0031 Study Skills and Reflective LearningSLSP0091 Introduction to Law and CriminologySLSP0060 Introduction to PoliticsThis module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module is designed to enable students to benefit from intense study skills over a 2 week periods which then moves to less intensity from week 3 onwards. This is because many non-traditional students will have not written a formal essay before or for a long time, hence, lack essay writing and academic skills. The module is intended to encourage students to understand the purpose of study skills and apply study skills to the social sciences.Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be able to:- Recognise, understand and develop the skills necessary to undertake self directed undergraduate study with appropriate guidance
- Demonstrate an ability to carry-out a literature search for criminological and political information
- Understand the importance of time and task management
- Demonstrate basic academic and essay writing skills including referencing conventions
- Gain knowledge of examination preparation; and presentation and communication skills
- Apply good study skills in critical thinking, reading and writing to the social sciences
- Develop and present a range of arguments about criminological and political issues
- Employ a range of responses to problem solving related to issues within criminal justice and politics, and communicate the results accurately
- Describe the main theoretical approaches to understanding law, crime and politics
- Define and comprehend differing explanations of ‘crime and criminal justice';
- Understand and describe issues relevant to political behaviour on a national and international level.
Learning outcomes
This module will introduce students to the study skills required for study at undergraduate level. The module provides students with the opportunity to gain and practice skills in time management, the collection and evaluation of information, effective reading, note taking, essay writing, preparation for examinations and giving oral presentations. The module is intended to enable students to develop these skills in order to eventually meet level 1 requirements. A core aim of the module is how it is designed to encourage students to apply study skills to the social sciences through an integrated practical and theoretical approach across the module. Students will be able to grasp the relevancy of study skills through practically applying them to the areas of law, crime and politics. Students will gain an understanding of searching for information in these areas, developing structured and reasoned lines of argument and judgements about what crime and politics are, how they are constructed and what, as a society, we have decided to do about crime and the political system. Students will look at historical and contemporary basic theories and concepts within the criminal justice and political system both nationally and internationally; and be able to demonstrate academic writing and presentation skills.
Syllabus
Strand 1: Research and Study Skills for the Social Sciences
1. Introduction to research and study skills: what is social science? What is a degree? What skills do you need? (week 1)
2. Enhancing personal development: university practices; procedures; teaching and learning aids. (week 1)
3. Finding sources and research skills: visit to the library (week 1)
4. Essay planning and preparation: essay questions, literature reviews, plans, drafts and final piece (week 1)
5. Referencing and plagiarism: the 'do's and 'don'ts' . (week 2)
6. Writing essays: reading and taking notes (week 2)
7. Writing and editing essays: from draft to polished essays (week 2)
8. Moving from description to analysis: building an argument (week 2)
9. Group work and presentation skills (week 3)
10. Preparing for exams (week 4)
11. Researching sitting exams (week 5)
12. Choosing degrees and careers (week 6)
13. Presentations (week 7)
14. Presentations (week 8)
Strand 2: Applying Research and Study Skills to the Social Sciences
15. Sociology of crime: what is crime and who are the criminals? (week 9)
16. Figuring out crime: crime data and measuring crime
17. Young people and crime (week 10)
18. Tutorials (week 11)
19. The Criminal Justice System: Policing (week 1)
20. The Criminal Justice System: The Courts (week 2)
21. Researching Crime (week 3)
22. The Criminal Justice System: Prisons and Punishment (week 4)
23. Framing Politics (week 5)
24. Political Parties, Neo Liberalism and resistance (week 6)
25. The Extreme Right in Europe and Britain (week 7)
26. An introduction to the European Union and the European Parliament (week 8)
27. Human Rights and the European Human Rights Act (week 9)
28. Globalisation and recap (week 10)
29. Tutorials (week 11)
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lectures | 25 | 1.00 | 25.00 |
| Seminar | 25 | 2.00 | 50.00 |
| Private study hours | 325.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 75.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400.00 | ||
Private study
200 hours preparation for lectures and seminars125 hours preparation for assessment
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Essays, presentations, attendance, participation in tutorials.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1,000 word essay research task | 25.00 |
| Essay | 1,500 word essay | 25.00 |
| Essay | 1,500 word essay | 25.00 |
| Presentation | Verbal group presentation | 25.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 21/12/2018
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD