BA Politics and Sociology

Year 1

(Award available for year: Certificate of Higher Educ)

Learning outcomes

BA Joint Honours Politics:
On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- demonstrate grasp of basic concepts and theories relevant to understanding and explaining political processes
- demonstrate grasp of the basic fundamentals of political systems
- critically appraise key aspects of political systems and political concepts
- present structured arguments which develop sustained evaluation of key debates concerning political processes
- generate and support one’s own interpretation of political events or processes
- access and utilise key readings within the discipline of political analysis and cognate disciplines where appropriate
BA Joint Honours Sociology:
On completion of the year students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- demonstrate a familiarity with the basic concepts, information, practical competencies and techniques of Sociology;
- use basic generic and subject specific intellectual qualities i.e.
> be able to communicate the results of their work;
> present a structured and coherent sociological argument;
> be able to interpret and evaluate the underlying concepts and principles of Sociology;
- demonstrate an ability to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches within the discipline of Sociology;
- appreciate their strengths and weaknesses as learners;
- demonstrate an awareness of the boundaries between Sociology and other disciplines.

Transferable (key) skills

BA Joint Honours Politics:
Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- accessing library materials; accessing on-line materials; ability to construct and defend written arguments; ability to construct and defend orally presented arguments; ability to evaluate competing interpretations
- ability to organise time; to submit completed work to deadline; to work with others in completing set goals
BA Joint Honours Sociology:
Students will have had the opportunity to acquire as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment related to the subject area(s) studied;
- skills necessary for the exercising of personal responsibility.

Assessment

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:
BA Joint Honours Politics:
- completing essay/exam work in which students will evaluate aspects of political systems, processes and theories/concepts
- preparing oral presentations which critically assess key political issues;
BA Joint Honours Sociology:
- demonstrating the knowledge and application of standard concepts, information and techniques relevant to the discipline;
- work that covers a restricted area of the discipline;
- demonstrating emerging abilities, skills and competencies.