BA Politics and Sociology

Year 2

(Award available for year: Diploma of Higher Education)

Learning outcomes

Joint Honours BA Politics:
On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- Demonstrate in-depth grasp of one or more political systems
- Demonstrate in-depth grasp of one of more particular fields of political theory
- Demonstrate grasp of key approaches and methodologies used to analyse and research politics
- Use theories and concepts to critically appraise key aspects of political systems, theories and processes
- Present structured and well-researched evaluation of key debates within the discipline of political analysis
- Generate and support one’s own interpretations of key methodologies, theories and processes discussed within political analysis and cognate disciplines where appropriate
Joint Honours BA Sociology:
On completion of the year students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- demonstrate a broad understanding of the concepts, information, practical competencies and techniques which are standard features in sociology;
- apply generic and sociological qualities to standard situations outside the context in which they were originally studied;
- appreciate and employ the main methods of enquiry in Sociology and critically evaluate the appropriateness of different methods of enquiry;
- use a range of techniques to initiate and undertake the analysis of sociological data and information;
- adjust to the boundaries of Sociology as a discipline;
- effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms.

Transferable (key) skills

Joint Honours BA Politics:
Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- Abilities to critically evaluate theories and concepts; abilities to complete research-based work tasks to deadline; abilities to access and analyse information form written and on-line sources
Joint Honours BA Sociology:
Students will have had the opportunity to practise 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; - decision making.

Assessment

Joint Honours BA Politics:
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:
- Completing essay/exam work in which students will provide well-researched and in-depth evaluation of political systems, processes and theories/concepts
Joint Honours BA Sociology:
The learning context for this year/award will be simple if unpredictable and complex if predictable. The study will be structured within a framework of tasks that provide breadth of study and proficiency in the application of concepts and techniques.