Students take four compulsory modules (those not in italics). Students then take TWO module options (in italics) in Semester 1 and TWO module options in Semester 2. Across the whole year at least 2 and a maximum of 3 options must be Criminology modules (c) and at least 1 option must be a Sociology option (s).
Semester 1
Module title Credits Contact hours
Sociological Theory: Criticism and Description 15 22
Doing Research by Asking Questions 15 22
Crime, Community Safety and Crime Prevention (c ) 15 22
Children and Violence (c ) 15 22
Sociology of Gender (s) 15 22
Sociology of Political Systems (s) 15 22
Poverty, Welfare and the State (s) 15 22
Migration and the Politics of Identity (s) 15 22
Sociology of the Arts (s) 15 22
Media, War and Terrorism (s) 15 22
Semester 2
Module title Credits Contact hours
Criminological Theories 15 22
Quantitative Methods 2
Crime, Power and Justice (c ) 15 22
Historical and Theoretical Perspectives on Punishment (c ) 15 22
Analysing Media (s) 15 22
Group Research Project (s) 15 22
Researching Bodies (s) 15 22
Sociology of Religion (s) 15 22
Sociology of Health and Illness (s) 15 22
Sociology of Work (s) 15 22
Please note that options shown here are those running in 2011-12 as a result of student choices and staffing availability. They do not represent all the options which were offered to students, or all that will be offered in future years.
35 ASSESSMENT DATES FOR LEVEL 2
The following table contains deadlines and expected dates for coursework return in each semester for 2011-12. The normal university expectation for marking turnaround is four weeks, but you will see that in some circumstances we aim to get work back a little faster than that.
Please note that the dates here denote normally expected time-scales but in some cases staff may turn around work quicker while in others circumstances may make slight delays unavoidable.
Unless otherwise stated (e.g. if the assessment is taking place in-class), hand-in deadlines are
Tuesdays at 4pm.
Semester 1
DEADLINE DATE MODULE ASSESSMENT RETURN/MARK
EXPECTED
Week 3 (18 Oct) Doing Research by Asking Qs Survey exercise Week 6 (08 Nov) Week 5 (01 Nov) Media, War & Terrorism Annotated bib Week 8 (22 Nov)
Week 6 (08 Nov) Sociology of the Arts Essay Week 9 (29 Nov)
Week 6 (in class) Children & Violence Presentation Week 10 (06 Dec)
Doing Research by Asking Qs Sampling ex Week 10 (06 Dec)
Sociology of Gender Essay plan Week 9 (29 Nov)
Migration & Politics of Id Ess plan/ann bib Week 9 (29 Nov) Week 7 (15 Nov)
Crime, Comm. Safety & CP Essay plan Week 9 (29 Nov)
Week 8 (22 Nov) Poverty, Welfare & State Essay plan Week 9 (29 Nov)
Week 11 (13 Dec) Media, War & Terrorism Essay Week 13 (17 Jan)
Xmas 1 (20 Dec) Doing Research by asking Qs Interview exercise Week 13 (17 Jan)
Sociology of Gender Essay After Exam Board
Poverty, Welfare & the State Essay After Exam Board
Migration & the Politics of Id Essay After Exam Board
Sociology of the Arts Essay After Exam Board
Week 12 (10 Jan)
Crime, Comm. Safety & CP Essay After Exam Board
Sociological Theory Examination After Exam Board
Sociology of Political Systems Examination After Exam Board Weeks 13-14 (16-28
Jan)
Semester 2
DEADLINE DATE MODULE ASSESSMENT RETURN/MARK
EXPECTED
Week 6 (13 Mar) Quantitative Methods Exercise Week 9 (01 May)
Week 7 (20 Mar) Crime, Power & Justice Essay Plan Week 8 (27 Mar)
Criminological Theories Essay Week 9 (01 May)
Week 8 (27 Mar)
Researching Bodies Portfolio Week 9 (01 May)
Sociology of Health & Illness Essay Week 12 (22 May)
Week 9 (01 May)
H&T Perspectives on Punishment Essay Week 12 (22 May)
Quantitative Methods Exercise After Exam Board
Analysing Media Portfolio After Exam Board
Week 11 (15 May)
Sociology of Work Portfolio After Exam Board
Week 11 (In Class) Group Research Project Presentation After Exam Board
Group Research Project Project Diary After Exam Board
Researching Bodies Essay After Exam Board
Week 12 (22 May)
Crime, Power & Justice Essay After Exam Board
Criminological Theories Examination After Exam Board
Sociology of Religion Examination After Exam Board
Sociology of Health & Illness Examination After Exam Board
Sociology of Work Examination After Exam Board
Weeks 13-15 (28 May – 15 June)
H&T Perspectives on Punishment Examination After Exam Board
Examinations taking place during 2011/12
Students should be aware that examinations are currently held at the end of each Semester and during the summer vacation for Late Summer assessments. There is a two week session at the end of January (Semester weeks 13 and 14, including Saturday 21 January 2012) and a three week session during May/June (End of week 12, and weeks 13, 14 and 15 including Saturday 26 May, 2 and 9 June ). Late Summer assessment will take place between Monday 20 August and Friday 31 August 2012.
Exam sessions will be scheduled between 9:00am and 9:00pm, Monday to Saturday. Whilst we try to avoid students sitting two exams per day, limitations on space available for examinations means some students may find they are scheduled to sit more than one exam per day.
Students must bring their student registration card (campus card) to every examination - without this form of identification students may be refused permission to sit the exam. Students will be allocated a
37 SEMESTER 1: MODULE OUTLINES Module Code: SOC2027
Module Title: Sociological Theory: Criticism and Description Module Provider: Sociology
Level: 2
Number of Credits: 15
Module Contact Hours: 22
Module Co-ordinator: Geoff Cooper
Module Availability
Semester 1
Unit(s) of Assessment Weighting Towards Module
Mark( %) Formative exercise: in-class quiz with an element of peer
assessment designed to help with exam preparation
0
One seen 2 hour examination 100
Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module.
Module Overview
This module builds upon the knowledge that students have developed at level 1, and focuses on some key issues within sociological theory. It examines differences between forms of sociological
explanation, in relation to such topics as the nature of social organisation, the workings of power, and modes of everyday behaviour, and considers the relationship between overtly critical and ostensibly descriptive forms of sociological theory.
Pre-requisite/Co-requisites
N/A
Module Aims
• Cover some key paradigms within sociological theory • Consider the relevance today of these paradigms
• Compare and evaluate critical and descriptive forms of theory
Learning Outcomes
Having completed this module the student should:
• Have an understanding of some key theoretical traditions within sociology, and the points of contention between them
• Have a sense of the relevance today of 19th and 20th Century sociological theory • Be able to use sociological concepts and theories to question widely held cultural
assumptions and critically assess aspects of social organisation
• Appreciate the different ways in which sociological thought can illuminate everyday life • Have developed skills in writing, in exam conditions, on pre-prepared topics
Module Content
• The critical tradition of thought exemplified by Marxism
• The critique of modernity within the work of Weber, Simmel and the Frankfurt School • The sociology of everyday life
Methods of Teaching/Learning
11 lectures and 11 seminars
Weekly reading and seminar preparation
Formative exercise to prepare students for the exam
Selected Texts/Journals
Callinicos, A (2007) Social Theory: a historical introduction (2nd edn), Polity Dodd, N (1999) Social Theory and Modernity, Polity
Jacobsen, M (ed) (2009) Encountering the Everyday, Palgrave
Lemert, C and Branaman A (eds) (1997) The Goffman Reader, Blackwell Ritzer, G (2007) Sociological Theory (7th edn), McGraw Hill
Stones, R (ed) (2008) Key Sociological Thinkers, 2nd edn, Palgrave
39 Module Code: SOC2034
Module Title: Doing Research By Asking Questions (2010/11 ONLY) Module Provider: Sociology
Level: 2
Number of Credits: 15
Module Contact Hours: 22
Module Co-ordinator: Rachel Cohen
Module Availability
Semester 1
Unit(s) of Assessment Weighting Towards Module
Mark (%)
Online survey construction exercise (750 words) 15
Sampling exercise (750 words) 15
Qualitative Interviews and Analysis Report (2500 words) 70
Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module.
Module Overview
This course explores the practice and analysis of qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research. In particular the course explores the ways in which we can find out about the world, social behaviour, and audience responses through asking questions, be that in qualitative interviews or standardised surveys. The course gives students hands-on experience with interviewing, analysis, sampling and survey development.
Pre-requisite/Co-requisites
N/A
Module Aims
• To provide an overview of the different (qualitative and quantitative) methods that are used within sociology, media studies and criminology, especially methods that involve asking participants questions about what they think or believe or what they are doing or have done • To introduce students to the practical and epistemological problems involved in conducting
qualitative interviews and conducting surveys
• To provide students with experience in conducting research and writing about the research process
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module students should:
• Understand key methodological issues in researching society, the media or criminology • Become familiar with designing and conducting research around a research question
• Be able to carry out collection of primary qualitative data, analyse the data and write a report on the findings
• Be able to evaluate the benefits of different sampling strategies • Be able to design a (brief) online questionnaire.
• Develop a reflexive and self-critical perspective to the research process
• Appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of different methods for different research questions
Module Content
Topics covered include:
• Ethical and power issues in conducting fieldwork • Finding participants and constructing a sample • Qualitative interviewing process and focus groups • Designing and fielding a survey
• Dealing with survey bias, error and non-response • Analyzing interview data
Methods of Teaching/Learning
11 lectures and 11 classes Weekly reading
Practical exercises
Selected Texts/Journals
Buckingham, A. and Saunders, P. (2004) The Survey Methods Workbook. Cambridge: Polity. De Vaus, D.A. (2002) in Surveys in Social Research, 5th Edition. London: UCL Press. Gilbert N. (ed) (2008) Researching Social Life 3rd Edition. London: Sage
Gunter, B. (2000) Media Research Methods: measuring audiences, reactions and impact. Sage. King, N. and Horrocks, C. (2010) Interviews in Qualitative Research London: Sage
Mason, J. (2002) Qualitative Researching 2nd Edition. London: Sage
41 Module Code: SOC2061
Module Title: Crime, Community Safety and Crime Prevention Module Provider: Sociology
Level: 2
Number of Credits: 15
Module Contact Hours: 22
Module Co-ordinator: Karen Bullock
Module Availability
Semester 1
Unit(s) of Assessment Weighting Towards Module
Mark( %)
3000 word essay 90
300 word essay plan 10
Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module.
Module Overview
Crime prevention and community safety are areas of criminological and policy interest. This module explores the theory and practice of community safety and crime prevention. We will consider policy and practice in relation to key areas of crime reduction including the prevention of youth crime, the utility of CCTV, knowledge-based policing, the significance of victims and repeat victimisation, crime mapping and GIS. It will also examine issues to do with evaluating effectiveness of crime prevention initiatives.
Pre-requisite/Co-requisites
N/A
Module Aims
This module aims to introduce students to:
• Models of community safety and crime prevention • The techniques developed to prevent crime
• The impact of crime prevention policy and practice
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
• Understand theoretical perspectives and policy debates in policing and crime prevention in contemporary societies
• Consider the impact of various crime prevention interventions on crime problems • Critically assess evaluations of crime prevention initiatives
Module Content
• Concepts of community and crime prevention • Situational crime prevention
• Crime, the environment and design
• The geography of crime, crime mapping and GIS
• CCTV
• Youth crime diversion and prevention
• Evidence and knowledge-based crime prevention • Victims and repeat victimisation
• Evaluation and the assessment of impact
Methods of Teaching/Learning
11 x 2 hour sessions, each integrating lecture material with interactive discussions and exercises Weekly reading and seminar preparation
Selected Texts/Journals
Tilley, N. (2005) (ed) The Handbook of Crime Prevention and Community Safety. Cullompton: Willan
Newburn T. (2009) (ed) Key Readings in Criminology. Cullompton: Willan Tilley, N. (2009) Crime Prevention. Cullompton: Willan
43 Module Code: SOC2062
Module Title: Children and Violence Module Provider: Sociology
Level: 2
Number of Credits: 15
Module Contact Hours: 22
Module Co-ordinator: Jo Moran-Ellis
Module Availability
Semester 1
Unit(s) of Assessment Weighting Towards Module
Mark( %)
Group Presentation 50
1 hour exam 50
Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module.
Module Overview
This module looks at two sides of the relationship between children and violence. Firstly the module examines the situation of children who are subject to abuse, considering them as victims/survivors of violence which is perpetrated within relationships of trust, and/or inter-generational relationships. The module then considers the ways in which children are positioned as ‘dangerous’ to society in terms of perpetrating violent crimes, or being seen to have the potential to be so. Bringing together these two perspectives the module develops a critical analysis of two (contradictory) subject positions which have come to strongly characterise the idea of childhood in modernity: children ‘in danger’ and ‘dangerous’ children.
Pre-requisite/Co-requisites
N/A
Module Aims
Specific purposes of module (approx 3 bullet points)
To develop a critical understanding of the concept of child abuse from a sociological perspective To examine how the idea of ‘dangerous children’ draws on and reflects wider social concerns To explore the implications of adult perceptions of children as ‘victims’ and as ‘perpetrators’ for policy and cultural responses to children
Learning Outcomes
• Be able to critically analyse the significance of definitions of abuse for policy and cultural responses to children subject to violence
• Be able to evaluate and analyse policy and cultural responses to violence involving children • Have a thorough familiarity with contemporary issues in sociological thinking about violence
in children’s lives
• Comprehend the socio-historic dimensions of the subject positions of ‘in danger’ and ‘dangerous’ that characterise contemporary adult constructions of childhood
• Be familiar with the empirical work on children’s own experiences and views on violence in their lives to critically develop challenges to dominant framings of children as ‘victims’ and ‘perpetrators’.
Module Content
The module will include the following:
• history of children in danger/dangerous children • children as subjects of violence
• definitions and imaginings of abuse; responses of adults and society • children and danger in virtual environments
• responses of society to children as perpetrators of violence
• renderings of child related violence: media, law, discourse, popular culture, and fictional literature
Methods of Teaching/Learning
11 x 2 hour sessions (lecture and seminar combination)
The group presentations will include formative elements through comments on draft of presentation
Selected Texts/Journals
45 Module Code: SOC2036
Module Title: Sociology of Gender Module Provider: Sociology
Level: 2
Number of Credits: 15
Module Contact Hours: 22
Module Co-ordinator: Lorraine Allibone
Module Availability
Semester 1
Unit(s) of Assessment Weighting Towards Module
Mark( %)
Essay plan 10
3000 word essay 90
Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module.
Module Overview
This module explores cultural and social divisions for males and females in contemporary society and challenges taken for granted attributions of gender characteristics in relation to concrete social practices. It also examines historical processes of social change and development for men and women.
Pre-requisite/Co-requisites
N/A
Module Aims
• To evaluate different theoretical perspectives with respect to gender divisions in society • To explore the social organisation of gender relations in key institutions
• To recognise issues relating to gender, social control, power and resistance
Learning Outcomes
Having completed this module, students should be able to:
• Demonstrate critical engagement with a wide range of theoretical perspectives concerning the social construction of gender
• Explain how gender concerns interact with other social divisions
• Evaluate the sociological impact of both theoretical and empirical representations of gender in contemporary contexts
Module Content
• Conceptualising femininity and masculinity • Feminist theory
• Theorising masculinity
• Gender and other social divisions
• Social organisation of gender: childhood, education, the family and employment • Formal and informal political representations of women and men
Methods of Teaching/Learning
11 x 2 hour sessions consisting of both lecture and seminar discussion Weekly reading and seminar preparation
Selected Texts/Journals
Abbott, P, Wallace, C and Tyler, M (2005) An Introduction to Sociology: Feminist Perspectives, Routledge.
Butler, J (2005) Gender Troubles. Routledge Classics.
Charles, N (2002) Gender in Modern Britain, Open University Press Connell, R. W (2005) Masculinities, Polity Press
Mac an Ghaill, M (ed.) (1996) Understanding Masculinities, Open University Press Holmes, M (2008) Gender and Everyday Life, Routledge.
47 Module Code: SOC2041
Module Title: Sociology of Political Systems Module Provider: Sociology
Level: 2
Number of Credits: 15
Module Contact Hours: 22
Module Co-ordinator: Michael Williams
Module Availability
Semester 1
Unit(s) of Assessment Weighting Towards Module
Mark( %) Formative exercise: in-class quiz with an element of peer
assessment designed to help with exam preparation
0
2 hour exam 100
Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module.
Module Overview
This module focuses on relations between state and society in a variety of settings. It begins by looking at sociological interpretations of political systems since the Enlightenment thinkers of the 18th century, including classic thinkers such as Marx, Tocqueville and Weber. It goes on to look at the development of political systems in Europe, the United States and the Muslim world, including the role of nationalism, revolution and empire.
Pre-requisite/Co-requisites
N/A
Module Aims
• To provide an understanding of sociological interpretations of relations between state and society in a variety of settings
• To provide an understanding of the development of political systems in Europe, the United States and the Muslim World
• To provide an understanding of different interpretations of liberal democracy and the totalitarian challenges from Nazism and Stalinism, and an appreciation of other key concepts in political sociology
Learning Outcomes
Students completing this module should be able to:
• Demonstrate an understanding of sociological interpretations of relations between state and society in a variety of settings
• Demonstrate an understanding of the development of political systems in Europe, the United States and the Muslim World
• Demonstrate an understanding of different interpretations of liberal democracy and the totalitarian challenges from Nazism and Stalinism, and an appreciation of other key concepts in political sociology
• Draw on the range of material covered in the module in order to construct arguments and explanations in an essay and under exam conditions
Module Content
• Origins of political sociology and classical thinkers (Marx, Tocqueville, Weber and the elite theorists)
• Sociological interpretations of the development of the state in Europe, America and the Muslim world
• Sociological theories of liberal democracy and Nazi and Soviet totalitarianism • Key concepts in political sociology – nations and nationalism revolution and empire
Methods of Teaching/Learning
11 lectures and 11 seminars
Weekly reading and seminar preparation Short formative assignment
Selected Texts/Journals
Aron, R (1968, 1970) Main Currents in Sociological Thought 1 & 2, Penguin
Darwin, J (2008) After Tamerlane: The Rise and Fall of Global Empires, 1400-2000, Penguin Dunleavy, P & O’Leary, B (1987) Theories of the State: The Politics of Liberal Democracy, Macmillan
Gellately, R (2008) Lenin, Stalin, and Hitler: The Age of Social Catastrophe, Vintage Gellner, E (1983) Muslim Society, Cambridge University Press
Gill, G (2003) The Nature and Development of the Modern State, Palgrave Moore, B (1969) Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy, Penguin Overy, R (2005) The Dictators: Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Russia, Penguin
49 Module Code: SOC2043
Module Title: Poverty, Welfare and the State Module Provider: Sociology
Level: 2
Number of Credits: 15
Module Contact Hours: 22
Module Co-ordinator: Karen Bullock
Module Availability
Semester 1
Unit(s) of Assessment Weighting Towards Module
Mark (%)
300 word essay plan 10
3000 essay 90
Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module.
Module Overview
This module provides an introduction to the study of social policy. The study of social policy focuses on social problems such as poverty, homelessness, domestic violence and unemployment and on the operation of publicly provided welfare services. We will examine how social problems are defined and policies formulated in response to them. We consider the relative position of social classes, generations, ethnicities, and men and women in respect to poverty, inequality and welfare. We explore the changing boundaries between the roles of the state, the market, the family and the voluntary sector in the mixed economy of welfare.
Pre-requisite/Co-requisites
N/A
Module Aims
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of:
• The key issues and perspectives relevant to the study of social policy • The role and nature of the central welfare institutions in society • Comparative and historical patterns in social policy
Learning Outcomes
Students on the module will able to: