Programme Specification Title of programme:

PG Diploma/MSc (Social Sciences) Sociology and Social Research

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. Awarding Institution Teaching Institution Accreditation details Final award Name of award UCAS code QAA Subject Benchmark or other external reference Programme Leader Date specification was written University of Southampton Highfield Campus Diploma/MSc (Social Sciences) Sociology and Social Research ESRC Sociology postgraduate research training guidelines Dr Paul Sweetman 30 January 2009 (SJHa)

Educational Aims of the Programme

Introductory statement The aims of the programme are to provide: An in-depth understanding of classical themes and contemporary debates within the discipline of sociology and of their application in the analysis of selected social issues; A knowledge of key issues within the philosophy of social sciences and an ability to apply these in the design and practice of social research; A knowledge of the principal methods of qualitative research and an understanding of their application in different contexts; A knowledge of techniques of data analysis utilised within the social sciences and their application; The ability to design and conduct independent research within the field of sociology, utilising appropriate research methodologies, and grounded within an understanding of the process of research management and ethical and legal issues associated with the conduct of social research; The capacity to present ideas, arguments and research findings through different means of communication.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this programme you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: A1 A range of sociological theories and their implications for the design and conduct of research; A2 Patterns of social diversity and division within society, processes of social change, and the relationship between the individual and society; A3 A range of epistemological and ontological issues relevant to the design and conduct of research; A4 The role, value and limitations of comparative research in sociology; A5 Advanced techniques of data analysis and their application in sociological enquiry; A6 The use of a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies and data sources in the conduct social research

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Teaching and Learning Methods

You will acquire your core knowledge of Sociology though SOCI6035 Understanding Modernity, SOCI6043 Understanding Social Change, SOCI6036/7/9 Project Module and your Dissertation. The first two of these modules you will be provided with a full reading list, organized on the basis of 12 individual seminars. You will be expected to undertake individual reading and prepare fully for each session. Learning will occur through analysis and discussion of the readings during weekly seminars. You will also be expected to prepare presentations based on your readings, to summarise and analyse key concepts, theories and/or issues. Tutors will advise you on the planning of your assessments (see below) and provide detailed feedback on assessments. SOCI6036/7/9 Project Module operates using similar teaching and learning methods, although in this case you are given more independence to build their in-depth expertise of particular fields and to develop your own research agendas related to these fields. For this module, you will work with a tutor who has particular research expertise in your field, and prepare a range of assessments to explore concepts and theory, methods and a proposal exploring their implication for the design and conduct of research. Your knowledge and understanding of research methods and methodological debates and issues will be acquired in STAT6085 Design and Statistical Analysis of Surveys, SOCI6041 Qualitative Reserch Methods, and INTR6015 Philosophy and Methods of Social Research. These modules will use a range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, workshops and computer workshops (STAT6085), seminars, group projects and oral presentations (SOCI6041, INTR6015/26/27).

Assessment methods
Your achievement of these learning outcomes will be enabled and assessed using a range of methods: 1000-5000 word essays covering substantive topics, methodological issues; oral presentations; group projects; data coding exercises; research proposals; and your 15000 word dissertation based on independent original research. The essays set as part of SOCI6035 Understanding Modernity and SOCI6043 Understanding Social Change will test your grasp of the key sociological concepts and theories, and their applicability to particular empirical contexts and questions. This will also occur on the basis of the various assessments associated with SOCI6036/SOCI6037/SOCI6039 (Project Module). The essays and exercises set as part of INTR6015 Philosophy and Methods of Social Research (or its 10 CATS equivalent modules INTR60926 and INYT6027), SOCI6041 Qualitative Reserch Methods and Design and STAT6085 Statistical Analysis of Surveys will test your understanding of all aspect of the research process. The dissertation will test your skill in relation to all of the learning outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

On successful completion of the programme, you will be able to: B1. Demonstrate and assess the relationship between concepts, theories and empirical research within sociology; B2. Evaluate the application of topics raised in debates on epistemological and ethical issues within the social sciences to the design and conduct of research; B3. Evaluate the applicability of a range of research methodologies to the conduct of sociological research; B4. Formulate research questions and translate these into appropriate research designs.

Teaching and Learning Methods

These learning outcomes will be enabled using the methods described above. In particular, individual reading, group projects, seminar discussions and presentations, and the preparation of formal assessments will enable you to develop and demonstrate an advanced understanding of the relationship between Sociological concepts, theories and empirical research and to evaluate epistemological and ethical issues within the design and conduct of research. In addition, preparing research proposals and working with your supervisor on your dissertation will enable you to evaluate research methodologies and to formulate research questions and appropriate research designs.

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Assessment methods
Essays, oral presentations, group projects, research proposals, dissertation.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this programme you will be able to: C1. Express complex theoretical and methodological arguments in both written and oral form; C2. Access and utilise library and electronic resources in an effective manner; C3. Work collectively with others to produce an agreed project report.

Teaching and Learning Methods

A writing workshop will be run for all students at the beginning of each semester. The aim of the workshop will be to explore the demands of writing at level 7 and to provide you with a range of strategies for developing your own writing skills. Timetabling the workshops at the beginning of each semester enables a cumulative approach to the development of writing skills for both full-time and parttime students. A Library Workshop will also be run by the Social Science Librarian at the University Library at the beginning of Semester 1. Students will work together on group projects in SOCI6041 and INTR6015/26/27.

Assessment methods
Essays, oral presentations, original research for SOCI6036/7 Project Module and Dissertation, group projects for SOCI6041 and INTR6015/26/27.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

On successful completion of the programme you will be able to: D1. D2. D3. D4. Utilise software packages to record, analyse and present quantitative data; Utilise software packages to record, analyse and present qualitative data; Plan the dissemination of research findings; Design, conduct and report on a piece of original research.

Teaching and learning methods

You will acquire these skills through SOCI6041 Quantitative Methods, STAT6085 Design and Statistical Analysis of Surveys and INTR6015 Philosophy and Methods of Research (or its equivalent 10 CATS modules INTR6026 and INTR6027). These modules will use a combination of teaching and learning methods including lectures, seminars, workshops and individual dissertation supervision to support the development of these skills.

Assessment methods
Essays, group projects and presentations, data coding/analysis exercises, research dissemination plan (INTR6015/26/27).

Programme Structure
To complete the taught element of the programme, students must take the full-time equivalent of six modules (including two half modules). Full-time students will take three modules (or equivalent) in each semester, a total of 60 CATS points per semester. Part-time students must choose the equivalent of 30 CATS points in each Semester. Normally, part-time students will
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take 1.5 modules in each semester although it may be possible to spread the workload unevenly across the semesters, subject to the Programme Co-ordinators approval. The programme that you will follow as a full-time student, together with the associated CATS for each module, is set out below: Semester 1 SOCI6035 STAT6085 INTR6015 Semester 2 SOCI6043 SOCI6041 SOCI6037 Understanding Social Change Qualitative Research Methods Project Module* 20 20 20 (10) (10) (10) Understanding Modernity Design and Statistical Analysis of Surveys Philosophy, Methodology and Research Design: Parts 1+2 CATS 20 20 20 (ECTS) (10) (10) (10)

* This module includes some choices of topic which vary from year to year but will be based on the research expertise of individual members of staff e.g. multiculturalism in contemporary Britain; social science research methods; new technologies and social change; feminist and post-colonial approaches to work and organization; youth transitions. The typical programme that you will follow as a part-time student, together with the associated CATS for each unit, is set out below: Year 1, Semester 1 SOCI6035 Understanding Modernity INTR6026 Philosophy and Methodology in Social Science (Part A) Year 1, Semester 2 SOCI60043 SOCI6036 Understanding Social Change Project Module* 20 10 (10) (5) CATS (ECTS) 20 10 (10) (5)

Year 2, Semester 1 STAT6085 INTR6027 Design and Statistical Analysis of Surveys Designing Research in Social Sciences (Part B) 10 20 (5) (10)

Year 2, Semester 2 SOCI6041 SOCI6037 Qualitative Research Methods Project Module* 20 10 (10) (5)

* This module includes some choices of topic which vary from year to year but will be based on the research expertise of individual members of staff e.g. multiculturalism in contemporary Britain; social science research methods; new technologies and social change; feminist and post-colonial approaches to work and organization; youth transitions.
In order to progress from the taught (diploma) component of the programme you must satisfy the School progression rules. You will be permitted to proceed to the conduct of research for the dissertation (SOCI6010, 60 CATS points, 30 ECTS), provided you have attained an overall average mark of at least 50% (weighted by the credit points of units taken) and have marks below 40% in no more than 30 credits points worth of units. The dissertation is worth 60 credit points. If you are a full-time student you will be required to submit the dissertation within three months; if you are a part-time student you will be required to submit within six months. Award of the MSc is dependent upon both attaining the above standard in coursework and successful completion of the dissertation. Students who fail to meet the required coursework standard on first submission are permitted to resubmit work for the relevant units MSc Sociology & Social Research 4 January 2009

on one subsequent occasion, and if successful proceed to the submission of the dissertation. Students who fail to meet the required standard to proceed to the submission of the dissertation are eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma, provided they achieve an overall average mark of 40% (weighted by the credit points of units taken) and have marks below 40% in no more than 30 credits points worth of units. If your dissertation fails to meet the required standard you will normally have a right of resubmission and, in the event of failing to meet the required standard, will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma.

Support for student learning

There are systems of support for student learning in the School as well as those provided by central University facilities. In the School you will be able to access: The MSc Programme Director, who acts as an academic adviser for all students undertaking the MSc programme; Course handbooks; Student e-mail and access to tutorial staff;

Support for student learning is provided at University level through: Membership of all University of Southampton libraries; A dedicated Student Services Centre, which provides a one-stop shop for enquiries on accommodation, admissions, exams, graduation, student fees and student funds Specialist IT and other facilities for students with disabilities; Assessment and support facilities for students with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties; Counselling and Careers Advisory Services; Assistance with spoken and or/written English for those for whom English is not their first language, through the Centre for Language Study; National Health Service General Practices on campus; An Advice and Information Centre within the Students Union.

All reasonable adjustments are made to support applicants and students with disabilities.

Methods for evaluating the quality of teaching and Learning

You will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the quality of the programme and your learning experiences through: Student evaluation questionnaires for each unit of the programme; Input to periodic unit and programme reviews; Acting as a student representative on the Programme Board or providing feedback to student representatives on the Board.

The ways in which the quality of your programme is checked, both inside and outside the University, include: Recognition of the Division of Sociology and Social Policy by the Economic and Social Research Council as an outlet for the award of postgraduate studentships; The external examiner, who assures standards of awards, and produces an annual report; Quinquennial review of units by the Sociology and Social Policy unit review panel; Quinquennuial review of the programme by a specially convened panel, including members external to the School and the University;

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The annual School Learning and Teaching Enhancement Review and Action Plan (submitted to the Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences), and Faculty reports to the appropriate University committees; Staff appraisal and peer observation of teaching; Institutional review by the Quality Assurance Agency

Criteria for admission

The normal criterion for admission to the programme is the possession of at least an upper second class degree in Sociology, Social Policy, or a cognate discipline. Other qualifications and/or experience may be also be taken into account and may be accepted as a basis for admission subject to School Board approval. If English is not your first language, and you do not have a first degree from a University in the UK or in certain other specified countries, we will need to receive proof of your competence in English language use. This is normally determined on the basis of a minimum score in an approved test - e.g. an IELTS score of at least 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 600 (250 in the case of computer-based TOEFL). If you have a score somewhat below this, you may still be admitted subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-sessional course offered by the Centre for Language Study. In line with the Universitys Equal Opportunities Policy, individuals are selected and treated on their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the School and University. The aim of the policy is to ensure that no prospective learner should receive any less favourable treatment on any grounds which are not relevant to academic ability and attainment. In particular, the School does not place any restrictions on admission by disabled candidates. Every reasonable effort is made to ensure that disabled students are aware of and assisted in making use of the support provided by the University; to ensure access to lectures, classes, learning materials; and to ensure that where necessary appropriate variations to normal examining arrangements are made.

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide) or online at http://www.southampton.ac.uk/socsci/sociology/study/pgt/sociology.html

Revision History
1. 2. Revisions (including title) 30 January 2009 (SHa) New Brand added July 2008

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Diploma/MSc Sociology and Social Research: Assessment grid

Knowledge and Understanding A1 x x x A2 x x x A3 x x x x A4 x x x x x x x x A5 x x A6 x x

Subject Specific Skills B1 x x x B2 x x x x B3 x x x x B4

Transferable Skills C1 x x x C2 x x x x x C3

Subject specific practical skills D1 D2 D3 D4

SOCI6035 Understanding Modernity SOCI6043 Understanding Social Change SOCI60036/7/9 Project Module INTR6015 Philosophy, Methodology and Research INTR6026 Philosophy and Methodology in Social Sci INTR6027 Designing Research in the Social Sci SOCI6041 Qualitative Reserch Methods STAT6085 Design and Statistical Analysis of Surveys

x x x

x x x x

(x)

x x

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