BA (Hons) Social Science: Sociology, Politics and Economics

BA (Hons) Social Science: Sociology, Politics and Economics
The unifying theme of the BA (Hons) in Social Sciences: Sociology, Politics and Economics is a critical and holistic approach to the investigation of social change. The overall aims of this degree course are to equip the students with a sound understanding of the social, economic and political dimensions of social change and to provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary for critical social analysis and active engagement - as critical citizens - with social, political and economic issues.

Overall Course Aims
* Develop your depth of knowledge and analytical skills appropriate to each level of study, building progressively from level one through to level three.
* Equip you with the personal and professional skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed in graduate employment or at post-graduate study.
* Develop your capacity for independent judgement, particularly in undertaking independent study and research.
* Develop your comprehension and capacity to analyse social, political and economic issues and to appreciate the relationship between theory and practice in research, policymaking and social/political activism.
* Enable you to apply different theoretical perspectives critically to the analysis of social, political and economic problems and debate in widely different contexts.
* Empower you with the motivation and independent thinking and learning skills to enable you to become a lifelong autonomous learner and active citizen.

Learning Methods and Strategies
On each module you will meet as a whole group for five hours per week, with teaching typically being split over two days (into 2- and 3-hour sessions).
The teaching methods employed vary according to the content and aims of the session.
A typical session will make use of a mix of different methods - e.g. mini-lecture, pair- or group-work, learning checks, tutor- or student-led discussion - in order to accommodate different learning styles. In the first year the modules delivered in the Autumn- and Spring-term incorporate an hour of explicit (Nuts & Bolts, Sociology I) and implicit (Food for Thought, Economics I) study skills training.
While the explicit study skills strand is geared towards the formative and summative assessment tasks ahead (e.g. reading, note-taking, essay-writing, referencing, exam techniques), the second - implicit - 'seminar' strand aims to develop your presentation skills, group-work, independent learning and student-led discussion in a non-assessed format.
The integration of dedicated study-skills elements during the first year is crucial to easing your return to formal education. In addition to skills teaching and development built into the curriculum, you - like all students - are encouraged to make use of the additional learning support available to you at Ruskin.
During the second and third years, you are expected and encouraged to take an increasingly proactive and independent part in your learning, with tutor-led delivery being scaled down in relation to student-centred activities.
In addition, during the first year you will be paired up for one-hour tutorials with a designated tutor to discuss your work and any issues relating to it on a weekly basis. You will be set work that you will bring to each tutorial for wider discussion and formative assessment.
The work discussed in tutorials might include, for example, essay plans, an annotated bibliography, a draft data-response or notes on a set reading. During years two and three, only the Independent Studies and Dissertation modules are accompanied by scheduled individual tutorials.
Here you are increasingly required to initiate the content and subject of tutorials. During the third year much of the discussion and learning will centre on your individual plan of work.
Beyond the timetabled formal teaching sessions, you will be positively encouraged to form and attend formal and informal study groups in which you can discuss course content, ideas and the wider process of studying. Most of Ruskin's students are residential and discuss issues informally.
In summary, the main teaching and learning methods adopted across the modules are:
* Tutor-led mini-lectures introducing theoretical, conceptual and methodological issues and debates
* Tutor-led seminars allowing you to engage with, contextualise and examine social scientific sources (texts and/or data) individually and in small groups. These sessions become increasingly student led as the course progresses to years two and three
* Tutorials, initially tutor-led but becoming increasingly student-led as the course progresses to years two and three
* Student-centred activities (defined individual, pair- and group-work tasks; presentations)
* Student-led discussion and (during years two and three) delivery of content
Within these methods a range of strategies are adopted including:
* Critical engagement with written sources and data
* Structured discussion exercises
* Session summaries and feedback
* Mini-tests and learning checks
* Library- and web-based research exercises
* Guest lectures as part of the tutor-delivered content
* Group and peer critiques and marking exercises
* Student-led individual and group presentations
* Guides to study skills (e.g. self-directed study, giving and receiving critical feedback, reviewing, editing and proofing work, summarising, time management, research and presentation skills)
Teaching aids and materials vary according to the aims and content of each session, but may include a range of the following: handouts on the delivered content (theories and models), set readings with guiding questions, short stimulus materials (e.g. short audio- and visual materials, news-clips, data, articles), longer background videos/DVDs on specific topics.
All teaching rooms are equipped with teaching aids such as whiteboards, flip-chart and OHPs, with Power-Point projectors and wireless access to the internet available at tutor- or student-request.

Requirement
All candidates must be able to satisfy the general admissions requirements for Ruskin College. These are: * You should be aged 19 or over * You must obtain medical clearance * You must demonstrate commitment to the ethos and vocation of Ruskin College * You must have the ability to benefit from study at this level Selection interviews are conducted as a two-way process in which you can make an informed decision about the suitability of the programme for you. You will find this process valuable. You will participate in an induction week, which includes sessions on all aspects of the college. If you have a Certificate of Higher Education or 120 CATS points in a relevant subject you may be eligible for direct entry onto year two of this course. Please contact our Admissions Officer for further information. Similarly, if you have a Diploma of Higher Education or 240 CATS points is a relevant subject you may be eligible for direct entry onto year three of this course.