Certificate of Higher Education in Social Science: Sociology, Politics and Economics

Certificate of Higher Education in Social Science: Sociology, Politics and Economics
The Certificate of Higher Education in Social Science will give you an insight into how Sociology, Political Science and Economics explore, explain and interpret different aspects of social change. The course is aimed at mature students with little or no prior knowledge of these subject and aims to give you a sound understanding of the core concepts, theories and approaches involved in the study of society

Overall Course Aims
* Develop students' depth of knowledge and analytical skills appropriate to each level of study, building progressively from level one through to level three.
* Equip students with the personal and professional skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed in improving their career prospects or progressing to further undergraduate study
* Develop students' capacity for independent judgement, particularly in undertaking independent study and research.
* Develop students' comprehension and capacity to analyse social, political and economic issues and to appreciate the relationship between theory and practice in research, policy making and social/political activism.
* Enable students to apply different theoretical perspectives critically to the analysis of social, political and economic problems and debate in widely different contexts.
* Empower students with the motivation and independent thinking and learning skills to enable them to become lifelong autonomous learners and active citizens.

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
In addition, during the Certificate of Higher Education 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.
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.
* Tutorials, initially tutor-led but becoming increasingly student-led as the course progresses
* Student-centred activities (defined individual, pair- and group-work tasks; presentations)
* Student-led discussion and
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.