SOC4013 - Social Science Skills

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

Content:

This module aims to provide students the essential skills of undertaking an undergraduate degree such as grasping the basics of social research, academic writing, presenting and professional development.

The first semester aims to help students transition into higher education by introducing them to the learning and teaching approaches at Leeds Trinity university, allowing students to integrate their own learning from personal experience with an ability to engage in an empathic, ethical and compassionate way with the wider world. Students will also be encouraged to reflect and develop on their employability profile; identify and apply for placement opportunities (where appropriate); and prepare for and successfully complete a Professional Challenge Project or work placement at the end of semester 2.

The second semester will allow students to begin to understand, the importance of social research by examining how sociological data may be collected, analysed, displayed and explained effectively. This module introduces students to becoming research literate. Students will examine different ways of communicating research, to identify the methods used by both historical and contemporary criminologists and sociologists and explore the suitability of the methods selected.

The module helps to prepare the student with the kinds of skills that are valued by employers, and as such embedded within the module is a professional development period at the end of the year, which includes the opportunity to take an optional professional placement or to engage in a professional challenge project. Students will be given advice throughout the year relating to the professional application of the skills being developed on this module and towards the end of semester 1 sessions will be delivered that help students choose the right option for them to undertake during the professional development period in semester 2. Personal development is supported by regular personal tutoring meetings, which are designed to give more personal support and professional skill development for students.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Personal and Professional Development Workshop
Hours: 20 (miniumum)
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Professional Challenge Project or Work Placement
Hours: 20 (miniumum) Professional Challenge Project
Intended Group Size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 220

Further details relating to assessment
The group presentation will build on academic skills learned in Sem 1 regarding academic integrity and will expect students to work together to answer a question.

The essay in Semester 2 will be based on one of two given topics, where students will be asked to consider two journal articles in terms of their chosen methods. Lectures in Semester 2 will be helpful in understanding methodologies in criminology and social science skills in general.

This module will culminate in a two-week Professional Challenge Project or a two-week work placement. Students will have the chance to opt which path they want to take during the course of the module. Guidance regarding the options will be included in the Module Handbook and supported by briefings at the beginning of Semester 2.

A pass in the Professional Challenge Project will be achieved through participation in key tasks throughout the project. A pass in the work placement will include input from the employer. During the Professional Challenge Project or Placement, students will complete a Reflective Statement outlining their learning from the project /placement.

Formative assessment will take place in taught sessions to check the development of understanding as well as online. 20% of the module marks will be provided by the end of year Integrated assessment, which will look at how the different areas of Criminology, Sociology and Policing can be applied to a case study or specific issue as appropriate to the programme of study.

Asessment Component 003 Professional Challenge Project / Work Placement must be passed in line with University regulations.

Assessment:

001 Group Presentation 10 mins/1,000 words, end of Sem 1 25%
002 Essay; 1,000 words; end of semester 2 40%
003 Professional challenge or placement; 20 hr for PCP or 50-70hr for placement; end of semester 2 development block %
004 Reflective statement; 1,000 words; end of semester 2 development block 15%
005 Integrated assessment; 10 min; end of IA period 20%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Joanna Adhikari
Level - 4
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL

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