Module Details |
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module. |
Title | STUDYING SOCIETY | ||
Code | SOCI106 | ||
Coordinator |
Dr KJ Morrin Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology Kirsty.Morrin@liverpool.ac.uk |
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Year | CATS Level | Semester | CATS Value |
Session 2019-20 | Level 4 FHEQ | Whole Session | 30 |
Aims |
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-To introduce students to the field of social enquiry and its proper objects of study -To introduce students to the principles and process of social research -To introduce students to strategies for finding, accessing and evaluating sources of information -To introduce students to basic methods and techniques of data production and analysis -To introduce students to basic techniques for presenting and communicating information effectively |
Learning Outcomes |
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(LO1) An understanding of the nature of social enquiry and its objects of attention |
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(LO2) An understanding of key principles in social research |
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(LO3) An understanding of the social research process |
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(LO4) An ability to find and access existing sources of information |
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(LO5) An ability to critically evaluate sources of information and knowledge claims |
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(LO6) An ability to produce and analyse both qualitative and quantitative data effectively |
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(LO7) An ability to present and communicate information and findings of research in an effective manner |
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(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills – oral |
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(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - written |
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(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Listening skills |
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(S4) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Following instructions/protocols/procedures |
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(S5) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Influencing skills – argumentation |
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(S6) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills) |
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(S7) Time and project management - Personal organisation |
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(S8) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis |
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(S9) Information accessing - skills used in technology |
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(S10) Critical analysis - Critical thinking and problem solving |
Syllabus |
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The module content is organised around the following four ‘blocks’: 1 Introduction to social enquiry This first block is intended to introduce students to the field of social enquiry. We begin simply by asking 'what is the social?' and 'what do we know of it?' In doing so, students are quickly introduced to the importance of thinking critically about the social world and our knowledge of it. The nature of sociology as discipline that involves our thinking differently about the social is outlined, and in turn we consider the place of sociology within society. As sociologists in the making, students are encouraged to start identifying issues and asking questions that could be taken up as the focus of their own further social enquiries. 2 Sources of information This second block aims to introduce students to strategies for finding, accessing and evaluating different sources of information about the social. It is designed to en courage and enable students to think critically about sources such the media, governments, and other 'officials', and to think about how the information they find might be approached and used as part of their social enquiries. As part of this block students engage in workshops designed to enable the development of practical skills in finding and accessing information, and encouraged to demonstrate these through the completion of assigned information gathering and evaluation task. 3 Introduction to primary research and data production This third block is intended to introduce students to the basic process, principles and practice of social research. In doing so, students are encouraged to think about how they might themselves actually produce data that will help them begin to address their own questions about the social. The block includes an introduction to principles of research design, ethical issues in social research, as well as methods of data production incl uding observation, interviewing, and questionnaires. Practical research competencies are developed through the completion of assigned data production tasks, whereby students get the opportunity to actually apply the methods they have learnt and generate their own data about the social world. 4 Introduction to data analysis and presentation This fourth and final block firstly introduces students to some basic methods and techniques of data analysis. A key component of this block is engagement in practical data analysis workshops in which students will work with both qualitative and quantitative data, some of which they will have themselves produced in the previous block. The block also introduces students to strategies and techniques for presenting and communicating findings orally, visually, and textually. Again, students are encouraged to demonstrate their data analysis and presentation skills through the completion of assigned tasks. Over the course of this year lon g module then, students are offered a comprehensive introduction to the field of social enquiry, and encouraged to develop a wide set of key skills to be developed throughout their degree studies and beyond. |
Teaching and Learning Strategies |
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Teaching Method 1 - Lecture Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial Teaching Method 3 - Practical Teaching Method 4 - Group-work Self-Directed Learning Description: Self directed learning hours will be spent reading around the course content, preparing for other learning activities such as tutorials and practical sessions, and completing assessed assignments. |
Teaching Schedule |
Lectures | Seminars | Tutorials | Lab Practicals | Fieldwork Placement | Other | TOTAL | |
Study Hours |
24 |
14 |
8 0 12 |
58 | |||
Timetable (if known) | |||||||
Private Study | 242 | ||||||
TOTAL HOURS | 300 |
Assessment |
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EXAM | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
CONTINUOUS | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
Group Presentation of Research Findings 10 to 15 minutes There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedu | 15 minutes | 15 | ||||
Tutorial Contribution There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Continuous | Continuous | 15 | ||||
Written essay on topic of social enquiry There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 1 | -750 words | 10 | ||||
Review of existing sources There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 1 | -1250 words | 30 | ||||
Report on data production There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 2 | -1250 words | 30 |
Recommended Texts |
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Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module. |