Unit name | Introduction to the Social Sciences |
---|---|
Unit code | SPOL00001 |
Credit points | 40 |
Level of study | QCA-3 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Professor. Pantazis |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 5.0 in writing and 5.0 in each part of the test |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This 40 credit point unit aims to introduce international students to the social sciences. It has two main themes:
The first theme focuses on ‘understanding society’. With an emphasis on contemporary British society, politics and culture, it introduces students to the diverse range of social science subjects which can be studied at the University of Bristol.
The second theme focuses on ‘contemporary social and political challenges’. Introducing students to topics such as globalisation, terrorism and political violence, poverty, and human rights, it draws upon the research undertaken within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law at the University of Bristol.
Cross-cutting these two themes is the unit’s focus on developing students’ skills in order to equip them to study in the social sciences.
The specific aims of the unit are:
By the end of the unit, the students will be able demonstrate that they have the following:
An understanding of skills which are required within the social sciences such as those relating to using data sources, using theory, critical appraisal and critical thinking, essay writing, articulating arguments, presentation skills and contributing to seminar-style discussions.
The unit will consist of 2 hours per week spread over 24 weeks. The first hour will normally consist of an interactive style lecture on the substantive topic to allow opportunities for questions and discussion. The second hour will normally take the form of a seminar using material from or relating to the lecture to focus on developing the students’ study skills.
Students will have four pieces of assessment:
Assessment for Learning (formative):
1 x 750-1000 word formative essay assessing ILOs 1, and 3 and parts of 4
1 x 7-8 minute presentation assessing ILOs 1, and 3 and parts of 4 (pass or fail)
Assessment of Learning (Summative):
1 x 1500 word max summative essay assessing ILOs 2, 3 and parts of 4 (50% of final assessment mark)
1 x 1.5 hour summative exam assessing ILOs 1, 2,3, and parts of 4 (50% of final assessment mark)
Credit points will be awarded for successful submission of formative essay and presentation and passing the summative assessment.