University of Bradford
Division of Social Sciences and Criminal Justice Studies
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University of Bradford
BA (Hons) [National Qualifications Framework level H]
Social Policy and Sociology
3 years full-time
LLH4
Social Policy and Administration, Sociology
not applicable
January 2005
June 2011
The Division of Social Sciences and Criminal Justice Studies offers a number of degrees at both
undergraduate and postgraduate level in addition to a buoyant research programme. With
reference to teaching and learning, the Division aims to:
 provide a supportive, structured environment in which you are encouraged to develop
independent learning skills;
 develop subject knowledge and understanding, and provide education in discipline skills to
enable you to pursue further programmes of study or careers in areas where social science
skills are required or desirable;
 develop personal transferable skills to enable you to pursue further programmes of study or
careers in non-cognate fields.
Programme Aims
A distinctive feature of the Social Policy and Sociology degree course is the opportunity to study
these two discipline areas together and to understand the similarities and differences between
them. The aim is to bring these two disciplines to bear in the understanding of the relationship
between individuals, groups and social institutions. We will provide you with a thorough
understanding of the core issues and concerns of social policy and sociology. These include the
origins, development and contemporary features of society in the UK and internationally, a
comparative understanding of welfare systems and social structures in other countries, the main
debates about the provision of welfare and the main theoretical approaches used in such debates,
alongside understanding of contemporary sociological debate. The course will help you to develop
the capacity to critically assess evidence from a range of social science disciplines and to
appreciate how societies are continuously reconstructed and changed. As part of this, you will
develop a theoretically-informed understanding of the contribution to these processes by those of
different gender, values and beliefs, and different social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
Learning outcomes indicate what you should know and understand, and be able to do on
successful completion of the programme. They have been developed with reference to the Social
Policy and Administration subject benchmark and the Sociology subject benchmarks, published by
the QAAHE. When you have completed the BA in Social Policy and Sociology you will have
acquired the following:

Knowledge and understanding of the origins and development of UK welfare institutions, of
the contemporary UK welfare system and of debates surrounding the provision of welfare;
some knowledge about policy and provision in each of the main social policy fields – housing,
health, social security, social services and education – and understanding of governmental and
non-governmental sources of welfare, of the political and institutional framework within which
welfare is delivered and of research methods relevant to the study of social policy and
sociology; an understanding of key concepts and theoretical approaches in sociology; social
diversity and power relations; the relationship between individuals, groups and social
institutions; the role of culture in social life; the social processes underpinning social change; a
critical understanding of most of the topics studied; an ability to reflect critically on ideas that
are presented in teaching and in relevant literature and a critical understanding of the
complexities involved in social policy formation, implementation and development.

Discipline skills in the ability to utilise descriptive and analytic skills and the capacity to
understand, and reflect upon, the underlying value base of many policy proposals and to
distinguish clearly between normative and empirical arguments; the ability to identify and reflect
upon the main strengths and weaknesses of various policies and policy proposals; the ability to
formulate and investigate sociologically-informed questions; competence in using major
theoretical perspectives and concepts in social policy and sociology; the ability to analyse and
assess empirical information in social policy and sociology and to conduct preliminary social
policy or sociological research; familiarity with a range of research methods and an ability to
reflect critically on their use in various research studies.

Personal transferable skills in an ability to discriminate between quantitative and qualitative
research methods and a capacity to undertake independent investigation, to write clearly and
to weigh evidence and arguments in a dispassionate way; the ability to communicate effectively
and fluently in both speech and writing and to use communication and ICT skills for the
retrieval and presentation of social science data.
Curriculum
The curriculum map below shows the core and optional units for each of the stages of the degree
course.
Notes for the curriculum
1. You will study 60 credits in each semester over the three stages of the course.
2. In Stage 1 you will choose 20 credits of options from the two options listed below in Stage 1.
3. In Stage 2 your modules are all core.
4. In Stage 3, Semesters 1 and 2, you will take a 60-credit dissertation module and, with
guidance from your supervisor, will choose a negotiated subject for this. You will choose 40
credits of options in Semester 1 and 20 credits in Semester 2 from the options listed below in
Stage 3.
5. You may choose up to 20 credits of your optional units at the appropriate level as electives
from anywhere in the University, subject to timetabling restrictions and pre- or co-requisites
being met.
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review
procedures, as improvements are made each year.
Map of the curriculum
Unit Code
STAGE 1
SJ-4004L
SJ-4007L
Or
SP-4001L
SJ-4002D
SJ-4003D
SJ-4005D
SJ-4006D
STAGE 2
SJ-5011K
SJ-5001D
SJ-5002D
Title
Global Society: Local Experiences
Introduction to Crime and Criminal Justice
Semester Credits Level
Core
1 and 2
20
1
Core
1 and 2
20
1
Introduction to Philosophy
Learning Strategies
Social Divisions and Change
State and Society
Introduction to Sociology
Core
Core
Core
Core
1
1
2
2
20
20
20
20
1
1
1
1
Research and Evaluation
The British Welfare State
Modern Social and Cultural Trends
Core
Core
Core
1 and 2
1
1
40
20
20
2
2
2
2
Unit Code
SJ-5006D
SP-5001D
STAGE 3
SJ-6004W
SP-6002D
SJ-6003D
SJ-6001D
SJ-6006D
SJ-6002D
SJ-6005D
Title
Sociological Theory
Political Philosophy
Dissertation
History of Ideas: Copernicus, Darwin and Freud
Contemporary Criminal Justice
The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations
Cultural and Theoretical Psychology
Contemporary Debates on Society and Culture
International Perspectives on Crime
Core
Core
Core
Option
Option
Option
Option
Option
Option
Semester Credits Level
2
20
2
2
20
2
1 and 2
1
1
1
1
2
2
60
20
20
20
20
20
20
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
Progression
University regulations with regard to progression may be found on:
http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_Hbk/Undergrad_Regs_.html#progression_between_stages
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
The teaching and learning strategy takes into consideration the learning outcomes, progression
through the levels of study, the nature of the subject, and the need for you to take greater
responsibility for your own learning as you progress through the course.
In Stage 1 you will develop knowledge and understanding of the learning strategies necessary for
the successful completion of academic study in higher education. These will include IT skills and
foundational concepts and topics in Social Policy and Sociology. In Stage 2, you will take your
skills further through a range of core and optional modules aimed at developing an understanding
of theoretical and methodological approaches. In Stage 3, you will gain tremendous benefit by
completing a dissertation (of 12,000–15,000 words), working on your own but with supervision from
a member of staff. This will give you the opportunity not only to increase your specialist subject
knowledge, but also to demonstrate your ability to undertake independent study.
Assessment methods are varied to give students experience of a range of possible assessment
formats.
Throughout the course, you will acquire skills that will be useful not only in your chosen subject
area, but in whatever profession you choose to follow. These are listed on the second page of this
document as personal transferable skills.
Student support and guidance
The University and the Division have a well-deserved reputation in this area. You will be allocated
a personal tutor who will make time available for you to meet up with him/her on a regular basis.
You will also be supported in your studies by university and Divisional student handbooks and by
module booklets. Each student will be given a Personal Development File. You will be able to
complete this file at points throughout your course and discuss in detail with your personal tutor
who can then give direct help or advise on further sources of academic support (e.g. specific
module tutors). The support provided by the Division is enhanced by a strong university
infrastructure, including particularly the Disabilities Office, the Counselling Service, the Careers
Service, and by access to Library and Computing facilities.
Admission requirements
Applicants must satisfy the University’s General Entrance Requirements and offers of 180 - 220
points will be made.
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Mature applicants (over the age of 21) without the necessary formal qualifications may be
considered, although they will normally be interviewed and will be required to submit a piece of
work for assessment.
For applicants whose first language is other than English a recognised English language
qualification is required for example, a score of 600 on The Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) or an overall band of 6.0 in the International English Language Testing Service Test
(IELTS). Other qualifications can be checked on request. However, if you have previously studied
and achieved acceptable qualifications that have been taught and assessed in English, an English
Language waiver can be given.
Further information
If you would like more information about the University of Bradford, please check the
undergraduate prospectus. More details about the Division and its courses can be obtained from
the Admissions Co-ordinator, Division of Social Sciences and Criminal Justice Studies, University
of Bradford, Richmond Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP. Tel 01274 233072, email:
ssisugadmissions@bradford.ac.uk. Further information is also available on the Division’s web
pages (http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/socsci/).
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