THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION FOR M.A. Single Honours in
Sociology1
1)
Awarding Institution: University of Edinburgh
2)
Teaching Institution: University of Edinburgh
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Programme accredited by:
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Final Award: MA Honours
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Programme Title:
6)
UCAS Code: UCAS L300
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmarking Group(s):
Sociology
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Postholder with overall responsibility for QA:
Professor John MacInnes
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Date of production/revision:
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External Summary (200-250 words)
N/A
Sociology
June 2000/November 2008/April 2011/September 2011
Sociology is the study of society, or the ways in which people produce and reproduce enduring
relationships, institutions, cultures and systems, and of how these in turn influence both individual
lives and public issues. It examines all aspects of society from intimate and personal life through to
the economy, the state, science, technology and the environment. It ranges from historical and
comparative studies of the evolution of entire civilizations to investigating the social basis of
individual behaviour and belief. It investigates the elaborate basis of human cooperation as well as the
many sources of conflict that arise within it.
Sociology uses empirical research such as surveys, ethnography, observation or documentary
analysis. It also develops theories about the nature of society that raise philosophical questions about
the nature of human understanding. It draws upon classical thought from the enlightenment onwards,
the ideas of key figures such as Marx, Durkheim and Weber, and later developments of that tradition.
At Edinburgh, both students and staff are drawn from all over the world, and we place particular
emphasis on a global or international comparative perspective and on an empirical approach, so that
all students undertake their own research projects in their final two years. Students have the
opportunity to learn from staff who are leaders in their fields, in one of the UK's strongest research
departments. Reflecting the breadth of sociology there are close links in teaching with other subject
areas in the School of Social and Political Science. A vibrant Sociology Society draws together
undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff.
10)
Educational aims of programme:
The programme aims to develop:
1 The information contained in this Programme Specification should be used as a guide to the content of a degree programme and should
not be interpreted as a contract.
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11)
A sound knowledge of the major fields of study within sociology
Substantive knowledge of a range of areas of sociological analysis and the empirical evidence
underlying them, informed by an active research culture
The ability to understand, evaluate and use a range of theoretical frameworks from
contemporary sociology
The ability to use both quantitative and qualitative methods to collect, evaluate and interpret
empirical evidence, and undertake independent research
The capacity to apply sociological knowledge to the understanding and evaluation of social
issues and problems in the contemporary world
Key generic skills in critical thinking, evaluation of evidence, conceptual analysis, logical
argument and oral and written communication.
Programme outcomes:
11a) Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the programme students should be able to:
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Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts and theoretical approaches within
sociology;
Understand the importance of social context, social processes, social diversity and inequality;
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the social processes underpinning social change
and social stability;
Understand the relationship between individuals, groups and social institutions;
Understand the relationship between sociological argument and empirical evidence;
Use a range of research strategies and methods to gain sociological knowledge;
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the methods and value of comparative analysis;
Demonstrate awareness of the distinctive character of sociology in relation to other forms of
understanding, such as its relation to other disciplines and to everyday ‘common sense’
explanations.
How is this accomplished?
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Compulsory and optional elements in the curriculum ensure coverage of the importance of social
context, social processes, social diversity and inequality; the value of comparative analysis; the
relationship between individuals, groups and social institutions and the social processes
underpinning social change and social stability
Course handbooks, lectures, lecture handouts, tutorials, seminars, and presentations, delivered
face to face, hard copy or electronically through websites, blogs and wikis, are the key channels
for dissemination of knowledge and guidance to further reading and research;
Content and assessment of courses and the requirements of the compulsory project/dissertation
ensure cumulative knowledge and critical engagement with key concepts, theoretical approaches
and research strategies in sociology;
Essays, examinations, oral presentations and project work require independent reading and
research beyond knowledge and understanding provided in the classroom;
Essays, examinations, oral presentations and project work encourage application of alternative
and comparative perspectives on and explanations of social phenomena, the weighing of evidence
and argument and the identification of what is distinctive about a sociological explanation.
11b)
Graduate attributes: Skills and abilities in Research and Enquiry
Graduates in Sociology will be able to create new knowledge and opportunities for learning through
the process of research and enquiry, including the abilities to:
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Apply different theories to the interpretation and explanation of social processes or structures;
Recognise and account for the use of such theories by others;
Evaluate, critique, and build on the work of sociology scholars;
Discuss and assess empirical evidence and theoretical argument in a clear and reasoned way;
Understand the ethical implications of sociological enquiry;
Select and use appropriate methods of sociological enquiry, to identify a range of different
research strategies and methods and to comment on their relative advantages and disadvantages;
Formulate sociologically informed questions including competence in using major theoretical
perspectives and concepts in sociology, and their application to social life;
Judge the value and relevance of empirical evidence and theoretical argument and interpretation
in sociology;
Plan and carry out a research project and report its findings appropriately;
Creatively and constructively identify and design ways of solving problems with a social
dimension;
Recognise, build on, and transcend the boundaries of the various social science disciplines – their
empirical methods and their analytical traditions - in the pursuit of publically useful knowledge.
How is this accomplished?
In addition to the above these will be accomplished through:
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guidance on literature searching and web-based information sources in lectures and seminars;
specific assessed tasks in compulsory courses (e.g. textual analysis, production of research
proposal);
requirements for seminar exercises and projects in ordinary and Honours courses;
peer and tutor feedback on tasks, exercises and projects;
the core courses, Designing and Doing Social Research, Doing Survey Research and Social
Theory;
production, supervision and assessment of the honours research project.
11c)
Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
Graduates in Sociology will be able to work independently and sustainably, in a way that is informed
by openness, curiosity, and a desire to meet new challenges, including the abilities and dispositions to:
• be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning and are committed to
continuous reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement;
• be able to sustain intellectual interest by remaining receptive to both new and old ideas, methods,
and ways of thinking;
• be able to make decisions on the basis of rigorous and independent thought, taking into account
ethical and professional issues;
• be able to use collaboration and debate effectively to test, modify and strengthen their own views;
• be able to respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts;
• have a personal vision and goals and be able to work towards these in a sustainable way.
In addition to the above these will be accomplished through:
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requirements for tutorials to focus on students’ own reading and reflection;
requirements for completing written and oral coursework assignments independently;
requirements for planning, carrying out and writing up the research project within a given
timetable;
requirements for self directed study guided by course reading lists;
requirements for students to manage their time effectively to meet deadlines.
11d)
Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Communication
Graduates in Sociology will recognise and value communication as the tool for negotiating and
creating new understanding, collaborating with others, and furthering their own learning, including
the abilities to:
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make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and
communicate understanding;
use communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others;
further their own learning through effective use of the full range of communication approaches;
seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness;
recognise the benefits of communicating with those beyond their immediate environments;
use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection.
In addition to the above these will be accomplished through:
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requirements for and feedback on effective individual and group oral presentation and
communication in tutorials and seminars;
assessed tutorial participation in some tutorials;
the requirements to communicate and present quantitative evidence effectively in the course
Doing Survey Research and other courses;
the requirement to design, carry out and report on a research project, and feedback on it;
the optional honours course on project presentation.
11e)
Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Personal Effectiveness
Graduates in Sociology will be able to effect change and be responsive to the situations and
environments in which they operate, including the abilities to:
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make constructive use of social analysis skills in personal, professional, and community life;
apply understanding of social risks, in relation to diverse stakeholders, while initiating and
managing change;
be both adaptive and proactively responsive to changing social contexts;
have the confidence to make decisions based on their understandings and their personal and
intellectual autonomy;
transfer their knowledge, learning, skills and abilities from one context to another;
understand and act on social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities, and help others
to do the same;
be able to work effectively with others, capitalising on their different thinking, experience and
skills;
understand and promote effectively the values of diversity and equity, while also recognizing
possible trade-offs between these.
How is this to be accomplished?
By the combination of skills acquired listed above under 11(a) to (d)
11f)
Technical/practical skills
Library, information location and retrieval skills; use of Statistical Package for Social Scientists
(SPSS) and other data processing and presentation software; use of word processing and presentation
packages (e.g. Powerpoint).
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Programme structure and features
For the structure of the Sociology Degree Programme please see
http://www.star.euclid.ed.ac.uk/ipp/utscygy.htm
Minimum Entry: SQA Highers BBBB or more if two sittings; GCE 'A' Levels BBB; IB
award of diploma with 34 points overall and grades 555 in HL subjects; Satisfactory
completion of recognised Access course.
NYT
Course
S
L
CT
1
Sociology 1A The Sociological Imagination: Individuals and Society
J
8
20
Sociology 1B The Sociological Imagination: Private Troubles, Public
Problems
J
8
20
Further courses
2
A-Q, T
&W
7/8
80
Sociology 2 Transformations of Self and Society
J
8
20
Social and Political Enquiry 2
J
8
20
Social and Political Theory 2
J
8
20
7/8
60
Further courses
3
4
A-Q, T
&W
Social Theory
J
10
20
Designing and Doing Social Research
J
10
20
Doing Survey Research
J
10
20
Courses in Sociology
J
10
40
Courses in Social and Political Science†
J
10
20
Sociology Project*
J
10
40
Courses in Sociology
J
10
60
Courses in Social and Political Science†
J
10
20
*Students are expected to use part of the summer vacation of their third year on research for their Project.
†Students are allowed but not required to take up to 40 credits of honours options in other subject areas
within the School of Social and Political Science. Students are allowed to take courses outside the School
only with the approval of Head of Sociology, and the Head of the subject area offering the course.
Students who achieve marks of 50% or more at the first attempt, for all required second-year courses for
their registered degree, are entitled to progress to honours.
Progression:
Y1
Students must pass all subjects.
Y2
A pass in six courses overall, with a mark of 50% or more in required courses.
Y3
End of semester degree examinations
Students with sufficient credits may exit at end of Year 3 with BA Humanities and
Social Science. Students who choose not to continue after year 3 of the Honours
programme may also, with the discretion of the examination board, be awarded the BA.
Y4
Degree classification based on performance in 240 credits courses taken in Y3 and Y4,
assessed in the year they are taken.
Modes of study
Study in most courses in years 1 and 2 combines lectures and small group tutorials. Most courses in
years 3 and 4 combine lectures with student discussion and presentation. The required research
courses in year 3 include practical tasks and small group work in doing social research, including
laboratory-based practicals. The Project is conducted by the student on an individual basis and is
guided by a series of supervision meetings with a member of staff, and supported by a series of
project preparation workshops. In the optional Project Presentation course students learn, via a series
of workshops, how to present their project findings effectively in both oral and visual formats.
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Other Items
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The subject area, together with on course students, external examiners and quality assurance
procedures, continually monitors the quality of the organisation, content, and delivery of its
teaching with the aim of achieving the highest standards.
Erasmus and International Exchange Schemes are available to students in their 3rd year.