BA (Hons) - Sociology

Year one

The focus of the first year is introducing the key concepts within sociological approaches and developing the skills to negotiate Level 4 learning and above. The programme begins with an introduction to the main traditions of sociological thought interpreted and interrogated through
the lens of local, regional and national issues today. This is supported by modules concerned with re-examining everyday practices through the role of place and material culture; digital media; poverty and social justice. These areas of study will focus on the local contexts of Cumbria,
exploring their links to wider issues, theories and practices.

Research is at the core of the programme throughout all three years. The first year of study introduces social research methods, equipping you to read current research papers and make links between data, evidence, and findings. This will prepare you for your second year, when you will engage directly with current debates in several sub-fields of sociology

• Theorising Social Life
  This module introduces students to key sociological theories and concepts that help explain how societies are structured, how they change over time, and how individuals experience social life. Through the study of both historical and contemporary issues, students will explore how sociological thinking can be applied to understand everyday experiences and broader social patterns. The module will also introduce you to university level study and develop your ability to think critically, engage with academic literature, and apply theoretical perspectives to real-world contexts.
• Exploring Space, Place and Material Place
  How does place, space and material culture affect the identity of Cumbria, and how can we use this to understand both local and global sociological concerns? This module will introduce you to social theories of place and space, bringing in different perspectives on how to understand the relationship between the organisation of everyday life and larger structures of meaning and significance.
• Media, Culture and Persuasion
  This module will explore the forms, role and reliability of media forms in the 21st century. Drawing on the sociology of media, media studies, communication and cultural theory, it will consider the relationship between social and digital media and the rise of what has been termed ‘post truth'.
• Poverty, Policy and Place
  This module will explore the impact of poverty and inequality in the UK, with a particular focus of the Cumbria region. You will explore different approaches to the definition and measurement of poverty and inequality. You will develop an understanding of how social inequalities arise and why they are geographically concentrated. Throughout this module you will evaluate how policy might best address the issue of widening inequality and its consequences.
• Understanding Social Research
  This module will introduce you to the principles of social research, how to read and appraise research articles, and the fundamental methods used to create sociological knowledge. This will form the basis of your understanding of research which will allow you to examine claims and arguments made in your subsequent programme modules, as well as laying the foundations for carrying out future
  research,
• Power and Social Justice
  This module will introduce you to the concepts and theories of social justice. You will analyse structural
  power and inequity within society by considering the history of social justice as well as contemporary issues.

Year two

The second year will build on the skills learned in the first year to enable you to critically engage in a broad scope of topics. You will develop your learning from the first year by approaching contemporary debates and challenges through both the places and spaces that we inhabit, and the
underpinning histories of sociological debate which frame them.

You will examine the complexities of debates in and around areas such as the sociology of health, education, work, religious belief, social movements and protest.
Finishing the second year, the skills to evaluate and appraise a range of positions in each area of study will enable you to prepare for your third year by considering which topics you may want to develop in more detail through research.
This will be supported by the continued growth of your research capabilities. In the second year you will look specifically at how research methods translated into social policy, and the ways to practice effective and impactful research.

• Social Research in Policy and Practice
  The aim of this module is to continue your development in social research and your ability to critically engage with sociological literature and apply this understanding to the
  analysis of social policy.
  You will conduct a research activity to investigate a policy-related issue. Through a structured literature review and reflective analysis, you will gain insight into the relationship between theory,
  evidence, and policy practice, and begin to formulate ideas for future research.
• Health, Wellbeing and Quality of Life
  The aim of the module is to examine the evolution of health and wellbeing in a social context and the challenges of health and wellbeing in contemporary society. You will explore the historical and cultural influences on health and wellbeing by analysing definitions and perceptions over time and critically assess the development of healthcare systems and their societal impact.
• Religion and Society
  This module will engage you with the impact, implications and significance of religion, belief, faith and spiritualities as a social phenomenon. It will critically explore the ways in which religion operates as a primary social institution, interacting alongside family, education, and government.
• The Business of Work in a Digital World
  The idea of work – what it is, how it is done and who or what does it – is in a period of transformation. In this module, you will study the impact of technology on work, enabling you both to understand the main debates on this in the field of social theory, and equipping you to enter the workplace with the appropriate skills and knowledge
• Protest, Resistance and Engagement
  During this module you will explore the idea of ‘social engagement’ – be it community engagement, co-production, organised protest, or socially-engaged work –through the lens of contemporary and historical art practice and cultural theory. You will also explore how this lens provides a platform for interrogating the purpose, form and outcomes of social engagement in a range of
  contexts.
• Structures of Education
  This module will develop you as active practitioners in the Sociology of Education to enable you to demonstrate your praxis-led research informed by relevant scholarship.

Year three

In your third year, the modules are geared towards establishing your identity as a research-informed
professional. This includes reflections on the intersectional themes which link all of the previous modules – such as rurality, inequality, and gender – which will consolidate learning and enable synthesis of knowledge and skills. This aligns with exploring the nature of "the professional" and the role of the Global Citizen, both as an object of study and also as a preparation for you to approach your future career.
The third year will also support your applied knowledge of how research transforms into practice. Your dissertation allows you to develop your own research, which may be aligned with voluntary opportunities with local organisations to conduct small research projects.
Taken together, these modules consolidate and develop the skills and knowledge you have learned throughout the programme, enabling you to take your next step in your
career with strength and confidence

• Dissertation
  You will complete an independent research project. The topic of the project will be agreed with your supervisor. You will develop your research skills and gaining valuable experience in research project management. This module is the final of three modules which builds directly from the
  learning undertaken previously as part of your continuous research training on the BA (Hons) Sociology programme.
  Building on your understanding of research methods in the second year, this module provides direct experience of designing and conducting a research project, working autonomously under the supervision of an experienced academic.
• Specialist Module
  This module will provide an opportunity for a particularly in-depth examination of a topic being actively researched by a tutor at the University. Within the module, you will undertake in-depth analysis of the given topic, as well as follow the tutor’s progress as they construct and deliver a research project.
• Being a Global Citizen
  This module will explore your intercultural awareness through the lens of your role as a Citizen of the World. You will be challenged to show your understanding through practical assessment, and this will build on your professional and employability skills.
• The Future is Intersectional
  A series of key themes intersect across all the modules on your programme. In this module you will reflect on these intersections, the ways they have affected current research and practice, and how they might develop in the future.
  In doing this, you will bring together your learning from all your previous modules, enabling you to reflect on your progress as a learner, a researcher, and a contributor
  within society.
• What is a Professional
  The aim of this module is to prepare you for the transition from a student to the professional world by developing a critical understanding of professionalism through a sociological lens. You will explore the development of professional identity and examine how professions are
  shaped and perceived within society. The module will help you understand personal values, ethics and their role in professional practice. You will take a reflective approach on the transition from student to professional, including challenges and strategies for navigating the transition. The
  module will introduce you to sociological theory relevant to professional practice, power dynamics and inequalities within professions. You will take a critical approach to the public perception and media representation of professions and the impact of societal values and economic factors on
  professional recognition.