Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module FOUD01C7: Concepts, Methods & Theories in the Social Sciences 1

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD01C7: Concepts, Methods & Theories in the Social Sciences 1

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Open 0 10 Not available in 2021/2022 None. Durham

Pre-requisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce a range of concepts, methods and theories relevant to a range of social science degree progression routes
  • To introduce key theories, ideas and philosophies
  • To introduce primary source materials alongside relevant critical work, which locates these sources in their sociological contexts as well as within a body of academic scholarship
  • To introduce critical thinking by describing, analysing and evaluating relevant primary source materials
  • To introduce the ability to communicate these concepts, methods and theories successfully
  • To encourage interdisciplinary and collaborative studentship

Content

  • An introduction to the Social Sciences and how they intersect
  • Concepts, methods and theories from the Social Sciences
  • Research Methods in the Social Sciences

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • By the end of the programme students will have:
  • 1. Knowledge of a range of foundational subject concepts
  • 2. Knowledge of a range of relevant research methods
  • 3. Knowledge of a range of relevant vocabulary
Subject-specific Skills
  • By the end of the programme students will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate the appropriate use of a range of foundational subject concepts
  • 2. Demonstrate the appropriate use of relevant research methods
  • 3. Demonstrate the appropriate use of a range of relevant vocabulary
Key Skills
  • By the end of the programme students will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate critical thinking
  • 2. Demonstrate effective communication using appropriate academic styles
  • 3. Demonstrate appropriate use of number
  • 4. Demonstrate the use of appropriate sources of evidence

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • This module will be delivered using a combination of lectures and seminars/tutorials on a weekly basis. Students will be taught concepts and then challenged to apply them in a variety of contextual tasks that are designed to lead to achieving the module outcomes.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lecture and Tutorial 10 weekly 2.5 hours 25
Preparation & Reading 75
Total 100

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Essay Plan 40% Essay Plan 100% Yes
Essay 60% Essay 100% yes

Formative Assessment

A range of formative tasks are used on a weekly basis to enable the demonstration of working towards module outcomes and building competency towards each respective summative assessment method


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.