Social Sciences (Politics & Policy/Sociology & Policy/Sociology)

OVERVIEW
SOCIAL JUSTICE, POWER AND INEQUALITIES ARE THE CENTRAL THEMES OF THE UWS BA (HONS) IN SOCIAL SCIENCES.
The first two years of this programme equip you with a firm grounding in the essential disciplines of politics, policy and sociology. After this, you can choose to follow one of three specialist pathways:
• Politics and Policy
• Sociology and Policy
• Sociology
Investigating social and political change, you will explore both how we understand society and how we can change it for the better, developing your critical thinking alongside a wide range of research and transferable skills that are highly valued by the public, private and voluntary sectors.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
• You will investigate the driving forces behind and potential solutions to complex local and global challenges in society, using a range of theoretical lenses and research methods.
• Specialist pathways will provide you with the opportunity for in-depth exploration of social issues such as activism, migration, gender, nationalism, and international relations.
• You will develop your understanding and experience of social sciences as a creative problem solver, drawing on cutting-edge research, policy analysis and evaluation.
• You will work with expert academic staff by choosing your own preferred course theme, completing an in-depth independent research project in your Honours year.
CAREERS
Graduates from UWS’s BA (Hons) Social Sciences programme are equipped with highly sought-after skills, entering careers in:
• Politics, such as working as or with elected representatives
• Public services, such as housing and planning
• Policy and academic research
• Health and social care
• Private sector employment
• Teaching in primary and secondary schools
You will be well positioned to undertake further study at Masters level, including UWS programmes such as:
• MSc Applied Social Science
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• MSc Policy Analysis and Global Governance

Course Modules

Year one
Term 1:
You will be introduced to social science disciplines by developing your ‘sociology imagination’ and understandings of the key issues in modern society such as social class, gender identity and gender inequality, masculinity, health and race and ethnicity. You will also be introduced to research and academic skills and competences. Your modules will include:
• ASPIRE
• Introducing Sociology
• Introduction to Social Research
• Making the Modern World
Term 2:
You will learn about the world of social sciences research and will be introduced to the study of politics as well as the critical role of policy in supporting employment, health and education.
Your modules will include:
• ASPIRE
• Introduction to Social Research
• Democracy in the UK
• Development of Social Policy

Year two
Term 1:
In second year, you will deepen your engagement with the key debates in social sciences. Core modules will equip you with knowledge of comparative politics and the classical works of social and political thought. You will also develop your qualitative research skills and knowledge. Your modules will include:
• Foundations of Qualitative Research
• Comparative Politics
• Foundations of Social and Political Thought
Term 2:

The core modules will address questions of global society and will focus on the relationship between social policy and social change. You will further develop your research skills by undertaking foundations to quantitative research. Your modules will include:
• Global Society
• Social Policy and Social Change
• Foundations of Quantitative Research

Year three
Starting from Year 3, you can choose a specialist pathway in: Sociology; Politics and Policy; or Sociology and Policy. In addition, you will develop your research skills and knowledge to hone your research practice ahead of your final year dissertation.

Term 1:
You will be required to choose three modules from the following:
• Data Analysis for Social Science (we strongly advise students to select this module if they are planning to collect empirical data for their dissertation)
• Contemporary Issues and Policy Responses (Policy)
• Gender in Society (Sociology)
• Capitalism Culture and Celebrity (Sociology)
• Scottish Society (Politics and Policy)
• American Politics and Policy (Politics and Policy)
• Work, Welfare and Society (Sociology and Policy)
Term 2:
Designing Your Dissertation Project (core module)
You will be required to choose two modules from the following:
• Ethnicity, Racism and Social Relations (Sociology)
• Art, Culture and Society (Sociology)
• Environmental Damage, Policy and Justice (Policy)
• Democracy and European Political Parties (Politics)
• Contemporary German Politics (Politics)
*Please note that the selection of modules may occasionally change

Year four (Honours)
In your Honours year you will undertake your independent research project (a 40-credit dissertation). You will be supported by staff in using the methods skills that you have developed throughout the course to explore, in depth, the programme theme that has most interested you. In addition, you will increase the range of your specialist knowledge by choosing from a variety of electives.
Term 1:
Social Sciences Dissertation (40 credits; Term 1 and Term 2)
Plus two modules from:
• Social Activism and Social Justice (Sociology and Policy)
• Making Sustainable Cities (Policy)
• Education Politics and Policy (Politics and Policy)
• Participation and Democracy (Politics)
Term 2:
Social Sciences Dissertation (40 credits; Term 1 and Term 2)
Plus two modules from:
• Embodiment of Social Inequality (Sociology)
• British and Irish Political History since WW2 (Sociology and Politics)
• Migration, State and Society (Sociology and Policy)
• Nationalism (Sociology and Politics)
• Parliamentary Studies (Politics)

https://psmd.uws.ac.uk/UWS/Programme-Specifications/Undergraduate/Education-and-Social-Sciences/BA (Hons) Social Sciences.pdf

The Social Sciences programme offers students a variety of formative and summative assessments, ranging from traditional exams and essays to case studies, group and individual presentations, real life scenarios (e.g. policy briefs, research proposals) or policy analysis and evaluation. These assessments allow you to demonstrate your development of the following: subject knowledge and understanding in politics, policy and sociology; applied knowledge, skills and understanding; generic cognitive skills; communication, ICT and numeracy skills; and autonomy, accountability and skills in working with others.