Social and Political Studies (Combined Studies) – BA (Hons)

About the course

This course is centered around the study of Politics and Sociology. Most of the modules on the Degree programme are drawn from these two fields. In addition, students are able to study other related areas (e.g. Economics, History) and take modules from the other degree programmes offered by TILL.

Students on the degree will explore in depth the issues behind many of today's headlines. Should students in higher education be paying up to £9,000 a year in tuition fees? Can we differentiate between just and unjust wars? Is globalisation undermining the institutions of democracy? Does the coalition government represent a new kind of politics? Does prison work? Questions such as these are the lifeblood of politics and sociology.

Looked at as a whole, the degree programme aims to provide students with a detailed knowledge of the theories, concepts,
approaches and methods used in Politics and Sociology; to encourage students to think critically about the nature of social
and political relationships, ideas and institutions; and to develop an awareness and understanding of the way in which sociological and political theories, concepts and approaches relate to contemporary problems and issues.

Another key aim of the programme is to assist students in the development of various important skills. These include those necessary for further study (e.g., research skills), those relevant to personal development (e.g., critical and self-reflexive thinking) and those regarded as important by employers (e.g., self-organisation and time-management; data collection, synthesis and analysis; written and verbal communication; team-working and independent initiative).

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Examples of modules

Level 1

• Modern British Politics*
• Political Ideologies*
• Sociology*
• Welfare and Citizenship*
• Getting Started with Research*
• International History
• State and Economy
• The Making of Culture
• Study Skills in Higher Education

Level 2

• Key Issues in Criminology*
• Aspects of Social and Political Theory*
• Research Methods*
• Independent Research Project*
• Sociology of Education
• History of Political Ideas
• International Politics
• Visions of a Better World
• Professional Development
• Career Management Skills

Level 3

• Dissertation 1 and 2*
• Political Sociology*
• Globalisation*
• Recent Research Review*
• The Politics of Ireland
• Sociolinguistics
• Making Ideas Happen

* Indicates core module

Some credits may be taken at each level from any other of the degree programmes offered by TILL or from other departments. Not all modules are available every year.

Module descriptions (PDF, 258KB)

Entry requirements

General TILL entry requirements

Contact

Dr Darren Webb
T: 0114 222 7084
E: d.webb@sheffield.ac.uk

How is the degree taught?

For all Social and Political Studies modules, classes are held one evening per week for a period of 12 weeks. The classes generally combine lectures and seminars, with the emphasis being placed on group discussion and debate. Individual support is offered
in the form of one-to-one tutorials with the module tutor.

Outside the classes and tutorials, students are expected to engage in independent study, e.g., reading and reflecting upon books, handouts and other sources, preparing for seminars and completing assignments.

How long will it take to complete?

The degree is structured to allow students to study flexibly. In order to be eligible for a fees loan you will need to study a minimum
of 30 credits each year, but beyond this there is no set number of modules that you have to study. You can go as slowly or as quickly as you like. This means that you could complete the degree in four years (compared to three years for a full-time student), although most students do choose to take a little longer (five years is normal).

What if you leave before completing the degree?

You can still gain qualifications even if you don’t complete the whole degree programme. Students successfully completing the required modules to Level 1, but not wishing to progress to Level 2 will be awarded a Certificate and those who complete modules to Level 2, but do not wish to progress to Level 3 will be awarded the Diploma in Social and Political Studies (Combined Studies).

What kind of jobs will this course prepare you for?

A degree in Social and Political Studies opens up a wide range of possible career paths, from social and community work to broadcast media, from public sector administration to marketing and sales, and from teaching to social research.

A large number of graduates find employment as managers and professionals within the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Within the public sector, a degree in Social and Political Studies provides a good grounding for work as a community development worker, education officer, housing officer, advice worker, counsellor, probation officer and social worker.

During the course of a degree in Social and Political Studies, students will engage with many major issues of concern for society, applying academic theories and concepts to the critical and analytical study of real world events, processes and institutions.

A sensitivity to the complexity and diversity of social situations, and the ability to critically analyse common issues of concern, are highly valued by employers.

The degree develops a range of other highly-valued critical and analytical skills: the ability to make reasoned evidence- based arguments; to formulate, investigate and analyse solutions to problems; to summarise, clearly and concisely, complex and detailed ideas and data; to subject complex ideas and data to critical scrutiny, identifying weaknesses, errors, inconsistencies and contradictions.

In addition to these, the degree in Social and Political Studies will develop research skills, interpersonal awareness, creativity, flexibility, written and verbal communication skills, and skills related to self-organisation and time-management, team-working and self-directed study.

How to apply

You can apply online using our application form.

If you are applying to one of our named awards (Certificate, Degree, Foundation degree) we will usually invite you for an informal interview to discuss your programme of study and module choices.

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