Social Science BA(Hons)

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Course structure

The syllabus consists of core modules which teach you a pragmatist approach to social science including the foundations of sociological theory, linking social policy theory from practice and research, and focusing on debates across the social sciences.

Option modules allow you to specialise in areas that reflect your personal interests and aspirations. You can focus on a particular area, such as criminology, social policy, psychology and sociology, or you can follow modules across the social sciences.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up-to-date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you will be told about any new developments through Student View.

You'll develop new ways of thinking about the social world by exploring diverse perspectives on the relationship between the individual and society. You will be encouraged to ask questions about social situations, challenge assumptions and base decisions on evidence.

You have the opportunity to go on placement with a voluntary or community organisation in your second year. You will learn to link theoretical and practical approaches to question the social world. Key areas of study include social policy and welfare, contemporary social inequalities, foundations of sociology, theorising the social world, global social policy, introduction to research methods, researching social and cultural life and the dissertation module.

You’ll learn through a variety of methods including lectures, seminars, workshops, student presentations, group work, independent activities, individual and group tutorials, and through research and personal development activities.

Year 1

Year 1 will introduce you to sociology and its application, social policy, social welfare and social inequalities. You will also learn about how social scientists conduct their research and further the knowledge base of their respective disciplines.

Modules

Core modules

• Introduction to Researching Social and Cultural Life

  The module introduces you to the range of research methods used in the social sciences and will enable you to develop the skills necessary to collect and analyse both quantitative and qualitative data.

• Contemporary Social Inequalities

  This module will provide you with the theoretical and conceptual tools to confront normative/normalising explanations of difference and inequality. You'll understand the ways that ‘differences’ and inequalities are formed and their consequences for everyday lived realities.

• Social Policy and Social Welfare

  This module introduces you to the study of social policy and to main components of the welfare state. Focusing on service provision, it broadens an understanding of the complexity of the formation and implementation of social policy within the UK, noting and discussing the policy divergences which have occurred since devolution.

  The module will embrace a wide and inclusive understanding of the subject in a way that will engage and challenge your thinking.

• Foundations of Sociology

  This module will equip you with an understanding of traditional sociological theory and its applications today. You'll be introduced to the foundations of sociology including key thinkers, key debates, and main theoretical perspectives.

  The module will examine the development of classical ideas and the continued relevance for different sociological perspectives throughout the twentieth century. Recent challenges to traditional sociological theory will also be examined and assessed.

Options*

• Developmental Psychology

  The module will introduce you to key theories and topics in child development and lifespan development. You'll examine issues from infancy through middle-childhood to adulthood to explore how people develop through time. The module provides an historical, biological, social and cultural context for studying child development, and life-span development to help you frame the theoretical perspectives presented.

• Sociological Imaginations

  This module will introduce you to contemporary ‘sociological imaginations’ of the social world and will give you the opportunity to apply sociological theories and concepts to contemporary topics. You'll develop your ability to think sociologically, by first understanding key sociological concepts and then exploring how these are applied in contemporary sociological research examples.

• Introduction to Applied Psychology

  You will be introduced to the basic approaches and theories within psychology and consider issues of application in the field.

• Criminal Justice Matters

  This module will introduce you to the criminal justice system in England and Wales by exploring its main institutions and agencies: eg. police, courts, prison and probation. You'll explore some of the key debates and policies in relation to sentencing, victims and crime prevention. You will gain an understanding of the politics and controversies in criminal justice and develop your skills in identifying, analysing information and presenting coherent arguments.

• Theories of Crime

  On this module you will examine criminological theories from an historical perspective, and gain an understanding of the political, social and cultural context in which different theories were developed, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their current application.

• Comparative Political Systems

  On this module you will be introduced to some of the key features of politics including institutions, political actors and political processes. You'll identify the most important political hallmarks, for example: the legislature, the executive, political parties, and electoral processes, in at least two contemporary states that illustrate democratic, partially democratic, or/and authoritarian political systems. You'll also be introduced to political concepts, such as power and the state, in order to analyse and compare those political systems.

• Political Ideas

  This module gives a broad overview of the academic study of politics. You'll focus on core concepts of political science and political theory, and then apply those to political processes, institutions, ideologies and the nature of political change. You'll cover the core conceptual material needed for more advanced study in politics, and also be introduced to ideas and approaches that can be applied in other social sciences.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Year 2

In your second year you'll be able to choose the subjects that interest you most through option modules.

Community Engagement: Theory into Practice gives you the chance to do a voluntary work placement with a local organisation. It is an opportunity to put your knowledge and skills into practice and to gain insight into working life.

Core modules

• Researching Social and Cultural Life
• Theorising the Social World

Options*

• Community Engagement: Theory into Practice OR Critical Analysis OR (if undertaking study abroad) Sociology Skills Plus
• Sociology and the Life Course
• Global Cultures
• Critical Perspectives on Criminal Justice
• Policing and Society
• Mobilisation, Movements and Protest
• Psychology, Mental Health and Distress
• Punishment, Power and the State
• Authorities, Justice and Democracy
• Nations and Nationalism
• UK Politics
• International Institutions

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Final year

The final year dissertation is your opportunity to analyse a topic of interest at length. The rest of the curriculum consists largely of option modules allowing you further room to specialise.

Core modules

• Dissertation
• Global Social Policy

Global Social Policy is designed to help you learn about contemporary developments and challenges for human wellbeing on a global level. Drawing on concepts and theories from across the social sciences, it covers three main themes: globalisation and welfare; globalisation and social problems; and governance and solutions.

Sociology Topic 1 and 2 allow you to choose from the final year options of the Sociology BA(Hons).

Options*

• Sociology Topic 1
• Critical Community Psychology
• Sociology Topic 2
• Contemporary Studies in Crime and Justice
• Violence and Society
• Care Ethics and Social Policy
• Ecopsychology
• Cyberpsychology
• Mental Disorder and Anthropology
• Psychology of Poverty
• Sexualities
• Society and Outer Space 
• Class and Power
• Sociology of Globalisation
• Death and Society
• Race and Equality
• Childhood and Society
• Utopian Theory and Practice
• Human Rights 
• Education and Society 
• Race and Immigration 
• Sociology of Parenting 
• Class and Conflict in Contemporary Britain 
• Sex and Society
• Radical Political Economy and Anarchist Politics
• Politics of the Middle East
• Politics of the Right
• Race and International Relations

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Lab facilities

Mithras House is home to all our School of Humanities and Social Science courses. It has a series of ‘labs’, which may be used for teaching on your course or in your independent research work.

Life lab
A comfortable space with lounge furniture intended for qualitative research with larger groups. Due to its relaxed layout and naturalistic environment, the space is suited to research using focus groups, research using observation-based methods and child research.

The space is also used for teaching on some social science courses, as well as for dissertation research for projects.
 
City lab
A space designed for collaborative student learning. It is used by students and staff involved in the university’s Global Challenges programme, our collective mission to contribute towards solutions to tackling the pressing issues facing our world.

Design lab
A space housing our extensive collection of historic dress and textiles, which are used in some teaching on our History of Art and Design courses. It has the space and equipment to work on textile projects. Displays created by students on these programmes are on view in the social spaces of the building.

Stats lab
A specialist workspace with computing equipment for statistical analysis and projects involving video and audio editing software. The lab is accessible as a study space to students on psychology courses. 

It is also available to students studying courses involving video and audio recording and editing, such as politics degrees and our creative writing programmes. The stats lab contains eight soundproof booths for recording or transcribing interviews undertaken as part of dissertation research.  

VR and eye tracking lab
This lab is used for psychological research, specifically eye-tracking research and virtual reality research. Equipment includes an electroencephalography (EEG) headset and Electrodermal Activity (EDA) equipment.

Placements

In your second year the Community Engagement option module offers the opportunity to engage with a local not-for-profit organisation and gain valuable hands-on experience. It is a great opportunity to develop your vocational skills and gain practical work experience while contributing to the wider community. 

You will spend around 50 hours volunteering with an organisation, often working with vulnerable people, in sometimes challenging situations. This will be supported and underpinned by organisational training, tutor support and by in-class teaching covering theories of community engagement, organisational structure and culture, and reflective learning.  

We will help you find a placement that is right for you from the range of local organisations who choose to work with our students. 

You will benefit from guest lectures delivered by external speakers drawn from the wider community. You will also produce a portfolio where you will reflect on your experiences and learning, with reference to practice examples and reflective theory. 

The module includes CV design, working on applications and interviews, developing reflective learning skills and time management. Making an active contribution to the local community during your course will not only help you to better society but will also improve your knowledge and look great on your CV.

During the placement you could be carrying out a piece of consultancy or gaining practical experience in a specific context relating to an area of possible future work.    

Previous students have had placements with organisations including:

• CCHF All About Kids
• Centre for Ecotherapy
• Connect
• Samaritans
• MS Society
• Fresh Start
• Alzheimer's Society
• Sussex Prisoners’ Families
• Age UK
• YMCA
• MindOut
• Trust for Developing Communities
• Healthwatch Brighton & Hove

Meet the team

Stephanie Fleischer, course leader

"I am a great believer in bridging the gaps between subjects, and in the social sciences we refer to various disciplines, theories and perspectives which highlight the complexity of social issues.

"I have been teaching research methods for many years, which are a central part of the social science degree: findings not only provide answers to phenomena in society but also raise new questions about the world we live in."

Other members of the teaching team include:

• Dr Steven Brown, sociologist
• Dr Kyla Ellis-Sloan, sociologist
• Dr Hannah Thurston, criminologist
• Dr Kerry Fox, psychologist

Course fees

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2024–25.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

Campus where this course is taught

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