Transcript BSc (Hons) Sociology - Plymouth University

BSc (Hons) Sociology
Dr Mike Sheaff
Prof Alison Anderson/Prof Sheena
Asthana
Why study Sociology?
Why Sociology at Plymouth?
Real World Research by Real World Sociologists
Individuals,
Relationships,
Communities, Society,
The World
Teaching & Learning
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What will I study?
How will I be taught?
What can I expect from staff?
What is expected of me?
Where does Plymouth Sociology appear
in ‘league tables’ – and why do they
differ?
Key points
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A strong emphasis on building student learning around theoretical,
methodological and transferable skills etc.
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Access to extensive electronic resources
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e-journals
Module information, reading lists etc.
Module sites to organise these resources, including lecture
notes/slides and other material.
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Introducing electronic submission of assessment and feedback
systems to support student learning and development/progress.
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Lectures, seminars, workshops/practicals, and small tutorial groups
Explore the Social World
Strong emphasis on first hand experience & analysis of the social world:
Field Study visits – embedded in specific courses
•Core element in first year – in the South West
•Optional field trip in third year (West Africa)
Students
•develop an understanding of local societies/cultures
• analyse these within broader regional, national & international contexts
•design and undertake their own empirical social research projects
Local and Global
Strong emphasis on international comparative sociology within the curriculum,
with particular focus on global issues of poverty, injustice and inequality
‘Modules have a focus on global issues that affect the future of
humankind and display a wonderful sense of public sociology’
[External Examiner, 2010-11]
Opportunities to study abroad
Teaching and Research
Major strength – the way research underpins our teaching
Research-informed teaching embedded in core & optional
courses from first year through to final year
75% research internationally recognised (last RAE)
Strong focus on policy research: in health, media, gender,
families & rural deprivation.
Staff involved in regional, national & international collaborations
Strong national profile within Sociology –staff hold leading
roles in British Sociological Association
Real World Research:
Examples from the Field
• Professor Sheena Asthana
• Professor Alison Anderson
Director: Professor Gayle Letherby
• multi-disciplinary
• vibrant research culture
• focus on innovation and enterprise
Three Research Centres:
Centre for Methodological Innovations
Director: Professor John Scott
Culture, Community and Society
Director: Professor Alison Anderson
Centre for Health and Social Care Innovation
Director: Professor Ruth Endacott
Commodifying Nature:
Celebrity News as a Vehicle for
Social Change?
Professor Alison Anderson
Celebrities – A New Charismatic
Megafauna?
Celebrities as familiar strangers
Murdoch’s Conversion
“The climate problem will not be solved without mass
participation by the general public in countries around the
globe. And that's where we come in… We can set an example,
and we can reach our audiences. .. We want to inspire people
to change their behaviour… For too long, the threats of climate
change have been presented as doom and gloom-- because the
consequences are so serious. We need to do what our
company does best: make this issue exciting. Tell the story in a
new way... there are limits to how far we can push this issue in
our content… We must avoid preaching. And there has to be
substance behind the glitz… And when so many of the
solutions make sense for us as a business, it is clear that we
should take action not only as a matter of public responsibility,
but because we stand to benefit.” (Murdoch, 2007)
http://www.newscorp.com/energy/full_speech.html
A Student’s View
I chose to do my degree at Plymouth for several reasons. Firstly out
of all the Universities I visited, Plymouth had the most friendly and
inviting atmosphere. I had also heard that Plymouth had an excellent
reputation for the social sciences. I found the syllabus offered
interesting and the department staff really helpful and passionate
about their subject. I was impressed with the fact that the department
staff actively participate in their own research in their individual
specialist areas - which I felt gave them broader and more up to date
knowledge.
Overall, going to Plymouth was a brilliant experience, I met a lot of
great people and doing the course I did has opened up a lot of doors
for me. It taught me many new skills and certainly broadened my
horizons.’
Georgina Pacey – former BSc Sociology student
Entry Requirements
GCSE Mathematics & English – Grade C or above
A Level / AS Level – 260-300 (including a minimum
of 160 points from 2 A Levels or a Double Award)
Access to HE – QAA Recognised
International Baccalaureate - 26
Top Two Champions for Global Warming
Globally and in Live Earth Countries
Nielson Online Survey, 2007 ‘Climate Change and Influential Spokespeople’
Influential Actors with the Under 25s
Johnny Depp
solar-hydrogen
powered home
Leonardo DiCaprio
Producer and narrator
in the film ‘The 11th Hour’
Climate Change in the News
The Rise of Politicised
Celebrities in the News
Source: Boykoff, M. & Goodman, M. 2009: 398.
Live Earth
Celebrity endorsements do not automatically translate into
wider cultural acceptance of a political message.
A Student’s View
• I chose to do my degree at Plymouth for several reasons. Firstly
out of all the Universities I visited, Plymouth had the most friendly
and inviting atmosphere. I had also heard that Plymouth had an
excellent reputation for the social sciences. I found the syllabus
offered interesting and the department staff really helpful and
passionate about their subject. I was impressed with the fact that
the department staff actively participate in their own research in
their individual specialist areas - which I felt gave them broader
and more up to date knowledge.
• Overall, going to Plymouth was a brilliant experience, I met a lot
of great people and doing the course I did has opened up a lot of
doors for me. It taught me many new skills and certainly
broadened my horizons.’
• Georgina Pacey – former BSc Sociology student
A Student’s View
I chose to do my degree at Plymouth for several reasons. Firstly out
of all the Universities I visited, Plymouth had the most friendly and
inviting atmosphere. I had also heard that Plymouth had an excellent
reputation for the social sciences. I found the syllabus offered
interesting and the department staff really helpful and passionate
about their subject. I was impressed with the fact that the department
staff actively participate in their own research in their individual
specialist areas - which I felt gave them broader and more up to date
knowledge.
Overall, going to Plymouth was a brilliant experience, I met a lot of
great people and doing the course I did has opened up a lot of doors
for me. It taught me many new skills and certainly broadened my
horizons.’
Georgina Pacey – former BSc Sociology student
Entry Requirements
GCSE Mathematics & English – Grade C or above
A Level / AS Level – 260-300 (including a minimum of
160 points from 2 A Levels or a Double Award)
Access to HE – QAA Recognised
International Baccalaureate - 26
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