BASS Social Anthropology and Philosophy

Disciplined enquiry: the range of approaches to researching a social problem (in particular social inequality) in the social sciences.

THIS COURSE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO BA (Hons) SOCIAL SCIENCES STUDENTS.

• to introduce students to a variety of different kinds of social science research
• to equip students with the skills to summarise and critically evaluate empirical social research
• to develop students' skills to use the resources of the library to identify research literature relevant to a particular topic
• to examine the research process, from problem formulation to disseminating results
• to gain a comparative understanding of different disciplinary approaches to a particular social problem

On completion of this unit, successful students will be able to:

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Student are expected to:

• gain a greater awareness of the range of social science approaches, including their strengths and limitations
• identify some of the multiple ways that social scientists construct theoretical arguments
• understand how social science research is both used and misused
• gain knowledge on the various theoretical and methodological approaches social scientists have in relation to the specific theme of 'social inequality'.

PRACTICAL SKILLS

Students are expected to:

• construct a bibliography
• reference written work appropriately
• use library resources effectively
• construct an argument in written form

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES

Students are expected to:

• communicate effectively both in writing and orally when summarising arguments
• differentiate between strong and weak arguments
• work effectively in small groups in tutorials
• learn to read critically

Lectures - including Study Skills classes - and tutorials.

• 2 x 400 Word tasks (25%);
• 1 x 1,500 word final essay (75%);

You will receive informal verbal feedback continuously throughout the course from your tutor within tutorials. Students are also invited to make office hour appointments with their lecturers to receive feedback and discuss their progress.

Bryman, Alan (2008) (3rd edition) Social Research Methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gilbert, Nigel, ed. (2008) Researching Social Life, (3rd edition), London: Sage

Information
Length of Course: 11 weeks