BA (Honours) in Social Sciences (Sociology) Open University

This is one of several specialist routes available in our BA (Honours) Social Sciences (R23) degree. Alongside the study of interdisciplinary social sciences, you’ll have the opportunity to explore how sociologists make sense of social worlds, investigating topical issues such as immigration, social networking, and adolescent mental health. On completion of your degree, you’ll be able to apply social theories and analytical techniques to a variety of topics that affect individuals and society. You’ll also acquire transferable skills highly valued by employers – opening up employment opportunities in private, public and voluntary sector organisations.

Key features of the course

• Specialise in sociology within a broad interdisciplinary social science degree.
• Learn how to apply cutting edge sociological ideas to a broad range of real-world situations.
• Enhance your employability with valued skills that include evaluating evidence, and communicating specialist ideas and information to different audiences.
• Develop skills in independent working and apply these in an extended essay based on a literature-based research project.
• Relevant to careers where critical analysis is at a premium or involves understanding the workings of society.

Accessibility

We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The BA (Honours) Social Sciences uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:

• studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
• face-to-face tutorials/day schools/workshops and/or online tutorials
• working in a group with other students
• finding external/third party material online
• continuous and end-of-module assessment in the form of essays, short answer questions, and in some cases an examination
• using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance
• engagement with learning and assessment within a pre-determined schedule or timetable – time management will be needed during your studies and the University will help you to develop these skills throughout your degree.

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills

The level and depth of your learning gradually increase as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Course details

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• You’ll start Stage 1 with an introductory social science module exploring the issues facing contemporary society. This will give you a solid grounding in sociological and a range of other social scientific ideas. You’ll then choose between a second interdisciplinary social science module or being introduced to crime and criminal justice.
• Next, at Stages 2 and 3, you'll study specialist sociology modules as well as choose from modules in criminology and religious studies, all of which have a high level of sociology content and will extend your sociological knowledge and understanding.