In focus: key skills and concepts for sociology

This module, the first you take while studying with us at Plymouth, enables you to understand the perspective of professionals in the sociology field through the contribution of guest lecturers who engage in community development work. This module uses hands-on teaching practices that will encourage you to think about key sociological themes, such as inequality, by taking you out of the classroom and conducting research in Plymouth.

You will scrutinise published research focused on poverty, deprivation and various aspects of cultural and social policy. At the end of the module you will walk away with a range of new sociological skills, a sound knowledge base and feel like an important part of the course. You will have produced a large poster that will be displayed at various sociology events, including our open days.

During the field trip you will collect your own ethnographic data (observational notes and photographs) and set these against published statistical data sources to explore health and wellbeing, housing, culture, deprivation and community in an area of Plymouth. You will then use this data to produce a poster, presentation and portfolio of your work, completing your first module within the first four weeks of study.

In order to ease your transition into university life you will undertake intense, focused group work in your personal tutor groups. Throughout the module you will work alongside your personal tutor, which helps you settle into the course and the flow of higher education. Additionally your personal tutor will work with you throughout the first two years of your studies, offering you support with developing study skills and academic literacies.